Arcade Gaming

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The Golden Age of Coin-Operated Entertainment

Overview

Arcade gaming represents the foundation of the video game industry, pioneering innovative gameplay mechanics and pushing technological boundaries. From the late 1970s through the 1990s, arcade machines were at the forefront of gaming innovation, featuring specialized hardware that delivered experiences impossible on home consoles of the time.

Major Arcade Platforms

Capcom CPS Series

CP System I (1988)

CPU: Motorola 68000 @ 10 MHz + Z80 @ 3.579 MHz
Sound: YM2151 + MSM6295
Display: 384x224 pixels
Colors: 4096 colors on screen
RAM: 64KB main, 16KB sound

CP System II (1993)

CPU: Motorola 68000 @ 16 MHz + Z80 @ 8 MHz
Sound: QSound
Display: 384x224 pixels
Colors: 32,768 colors on screen
RAM: 128KB main, 16KB sound
Security: Custom encryption chip

CP System III (1996)

CPU: Hitachi SH-2 @ 25 MHz
Graphics: Custom ASIC
Display: 384x224 pixels
Colors: 32,768 colors on screen from 16.7 million
Sound: Custom QSound chip
RAM: 8MB main
ROM: CD-ROM based system
Security: Custom encryption chip

SNK Neo Geo MVS

CPU: Motorola 68000 @ 12 MHz + Z80 @ 4 MHz
Graphics: Custom ASIC
Resolution: 320×224 pixels
Colors: 4096 colors on screen from 65,536
Sound: Yamaha YM2610
RAM: 64KB main, 2MB video, 84KB sound
ROM: Up to 716 Mbit cartridge capacity
Release Year: 1990

IGS PGM

CPU: Motorola 68000 @ 20 MHz + Z80 @ 8.468 MHz
Graphics: Custom IGS005/IGS006
Resolution: 448×224 pixels
Colors: 32,768 colors
Sound: ICS2115 wavetable chip
RAM: 32KB main, 512KB video
Release Year: 1997

Konami Classic Hardware

Notable Games:
- TMNT series (Arcade, Turtles in Time)
- X-Men (6-player)
- The Simpsons
- Sunset Riders
- Contra series (Arcade, Super Contra)
- Aliens
- Crime Fighters
- Vendetta
- Bucky O'Hare
- G.I. Joe
- Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa
- Metamorphic Force
- Mystic Warriors
- Violent Storm

Toaplan Hardware

Era: 1984-1994
Notable Games:

Zero Wing
Truxton / Tatsujin
Flying Shark
Batsugun

Legacy: Staff later formed Cave and Takumi

Data East Hardware

Era: 1980s-1990s
Notable Games:

Bad Dudes vs. DragonNinja
BurgerTime
Captain America and The Avengers
Crude Buster

Sega System

Era: 1980s-Early 1990s
Supported Systems: System 1, System 16, System 18
Notable Games:

Shinobi
Golden Axe
Altered Beast
E-SWAT

Taito Hardware

Supported Systems: F2, F3, X, B
Notable Games:

Bubble Bobble
Rainbow Islands
Puzzle Bobble series
Operation Wolf

Cave Hardware

Era: 1994-2000s
Notable Games:

DoDonPachi series
ESP Ra.De.
Guwange
Progear

Known for: Defining modern bullet hell shooters

Sega Model Series

Model 1 (1992)

CPU: NEC V60 @ 16 MHz
Graphics: Custom 3D DSP
Resolution: 496x384 pixels
Colors: 16.7 million
Polygons: 180,000 per second
Sound: Multi PCM chip

Model 2 (1993)

CPU: Intel i960-KB @ 25 MHz
Graphics: Custom Sega 3D geometry processor
Resolution: 496x384 pixels
Colors: 16.7 million
Polygons: 300,000-500,000 per second
Texture mapping: Perspective correct
Sound: Custom DSP + 68000

Model 3 (1996)

CPU: PowerPC 603e @ 66 MHz
Graphics: Real3D/Pro-1000 chip
Resolution: 496x384 pixels
Colors: 16.7 million
Polygons: 1,000,000+ per second
Texture mapping: Full perspective correction
RAM: 8MB main, 4MB texture

Iconic Arcade Genres

Fighting Games

Revolutionized by Street Fighter II, fighting games became arcade mainstays with their competitive gameplay and spectacular special moves.

Street Fighter II seriesMortal Kombat seriesThe King of Fighters seriesFatal Fury seriesSamurai Shodown seriesVirtua Fighter seriesTekken seriesMarvel vs. Capcom seriesDarkstalkers seriesArt of Fighting seriesGuilty Gear seriesLast Blade seriesWorld Heroes seriesPrimal RageKiller Instinct

Beat 'em ups

Side-scrolling action games that let multiple players fight waves of enemies together.

Final Fight seriesDouble Dragon seriesThe SimpsonsX-MenTMNT seriesKnights of the RoundCaptain CommandoAlien vs. PredatorWarriors of FateGolden Axe seriesDungeons & Dragons seriesCadillacs and DinosaursBattle CircuitViolent StormMetamorphic Force

Shoot 'em ups

Fast-paced shooting games that test players' reflexes and pattern recognition.

DoDonPachi seriesR-Type seriesGradius seriesBatsugunESP Ra.De.Strikers 1945 seriesRaiden seriesThunder Force seriesMushihimesamaGiga Wing seriesMars MatrixGunbird seriesDragon BlazeKetsuiBattle Garegga

Racing Games

Featured specialized cabinets with steering wheels and pedals for an immersive experience.

Daytona USA seriesOutRun seriesRidge Racer seriesSega Rally seriesInitial D seriesVirtua RacingWangan Midnight seriesChase H.Q.Hard Drivin'Super GT 24hF355 ChallengeManx TTScud RaceGTI ClubMaximum Tune series

Light Gun Games

Immersive shooting experiences using specialized light gun controllers.

Time Crisis seriesHouse of the Dead seriesVirtua Cop seriesPoint Blank seriesOperation WolfArea 51Lethal EnforcersRevolution XSilent Scope seriesGhost SquadTarget TerrorPolice 911Terminator 2Beast BustersUnder Fire

Puzzle Games

Brain-teasing games that challenge players' problem-solving skills.

Puzzle Bobble seriesTetrisColumnsPuyo Puyo seriesMoney Puzzle ExchangerMagical Drop seriesPanel de PonPuzzle FighterKlaxQixPnickiesBlockenPuzzloopTaisen Puzzle-damaCosmo Gang the Puzzle

Legacy and Impact

Technological Innovation

Arcade machines consistently pushed the boundaries of gaming technology, introducing features years before they became possible on home consoles.

Social Gaming

Arcades created social spaces where players could compete and spectate, laying the groundwork for modern esports.

Game Design

Many fundamental game design principles were established in arcades, from scoring systems to difficulty curves.