SafeX Pro Exchange|Game on: Which home arcade cabinets should you buy?

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Today's video games may boast photorealistic graphics, surround sound, and worldwide multiplayer support, but many still long for the days when games were, well, simple.

Arcade games back in the '80s and early '90s were easy to pick up and impossible to put down—so long as you had a pocket full of quarters, of course—so it's no surprise many with a sentimental attachment to the "golden age" of arcade games are buying replicas of classic coin-operated (coin-op) cabinets for their home.

But with so many to choose from, how do you decide what's right for you and your budget?

While retro arcade machines vary in the number of games they hold, as well as size and style (such as upright cabinet or sit-down "cocktail" table), the following are a few units to consider.

While cute, please note we're not looking at miniature tabletop machines, nor does this round-up include retro arcade console systems that plug into your TV, or emulators like MAME. It's full-size cabinets only.

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For the enthusiast

Legends Ultimate

As one of the more versatile arcade offerings, the $600 AtGames' Legends Ultimate is a full-sized, 66-inch-tall cabinet with more than 300 built-in and licensed arcade classics, like Centipede, Space Invaders, BurgerTime, TRON, and Asteroids.

But the content doesn't end there: You can add more games (ROMs) via USB for a virtually unlimited number of single and multiplayer games (but please respect copyrights).

Plus, this Wi-Fi- and Bluetooth-enabled machine supports the optional ArcadeNet cloud gaming service, with free and paid options (starting at $10/month) that lets you download additional games, compete for top spot on global leaderboards, engage in online voice chat (up to four players), and even stream select games from your nearby PC.

Unlike the '80s, you can even pause, rewind, save and load games.

When it comes to hardware, Legends Ultimate boasts a 24-inch, 1080p LCD screen, down-firing stereo speakers, and customizable side art panels. Integrated into the cabinet are two sets of joysticks and six action buttons, two spinners/paddles, a trackball, pinball "flipper" buttons, and customizable button mapping support.

Pros:

• So many ways to add and play new games
• Full-size machine with arcade-quality hardware
• Great customer support

Cons:

• Only a few hits out of the 300 included and licensed games
• Some issues loading and playing ROM files
• Wi-Fi sometimes disconnects

For classic game lovers

Arcade 1Up's Class of '81 Deluxe Arcade Game

Retro gamers with a nostalgia for the early 1980s may want to opt for Arcade 1Up's collection of popular Namco games, led by the iconic Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga.

A dozen classic games are packed into $500 Class of '81 Deluxe Arcade Game. This 61-inch-tall (5 feet, 1 inch) cabinet is adorned with an authentic light-up marquee, a non-operational molded coin door (for authenticity), a recessed 17-inch 1080p monitor, and stereo speakers with adjustable volume.

While Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga share the cabinet's primary artwork, rounding out the collection is the underrated Galaga '88 and frenetic Dig Dug, along with Galaxian, Dig Dug II, Mappy, Rally-X, Rolling Thunder, Rompers, Tower of Druaga, and King and Balloon.

While the joysticks and buttons feel the same as they did 40-odd years ago, what's new are the Wi-Fi leaderboards to compete online with others (rather than just on one machine) and gameplay tips provided through the companion app.

For casual retro gamers who know what they want to play and don't have a desire to expand the collection, Arcade 1Up's Class of '81 Deluxe Arcade Game looks cool and plays well. Arcade 1Up has a great track record for reproducing some of the iconic coin-op games from yesteryear —and this one doesn’t disappoint either.

Pros:

• Some of the greatest games of the early 1980s
• Great-looking "hybrid" game machine, taller than most other Arcade 1Up cabinets
• Wi-Fi leaderboards

Cons:

• Can't add more games
• Steep price and only a dozen games
• Assembly is required, but super easy

For those who like old skool and new cool

iiRcade: RetroMania Wrestling Edition

Out of the few officially licensed cabinets that let you install additional games, iiRcade is unique in that it doesn't just play arcade titles from the '80s and '90s but supports new games, too—including the bundled 2021 RetroMania brawler inspired by classic wrestling games.

Eleven games are preinstalled on the $600 iiRcade: RetroMania Wrestling Edition, including LaserDisc classic Dragon's Lair and 2D fighter Double Dragon among them.

More than 350 additional games are available for download or can be purchased for between $2.99 and $29.99 (Dead Cells Full Bundle costs the most at $34.99). The iiRcade Store can be accessed on phones, tablets, or PC or Mac via a web browser.

The iiRcade is a full-sized, 61-inch-tall (5 feet, 1 inch) arcade cabinet but rocks a versatile "convertible" design with a removable top portion—containing the 19-inch display, 100 watts of stereo sound, 128GB of internal storage, and authentic 2-player controllers—and can be used in tabletop/bar-top mode.

Wrestling fans will appreciate the RetroMania artwork on the front and sides of the cabinet, and official "Sanwa" joysticks and buttons, for smooth and responsive controls. While availability may vary (some are currently sold out), there are other iiRcade cabinet designs, including Classic (what I own), Gold Edition – Dead Cells, Gold Edition – Space Invaders, a Dragon's Lair-themed machine, and more.

Pros:

• Hybrid tabletop and full upright cabinet design
• Can add and play new and old games, many of which are free
• LaserDisc games Dragon's Lair and Space Ace are great
• Incredible audio quality and volume

Cons:

• Missing big ‘80s titles from Namco, Atari, and Midway
• Pricey at $599, especially since you can't upload your own ROMs

For golf lovers

Arcade 1Up Golden Tee 3D Golf

It's 1989 and there's a massive crowd surrounding a new game at your favorite bar: Golden Tee Golf from Incredible Technologies. The game swung onto the scene and quickly become the biggest name in arcade golf.

Arcade 1Up has replicated the experience with its $700 Golden Tee 3D Golf cabinet, featuring a 3-inch premium trackball to control the direction, power, and curve of your shots.

This upright home version includes 8 games: along with the original (Golden Tee Classic), there's Golden Tee 3D (1995), Golden Tee '97, Golden Tee '98, Golden Tee '99, and _Golden Tee 2K, as well as ShuffleShot and World Class Bowling. (Because why not.) These games can be played solo, or better yet, with friends.

In the original Golden Tee Golf, there are 18-hole golf courses, a Closest to the Pin challenge, and while there's no support for online tournaments, there are Wi-Fi leaderboards to see how you stack up against other retro golfers. The sequels offer much of the same but with various courses and improved graphics.

The Arcade 1Up machine stands 66 inches tall (5 feet, 6 inches) and featuring a bright 19-inch LCD screen, loud sound (with adjustable volume), light-up marquee with logo, and authentic controls as you tear down the fairway, chip and put onto the green, and strive for the elusive Double Eagles.

Pros:

• Faithful to original Golden Tee Golf, along with seven other games
• Great for multiplayer
• Trackballs feels good, responsive, and accurate
• Cabinet looks good, with authentic artwork

Cons:

• Only golf games and a couple of others, can't add more—and it's $700
• No online multiplayer
• Have to assemble yourself, but instructions are clear

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.