The 20 Best Modern Arcade Games, Ranked - The first knowledge sharing application in Vietnam

Arcades may not be as popular as they were in the past, but there are still some stellar games worth trying out there.

Visiting the local arcade to spend a couple of hours playing the coolest, new arcade games is something that many people enjoyed during their childhood. There’s something about the fun atmosphere, exciting graphics, and nostalgic vibes that have fans of arcade games continuing to visit to play. The latest and greatest best, new arcade games are still being released in arcades and are even being adapted for consoles and PC.

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Though the bulk of arcade games was invented back at the end of the past century, there are still new arcade games coming out that either continue the story of fan-favorite classic franchises or are games of new concepts entirely. With technology advancing and gaming getting more interactive than ever, players definitely need to hit up an arcade soon to have a blast playing some stunning modern games. Here are the best ones to look out for!

Updated December 8th, 2022, by Ritwik Mitra: There was a time when going to arcades was the most accessible way for many kids to try out video games for the first time. With home consoles becoming increasingly common over time, the idea of going to arcades slowly became obsolete until playing games in the comfort of one’s home became the norm. That being said, there’s always a bit of fun that friends and family can enjoy by going to an arcade and playing one of the many modern arcade games that have been released around that time, with the best of the bunch being mentioned below.

Jurassic Park Arcade

Released in 2015, this game really hones in on the classic point-and-shoot style of arcade gaming that came out of the ’80s and ’90s.

Though the graphics are pretty rough, and the quality of the game itself doesn’t look like it came out of the 2010s, it’s still a blast to play, and players are sure to spend tons of time (and possibly tons of quarters) trying to make it to the end of this thrilling adventure. The plot follows along with the story of the original three Jurassic Park movies!

Let’s Go Jungle

Though this game was created in 2006, it still stands as one of the most fun and addicting arcade games that came out of the 2000s. Let’s Go Jungle!: Lost on the Island of Spice is best experienced with two players, who get to play as the two main characters, Ben and Norah.

Players must battle waves of monsters, shooting their guns and successfully completing quick-time events to make it off the infested island. At the end of the game, players will be ranked on their compatibility with each other, which is an extra funny aspect of this engaging game.

Lord of Vermilion IV

Square Enix created this series of arcade games, and it is undeniably one of the most unique platforms around. The 2017 game involves placing combat cards on the gaming machine’s surface and using those to fight off virtual enemies.

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The latest installment allows up to 8 players at a time, making it super exciting for friends to play together. A parody version of the game is even featured in Final Fantasy 14!

Initial D Arcade Stage Zero

Initial D is a series that many people know for its cult hit anime and the OP that became a global sensation. However, while this anime is fun to watch in its own right, people who like the series but haven’t tried out its arcade games are missing out on something truly special.

Initial D Arcade Stage Zero is the latest game in the series that was released in 2017. Shifting gears, overtaking opponents, and nailing great drifts are an absolute blast in this game.

Enter the Gungeon: House of the Gundead

This two-player shooter arcade game was introduced in 2020 and has captured the hearts of arcade fanatics. The graphics pay homage to classic, old-school games with a simple, 2D pixel style. Players can battle it out solo or with a friend as they traverse the many floors of a Gundead-infested castle.

The enemies, though resembling bullets, are pretty cute, and the animation is colorful and enticing! Try this game out the next time you head out to the arcade or buy their very own personal system for $5k.

Minecraft Dungeons Arcade

With Minecraft being such a popular and trending game on console and PC, developers knew it would be a hit even in arcade form! The brand new Minecraft Dungeons Arcade allows co-op play of up to 4 players at a time, where players can collect gems and fight enemies to proceed through a variety of action-packed levels.

This game is a blast to play through, and players might not want to stop playing long after they’ve spent a ton of quarters on this experience. Minecraft Dungeons is a pretty fun game in its own right, and this Arcade variant makes things even more fun!

Elevator Invasion

A team of two players teams up to defeat an army of evil, robotic soldiers in this arcade shooter game. The roles assumed is that of two special agents who are tasked with taking down robots in a skyrise building.

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The best part about the game is the actual elevator doors that open and close in front of the screen, making the whole “elevator invasion” experience more real than ever! Players must rack up as many points as they can while saving the day from the enemy army.

King Of Fighters 13 Climax

Fighting games are one of the easiest things to pick up in arcades. The fact that many competitive players use arcade controllers to play these games proves just how much fighting games and arcade cabinets go hand-in-hand.

People who go to modern arcades and find King of Fighters 13 Climax should definitely give it a whirl with a friend. The fighting mechanics are pretty tight, and nailing that perfect combo to take a friend out never ceases to be irritating.

Vader Immortal Lightsaber Dojo

In this incredible Virtual Reality game, players get to explore Darth Vader’s fortress on Mustafar, fighting off foes with their very own lightsaber! Many fans will finally get to fulfill their dreams of being a Force-wielding fighter in the Star Wars universe in a form of gaming that is more immersive and interactive than anything ever seen before.

