In an era of digital downloads and subscription services, there's something irresistibly compelling about having a physical arcade cabinet in your home. The AtGames Legends Ultimate represents the culmination of this dream, offering what might be the most comprehensive retro gaming experience available to consumers today. But with a price tag hovering around $599, is this ambitious machine truly worth the investment? After extensive research and analysis of user experiences, I've delved deep into what makes this cabinet special—and where it falls short.
What Is the AtGames Legends Ultimate?
The Legends Ultimate is a full-sized arcade cabinet standing 66 inches tall and 29 inches wide, featuring a 24-inch HD LCD display, downward-firing stereo speakers, and Wi-Fi connectivity . What sets it apart from many competitors is its massive game library—300 licensed titles right out of the box—with regular additions through firmware updates .
But beyond the preinstalled games, the Legends Ultimate offers expandability options that few cabinets can match, including subscription services, PC game streaming, and extensive connectivity options . This isn't just a closed system; it's a platform that continues to evolve long after purchase.
The Game Library: Quantity and Quality
Preinstalled Titles: 300 Games and Counting
The cornerstone of the Legends Ultimate experience is its enormous game library, featuring titles from legendary publishers like Atari, Data East, Disney, Jaleco, Taito, and The Tetris Company . The collection spans:
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Arcade classics from the golden age (Asteroids, Space Invaders, Tempest)
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Atari 2600 titles (Adventure and its sequel, among others)
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Sega Genesis/Megadrive games (The Lion King, Aladdin)
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NeoGeo fighting games (including King of Fighters 2003 via subscription)
This diverse selection means there's truly something for everyone, from those who grew up in the 70s and 80s to younger players discovering these classics for the first time.
The Curated vs. The Questionable
Not all games are created equal, and the Legends Ultimate's library has some curious inclusions. As one reviewer noted, having both the arcade and inferior Atari 2600 versions of games like Missile Command feels redundant—like "going to a fancy restaurant to eat instant noodles" . The inclusion of console games that weren't designed for arcade controls (like The Lion King) also raises eyebrows, though some surprisingly work well with the cabinet's control scheme .
Expandability: ArcadeNet and BYOG
Where the Legends Ultimate truly shines is in its expansion capabilities:
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ArcadeNet: A subscription service that adds regularly updated games optimized for the hardware
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BYOG (Bring Your Own Game): Allows streaming of PC games from services like Steam to the cabinet
The BYOG feature is particularly impressive, effectively turning the Legends Ultimate into a remote terminal for your gaming PC—a functionality that exceeds expectations, even if it works best on robust home networks .
Hardware and Build Quality: Premium Feel With Minor Quibbles
Control Panel Excellence
The Legends Ultimate features a comprehensive control panel with:
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Two 8-way joysticks with octagonal gates
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Six action buttons per player
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A high-quality trackball
Most of these controls receive high praise for their premium feel and durability. The joysticks are described as "perfect" for the included games, with satisfying spring and switch noises audible when game volume is lowered . The spinner knobs are particularly noteworthy for their comfortable weight and smooth operation .
The Trackball Letdown
Unfortunately, the trackball doesn't quite match the quality of the other controls. Reviews describe it as feeling "sticky" and lacking fluidity, with noticeable resistance that raises questions about its long-term durability . While functional for games like Centipede, it's the one component that doesn't feel premium.
Assembly Experience
Putting together the Legends Ultimate is reportedly straightforward, taking approximately 45 minutes from unboxing to power-on . The instructions are clear, and the process is comparable to assembling Ikea furniture—a welcome accessibility feature for those who might be intimidated by complex setup procedures.
Software Experience: Powerful But Rough Around the Edges
User Interface Quirks
The cabinet's interface is functional but has some rough edges. Navigation is generally intuitive once you're in a section, but accessing certain menus isn't always obvious . The menu button lacks labeling, requiring some initial guesswork—a small but noticeable usability issue .
Settings and Customization
Where the software excels is in its comprehensive settings menu, which includes both standard options and developer settings . The open-source nature of the platform (based on Raspberry Pi) makes it particularly appealing to programmers, hackers, and those interested in exploring the system's deeper capabilities .
Comparison to Alternatives
Versus Arcade1Up
The most direct competitor to the Legends Ultimate is Arcade1Up's range of cabinets, which typically cost between $399-$749 . While Arcade1Up cabinets excel at capturing the authentic look and feel of specific classic machines at a more affordable price point, they're generally 3/4 scale replicas (about 4 feet tall) rather than full-sized cabinets . The Legends Ultimate offers a more comprehensive game library and expandability, while Arcade1Up focuses on authenticity for specific titles.
Other Market Options
The search results reveal several other arcade solutions at various price points:
The Legends Ultimate positions itself as the most expandable option in this company, though certain specialized cabinets might better serve specific needs (like the 4-player Creative Arcades Slim for multiplayer enthusiasts) .
Who Is the Legends Ultimate For?
The Ideal Owner Profile
Based on its feature set and performance, the Legends Ultimate is perfect for:
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Retro Gaming Enthusiasts who want maximum game variety in a single package
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Tech-Savvy Users who appreciate expandability and customization options
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Families seeking a shared entertainment center that appeals across generations
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Those With Space who can accommodate a full-sized arcade cabinet
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Players Who Value Authenticity in control feel but want modern conveniences
Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere
The Legends Ultimate might not be ideal for:
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Purists who prefer perfect replicas of specific classic cabinets
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Those With Limited Space who might prefer a smaller option like Arcade1Up
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Budget-Conscious Buyers who don't need the expansive feature set
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Players Who Prioritize Graphics above all else (these are still retro games)
Value Assessment: Is It Worth the Price?
At approximately $599, the Legends Ultimate sits at the higher end of the consumer arcade market but delivers corresponding value through:
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Massive Game Library: 300+ preinstalled titles eliminates the need for additional purchases
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Regular Updates: Firmware updates add new games and features weekly
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Expandability: BYOG and ArcadeNet support future-proof the investment
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Premium Controls: High-quality components ensure authentic gameplay
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Multiplayer Support: Two-player simultaneous play encourages social gaming
When compared to building a custom cabinet (which requires technical skill and time) or purchasing multiple single-game cabinets, the Legends Ultimate represents a compromise between convenience and customization that will satisfy most users.
The Verdict: Should You Buy the AtGames Legends Ultimate?
Yes, for the right user. The AtGames Legends Ultimate delivers an exceptional retro gaming experience with few equivalents in the market. Its combination of massive game library, expandability options, and quality construction justifies its price tag for those who will fully utilize its capabilities .
The cabinet isn't perfect—the trackball could be better, the interface has quirks, and some game inclusions feel unnecessary. But these are minor complaints against what is otherwise the most comprehensive home arcade solution available to consumers today.
If you have the space, budget, and desire for a single device that can deliver decades of gaming history, the Legends Ultimate is arguably worth every penny. It successfully captures the magic of arcade gaming while embracing modern conveniences that keep it relevant long after purchase.
*Rating: 4/5 Stars*