We're Obsessed With These Retro Gaming Home Arcade Machines

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We bet you’ve always wanted a vintage commercial arcade cabinet at home but their prohibitive cost is well outside your budget. Thanks to a handful of companies creating real-deal replicas, it’s possible to relive playing games like Galaga, Mortal Combat, and Tron on home arcade machines with price tags in the hundreds, not thousands. Owning an authentic machine loaded up with bona fide video game royalty has never been more accessible.

Much like pool tables and ping-pong tables, these arcade machines are seeing an uptick in popularity. With glowing screens, joysticks, and colorful graphics, the cabinets take you right back to your local arcade (minus the static shock of the old CTR TV screens).

We compiled a list of every option you might want as a nostalgic monument to the golden age of video games. Read on for our favorite arcade machines—all for $1,000 or less—with more than half of our picks under $500 and a few countertop models as low as $150.

The Best Home Arcade Machines

• Best Overall Arcade Machine: Class of 81’ Deluxe Arcade Machine

• Best Arcade Table: Ms. Pac-Man 40th Anniversary Arcade Table

• Best Digital Pinball Machine: William Bally Attack From Mars Pinball Machine

• Best Bartop Arcade Machine: Classic Bartop Home Arcade Machine

• Best Value Arcade Machine: Street Fighter Arcade Machine

What to Consider

Type

Within the home arcade machine category, you’ll find classic arcade cabinets with full-size screens and“cocktail” tables—some higher-end models offer two-player seating— for head-to-head matchups. Smaller wall-mounted cabinets are great space-savers for rec rooms and bartop (or counter-cade) versions are designed to be portable.

There are also a few digital pinball machines that include real-feel features, like tilt and nudge, haptic touch flippers with feedback, and working plungers. All have coinless operation and are made for one, two, or four players.

Number of Games

Some arcade machines feature around one to three games, whereas others have a game count in the hundreds or even thousands. Keep in mind that the graphics on cabinets typically show only one or two of the games included—usually the most popular, like Pac-Man or Galaga, for example. While game count obviously plays a key factor in your consideration, make sure above all else the arcade machine has games you actually want to play. An arcade machine with three games you love versus one with hundreds of games you won’t play is always more valuable.

Build

While commercial-grade arcade machines can cost upwards of $2,000, the home-grade options we write about are faithful to the original consoles and feature reproductions of original artwork and quality builds, plus full-size color LCD screens that are 17 or 19 inches. Most of the cabinets require some assembly and include an anti-tip strap for safety, and some come with extras, like stools and metal wall signs. Some specific options also offer assembly services and long-term warranties.

Size

There are full-size arcade cabinets that are just under 6 feet tall and three-quarter-size arcade cabinets that are roughly 4 feet tall (many come with risers to extend height 1 foot). Head-to-head tables average 29 inches high (and are made to be played while seated), and wall-mounted and countertop cabinets range from 17 to 29 inches tall.

How We Selected

Our final selections for this list came down to a few key factors. We paid close attention to the number of games, the size of the arcades, and of course the design. We also took into account the quality of the hardware itself, and made sure our picks had strong exterior structures and clear, LCD screens. We primarily considered options from three companies turning out the new generation of cabinets: Arcade1Up, AtGames, and Doc & Pies Arcade Factory. We tried to choose a wide selection of arcade machines in every type. We also chose options across a range of prices, though kept all choices on this list at $1,000 or less.

Looking for more gaming fun? Check out or stories on the best PS5 games, the best Xbox games, and the best Nintendo Switch games.

ARCADE MACHINES

Class of 81’ Deluxe Arcade Machine

At every skate rink, laser tag arena, and pizza palace, this arcade machine has reliably been there, ready to play with just a few quarters. The Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga combination is second to none when it comes to replay-able fun, while the exterior design provides all the same nostalgia and 80s beauty.

