When people talk about “machine games”, they’re usually referring to arcade games—the coin-operated classics that filled arcades, malls, and pizza shops in the ’80s and ’90s. These machines are known as arcade cabinets, and the games inside them have become legendary in gaming history.
But what exactly are the names of these famous machine games, and where can you experience them today? Let’s dive in.
🕹️ The Most Famous Machine (Arcade) Games
Here are some of the most iconic arcade machine games of all time:
Pac-Man (1980) – The yellow pellet-eating icon that defined an entire generation.
Space Invaders (1978) – The alien shooter that sparked the golden age of arcade gaming.
Street Fighter II (1991) – The king of competitive fighting games, still played in tournaments today.
Mortal Kombat (1992) – Famous for its brutal combat and “Finish Him!” moments.
Donkey Kong (1981) – Mario’s first appearance, climbing ladders to save Pauline.
Galaga (1981) – A space shooter that’s still as addictive as ever.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1989) – A 4-player co-op arcade legend.
The Simpsons Arcade Game (1991) – Beat ‘em up fun for the whole family.
Metal Slug (1996) – Run-and-gun action with style and humor.
Dance Dance Revolution (1998) – The rhythm-based machine that got people moving.
These are just a few—there are literally thousands of machine games out there, covering every genre imaginable.
🏪 Where to Play & Buy Arcade Machines
If you’re nostalgic and want to own a piece of arcade history (or a modern machine packed with classics), here are some places to shop:
GameLoopX Arcade Machine – A portable 18.5-inch arcade cabinet with 250+ games and multiplayer support.
Creative Arcades – Offers high-quality arcade cabinets with thousands of games preloaded.
Amazon Arcade Machines – From mini desktop models to full-size cabinets.
Arcade1Up – Affordable replicas of classic arcade machines (Pac-Man, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and more).
Retro Gaming Stores UK – Great for retro enthusiasts looking for home arcade gear.
📚 Learn More About Machine Games
Want to go deeper into arcade history? Check out these resources:
The History of Arcade Games – Wikipedia
IGN’s Top 25 Arcade Games of All Time
Arcade Museum – A digital archive of every arcade game ever made.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Machine games—better known as arcade games—were the foundation of modern gaming. From Pac-Man to Street Fighter, these titles captured hearts worldwide and still inspire gamers today.
The best part? You don’t need a roll of quarters anymore. Thanks to modern arcade machines for home, you can relive the glory days right in your living room.
👉 Looking to bring one home? Start with the GameLoopX 18.5” Arcade Machine for a compact yet powerful retro experience.
🎮 Top 20 Machine Games of All Time
Arcade machines—often called machine games—defined the golden age of gaming. From the neon-lit arcades of the ’80s to the home re-creations we enjoy today, these games left an unforgettable mark. Here’s a list of the 20 most iconic machine games ever made.
🕹️ The 20 Most Famous Machine Games
Pac-Man (1980)
The yellow hero who eats pellets and dodges ghosts. An eternal symbol of arcade gaming.
🔗 Learn more about Pac-Man
Space Invaders (1978)
The alien shooter that kicked off the arcade boom.
🔗 Arcade1Up Space Invaders Machine
Street Fighter II (1991)
The fighter that made “Hadouken!” a household phrase.
🔗 Arcade1Up Street Fighter Machine
Mortal Kombat (1992)
Known for brutal Fatalities and endless rivalries.
🔗 Mortal Kombat Cabinet
Donkey Kong (1981)
Mario’s debut and one of Nintendo’s biggest hits.
🔗 Donkey Kong History
Galaga (1981)
Addictive space-shooter with challenging enemy formations.
🔗 Arcade1Up Galaga
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1989)
A beloved 4-player co-op beat ’em up.
🔗 TMNT Arcade Cabinet
The Simpsons Arcade Game (1991)
Family-friendly co-op chaos that became a classic.
🔗 Gameplay Overview
Metal Slug (1996)
Stylish, humorous, and action-packed side-scrolling shooter.
🔗 Metal Slug Collection
Dance Dance Revolution (1998)
The rhythm-based floor machine that made arcades active again.
🔗 DDR Info
Asteroids (1979)
Blast rocks and UFOs in this vector-graphic shooter.
🔗 Atari’s Asteroids
Frogger (1981)
Simple yet addictive—guide your frog across traffic and rivers.
🔗 Frogger History
Time Crisis (1995)
Famous for its pedal-and-gun gameplay.
🔗 Bandai Namco Time Crisis
House of the Dead (1996)
A cult-favorite zombie shooter with a light gun.
🔗 House of the Dead Game Series
NBA Jam (1993)
Over-the-top basketball with “He’s on fire!” moments.
🔗 NBA Jam Arcade1Up
Golden Axe (1989)
Sega’s fantasy beat ’em up classic.
🔗 Golden Axe Info
Out Run (1986)
Sega’s legendary racing game with branching paths.
🔗 Out Run Wiki
Virtua Fighter (1993)
The first 3D fighting game that changed the genre.
🔗 Virtua Fighter Info
Defender (1981)
A groundbreaking side-scrolling shooter.
🔗 Defender (Williams Electronics)
Gauntlet (1985)
The dungeon-crawling, multiplayer hack-and-slash adventure.
🔗 Gauntlet Info
🏪 Where to Shop Arcade Machines
Want to relive these classics at home? Here are some great shops:
GameLoopX 18.5″ Arcade Machine – A compact retro arcade with 250+ games.
Arcade1Up – Licensed cabinets for Pac-Man, Street Fighter, and more.
Creative Arcades – Premium builds with thousands of preloaded games.
Amazon Arcade Cabinets – Budget-friendly and portable options.
📚 Learn More
Arcade Game History – Wikipedia
🏁 Final Thoughts
Arcade machine games are more than just entertainment—they’re part of gaming history. Whether you loved Pac-Man’s simplicity, Street Fighter’s intensity, or DDR’s energy, these games defined entire generations.
👉 Ready to bring the arcade home? Start with the GameLoopX 18.5″ Arcade Machine for a modern take on the classics.