Owners of VR headsets can play this game in their own homes, or they can head to a nearby arcade to try it out anytime. Regardless of where this game is played, most people will fall in love with this game the very moment they get to Force-choke an unsuspecting enemy before slicing them up with their sabers!

Mario Kart Arcade GP VR

Mario Kart is one of the most popular racing games around, so it’s only a given that this series would also be represented in arcades. After all, the game itself is an arcade racer!

Mario Kart Arcade GP VR puts players at the helm of their own kart as they race against other established karts in a full 3D environment. Suffice it to say, this game is a blast and perfect for VR since racing so fast for so long is bound to induce motion sickness in many people.

Hatchet Hero

Hatchet Hero Arcade Game

Ever felt like hacking an axe as hard as possible at a target? Well, now players can do just that without the danger of real blades. This brand-new modern arcade game allows players to aim and throw hatchets at a big target, racking up points by their accuracy and skill.

It’s a very hands-on, physical game unlike any other, requiring a good deal of effort and strategy to win big! Players can easily take out their frustrations and expend their energy on this fun axe-throwing game.

Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing

Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing was initially released in 2010 to all kinds of gaming platforms, from the Playstation to the Wii to specialized arcade machines.

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Fans of Sega can play as any of the main characters from Sonic along with iconic faces from other Sega games and race across fun, action-packed race tracks. Gamers can play alongside their friends, or they can focus on beating the CPUs and their own personal records.

Marvel vs. Capcom

This game series has a long history, with the first entry being released in 1996 and the latest one being released in 2017.

The crossover fighting franchise is always a favorite in arcades since players can choose from a variety of famous superheroes and powerful fighters from both Marvel and Capcom. The latest game, Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, has stunning graphics, exciting combat moves, and it just flows much better than the games in the past.

Halo: Fireteam Raven

Of course, the esteemed Halo series had to take a leap into the arcade business and make a machine of its own. This game came out in 2018 and is an immersive experience like no other. Players can pair up with friends or fight alone to conquer the alien threat.

Enjoy the beautiful Halo graphics and creative storylines to escape reality during this engaging playthrough. Though Halo is arguably best when played on a console, this new and fun way to enjoy the series is definitely a must-try.

Space Pirate Trainer

Space Pirate Trainer is one of the first games to come out for VR headsets. A steady stream of updates has ensured that this game remains relevant years after its inception, with its gameplay loop being pretty simple yet addictive.

Players get to use a litany of weapons against waves of enemies that they need to shoot all around them. It’s easy to see why this game is such a popular choice in VR arcades, with players being able to easily switch between rounds to beat the highest score.

Dance Dance Revolution

Dance Dance Revolution refuses to stop grooving, even after 22 years of making games. The latest release in the dancing-crazy franchise is Dance Dance Revolution A20 and it will keep fans dancing all night long.

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Of course, all the other installments in the series are just as fun. Trying out each game is crucial to find their favorite songs, especially since there are just so many to choose from. It’s the best way to have fun at an arcade while simultaneously learning some new moves.

Time Crisis 5

The fifth game in the Time Crisis series came out in 2015, and it had all of its fans excited to try it out. The game stays true to its roots with its sometimes wonky graphics and nostalgic vibes, but it flows nicely and has an exciting story that will make players want to keep playing until they beat it.

Time Crisis will always be one of those games that continue to be a good memory for those who got to play it as a kid.

Star Wars Battle Pod

This wild new arcade game came out in 2014 and is one of the coolest experiences ever. Fans and non-fans of Star Wars alike will have the time of their life stepping into an actual gaming pod to take charge in a high-flying mission straight from the movies.

The machine’s chair moves seamlessly with the game on the dome-shaped screen, and it’s so immersive that players will feel like they’re not in an arcade but in the world of Star Wars. If players ever wanted to feel what it is like to be a pilot, then this is the game to try out.

Tekken 7

Tekken 7 came out in 2015 and is currently the latest installment in the Tekken series. This game franchise is a widely beloved one in the arcade world, but it has also stepped into console and computer gaming, widening its audience of fans.

The gameplay is stunning, the graphics are much more advanced than in previous games, and all the characters that players can choose from are super cool. Many would agree that there’s no better fighting game to spend some hours playing than Tekken.

Beat Saber

Beat Saber is one of the most popular VR games of all time, with the litany of songs and numerous updates modernizing this title for the current age of VR. The simple act of cutting blocks to the beat of the rhythm becomes a wildly engaging experience that fans simply can’t get enough of.

It’s fun to see casual players wildly flailing their arms in a futile attempt to not get a game over. Meanwhile, players who are experienced with this game can wow people around them by showing off a level of finesse that can only be obtained by playing this game for a few hours!

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