The LCD screen offers a clearer, smoother picture than the original models while the internal program offers a total of 12 games from the early 80s boom. This includes DigDug, Rompers, Rally-X, and even the second iteration to the classic, Galaga ’88. As a start to your collection, very few arcade machines give as much.

Street Fighter Arcade Machine

Wind back the clock and remember your combos. This arcade machine comes with three different versions of Street Fighter II, so you can play out every character combination across multiple releases. The arcade machine mostly stands out due to its specialization.

Similar to classic machines, this model comes with sturdy joysticks and six buttons per player, so you can actually combo like the creators intended. Each set of buttons is color-coded so you can easily differentiate the three distinctive levels of power in your punches and kicks without looking at the labels.

The front frame of the arcade machine comes with the small square portraits of iconic characters, so you can take a look at your hall of potential fighters before you even press start.

The Simpsons Arcade Machine

This four-player arcade machine transports you to Springfield where you can play as Bart, Marge, Homer, and Lisa, and encounter The Simpsons'most memorable characters. The cabinet is also loaded with Simpsons Bowling for a night out with the family.

The arcade machine also comes Wi-Fi-equipped for joining other Simpsons fans playing on their own cabinets.

The machine features a 17-inch color LCD screen with a 4:3 aspect ratio, a lit marquee and custom riser, a molded coin door, and adjustable volume. It also comes with a matching stool and tin wall sign. So, buying this arcade helps decorate and furnish whichever room it ends up installed in.

X-Men Arcade Machine

The four-player X-Men arcade machine has all the best features found on Arcade1Up's cabinets, including a lighted marquee and deck protector, double coin doors and a graphic kickplate, and a riser, plus it's Wi-Fi-enabled for you to play against other gamers. There's also a coordinating adjustable chrome-plated stool with dense foam cushioning.

Other highlights include adjustable volume, an on-screen game selection menu, and an anti-tip over strap. In addition to X-Men, the arcade machine is loaded up with two other Marvel games: Captain America and the Avengers and The Avengers in Galactic Storm.

Big Buck Hunter Pro Deluxe Arcade Machine

Relive the glory days at your local honky tonk dive bar by taking home the true cornerstone of every great local establishment: Big Buck Hunter. This arcade machine comes with more than just the average hunting experience. In fact, you can track down wild animals across four different Big Buck games all on the same device.

What has always made Big Buck Hunter games so popular is how interactive the gameplay is. Instead of traditional joysticks, buttons or wireless video game controllers, users pick up a classic hunting rifle and head straight into the woods. This version of the game is no exception as both player one and player two have their own respective rifles in different colors.

The arcade cabinet comes loaded with Big Buck Hunter Pro, Big Buck Safari, Big Buck Hunter Open Season, and Big Buck Safari Outback.

PAC-Man Deluxe Arcade Machine

When you picture an arcade machine in your head, it almost certainly has Pac-Man playing on the screen. This arcade machine takes the classic game and gives it the exterior design it deserves. This arcade machine comes with 14 different games programmed in.

Alongside Pac-Man, the system comes with multiple sequels and improvements like Pac-Man Plus, Super Pac-Man, and Pacmania. It also comes with several other games like Galaga, DigDug, and Rolling Thunder.

The front display also comes with a full set of instructions and point values, so even beginners can hop on the machine and start racking up high scores.

COCKTAIL TABLES AND PINBALL MACHINES

Marvel vs. Capcom Arcade Table

With a split-screen design, this cocktail table arcade machine is built to play with friends. Like the design suggests, the table is loaded up with fighting games including the now iconic Marvel vs. Capcom. It also comes with Marvel vs. Street Fighter a several other popular fighting game titles to round out the bunch.

The head-to-head look also means your opponent can never try and cheat by looking at your combos as they happen to counter your movement.

What makes this arcade table extra nice is the water and leakproof top. So, as you play against your friends, both of you can place drinks on the table without fear that a spill will short circuit the entire game.

Ms. Pac-Man 40th Anniversary Arcade Table

This 40th anniversary edition arcade table’s star is none other than the adorable bow-wearing Ms. Pac-Man. The artwork on the side of the table comes straight from the original arcade machines in the 80s, and the rest of the cocktail table is themed with a similar flourish.

After you tire of running away from Pinky, Inky, Blinky, and Sue, switch over to head-to-head action playing one of the other 11 games, which includes arcade classics like Galaga '88, Galaxian, and Dig Dug.

The arcade table features a 17-inch color LCD screen and clear protective covers over the top and control decks, plus there are speakers on each side and the volume is adjustable.

Pac-Man Arcade Machine

Sit down and get comfortable for hours of head-to-head arcade action with this Pac-Man table, loaded up with 12 titles including Galaxian, Super Pac-Man, Pac & Pal, and Rolling Thunder, plus Dig Dug and Dig Dug II.

The arcade machine features a 17-inch color LCD screen and speakers with adjustable volume on both players' sides, along with clear panels on the top and control decks.

Similar to other Arcade1Up options, this cocktail table arcade machine can be used to hold, as the name suggests, cocktails. Feel free to place your drink on top of it without interfering with gameplay. Any spills will also be safe, with a protective, spill-proof top keeping all important hardware away from liquids.

William Bally Attack From Mars Pinball Machine

If you want a true pinball experience without the added cost, weight, and blisteringly loud sounds, this digital option is the best choice. With all the classic design and style of an original device, this digital pinball machine still comes with many of the same features as a traditional device including haptic touch flippers and real tilt and nudge feeling.

While the pinball machine is covered with just one game on the exterior, much like other arcade machines mentioned, it actually comes with several other options programmed in. So, you can swap playfields and themes whenever you want.

These devices are only 3/4 scale of a traditional pinball machine so you can get all the fun in a far more compact frame.

Marvel Digital Pinball Machine

Swap all the theming for your favorite superheroes. This Marvel digital pinball machine comes with all the same mechanics and designs of the other Arcade1Up models, but with a superhero twist.

The Marvel exterior design and display aren’t just for show either. Each of the 10 pre-loaded gameplay programs comes with a distinct theme based on one of the comic book company’s many heroes and villains.

The pinball machine offers games and themes featuring Spider-Man, Venom, Wolverine, and the X-Men to name a few. It also has one featuring the widely known comic book run, Civil War.

BAR-TOP AND WALL-MOUNT MACHINES

Classic Bartop Home Arcade Machine

Small enough to place on a countertop or desk, but still built a full-size 19 inch screen. This bartop arcade machine offers the best of both worlds. The small size of the arcade machine makes it one of the few options that can be easily placed anywhere in your home.

The bartop arcade comes with a full exterior theme from the original Donkey Kong. Beyond avoiding barrels, the machine offers just about everything. Each of these bartop arcade machines comes with 60 different classic games, so you’ll never run out of new high scores to chase.

Pong Head-to-Head Countercade

Pong—near and dear to our hearts—was one of the earliest video games, released in 1972 by Atari. It's essentially table tennis, with way-old-school 2-D graphics (think: two rectangles, a center dotted line, and a circle, as the rackets, net, and ball).

This countertop version, which Arcade1Up calls a countercade, is true to the original game, but adds a stylish faux-woodgrain console with very-'70s stripes. It comes loaded with a total of five games, including Pong Doubles and Pong Sports, in addition to Super Breakout, and it features an 8-inch screen and headphone port.

Mortal Kombat Countercade

Take down your enemies with brutal Fatalities across three classic Mortal Kombat games on this bartop arcade machine. The device is fully decked out in wild portraits and full theming from the ever-popular Mortal Kombat II. This arcade machine also comes with large, full-size buttons in the same layout as you’d find on a traditional cabinet device, so the gameplay is nearly identical.

It also comes with printed on labels for every single button and joystick maneuver, so even if you are a completely new player to the game, you can start learning combos the second the game begins.

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