Arcade games have a long history that dates back roughly half a century. From Pong to Pac-Ma n, the '70s and '80s pioneered the games that would eventually become console classics. Games like Donkey Kong predated the successful juggernaut the series would become on Nintendo consoles only a decade later, and many genres can be traced back to these halls. More importantly, so many people were first exposed to games through arcades, introducing them to a whole new world of entertainment. While great titles came out before and after, the best '90s arcade games are pretty much untouchable.
Thanks to the popularity of titles like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, fighting games had a spot alongside the beat 'em ups like Konami's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The '90s heralded some impressive classic titles, some of which would go on to be among the best arcade games of all time.
Updated November 24, 2025 by Mark Sammut: There is a lot I miss about the '90s, but arcades might just take the top spot. Nowadays, these halls are quite difficult to find, but many of the greatest '90s arcade games are playable in some form or another. We have expanded this article with two new titles: Ace Driver and Alien 3: The Gun.
28 Air Combat (1993)
A Technical Achievement For Its Era, But It Has Aged Poorly
Air Combat
- Released
- August 12, 1993
- Developer(s)
- Namco
- Publisher(s)
- Namco
- Genre(s)
- Flight Simulator
Considering how much time has passed, most of the best '90s arcade games have aged shockingly well. Even all these decades later, their gameplay and visuals can be appreciated and enjoyed beyond their historical significance. That said, exceptions naturally exist, and Namco's Air Combat is one of them. In 1993, the game's 3D presentation and immersive arcade boot provided arguably the best flight simulator on the market, writing the playbook that would go on to inspire the genre's future.
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Nowadays, Air Combat probably will not keep all that many people's attention beyond a few minutes. The controls, presentation, and gameplay are all quite frustrating, and there is little reason to play the original when the PS1 Air Combat or Ace Combat is available. Nevertheless, it was an impressive achievement.
27 Alien 3: The Gun (1993)
A '90s Rail Shooter That Is Among The Best Alien Games Ever
Alien 3: The Gun
- Genre(s)
- Rail Shooter
- Platform(s)
- Arcade
Although there have been a few notorious flops, the Alien franchise has a fairly decent track record for games, especially in arcades. Konami's Aliens is a solid run-and-gun shooter, and we will talk about Alien Vs. Predator later. A game that does not get as much love as the latter is Alien 3: The Gun, a rail shooter that delivers non-stop action that is more reminiscent of Aliens than its sequel. Although the visuals were not out of this world for 1993 arcades, Sega still put together an attractive enough presentation that does not get in the way of the gameplay.
Rail shooters are probably the hardest '90s arcade games to revisit, especially if they never made it to consoles. Alien 3: The Gun can still be fun when experienced through a modern lens, but you need the original cabinet and, crucially, its guns to really enjoy it. Still, if you are a big Alien fan, I recommend checking this out.
26 X-Men: The Arcade Game (1992)
A Beloved Beat 'Em Up That Is Primarily For X-Men Fans
X-Men (1992)
- Released
- January 31, 1992
- ESRB
- E 10+ // Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Backbone Entertainment, Konami
- Genre(s)
- Beat 'Em Up
X-Men: The Arcade Game is rightfully hailed as one of the franchise's best efforts of all time, and while its age shines through in places, the beat 'em up title holds up as a fun, albeit repetitive entry in the genre. Released at a time when Konami actually created games, the title's strongest feature is its playable character roster, with six mutants coming along for the ride. With great attack animations and authentic specials, each character stands out as their own entity and comes with a fairly steep learning curve.
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X-Men's visuals are generally impressive, particularly the character designs and backgrounds. While the standard fodder enemies get old quite quickly, the bosses are another story entirely, with the campaign covering a few heavyweights like Mystique and Magneto. While very good, X-Men does struggle a bit when compared to later beat 'em ups, particularly Capcom's.
25 Alpha Mission 2 (1991)
A Classic Shmup That Can Still Be Enjoyed Today
Alpha Mission 2
- Released
- March 25, 1991
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- SNK
- Genre(s)
- Shoot 'em Up
Alpha Mission 2 is a lesser entry in SNK's arcade catalog, but that has more to do with the developer's proficiency than any perceived lack of quality concerning the vertical shooter. When it comes to shoot 'em ups, this 1991 title does not do anything too out of the ordinary, and it should strike a chord with most fans of the genre.
Boasting great visuals and music, Alpha Mission 2 was a looker back in the day, and age has done little to hamper the game's presentation. Gameplay-wise, SNK's release offers a satisfying selection of weapons and an upgrade system that rewards skill. As these types of games can be inescapable to newcomers, Alpha Mission 2 is somewhat of an acquired taste, but the game is a good representative of the shmup genre.
24 X-Men: Children Of The Atom (1995)
Not The Best Capcom Marvel Fighting Game, But Pretty Great
X-Men: Children of the Atom
- Released
- January 5, 1995
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom, Probe Entertainment, Rutubo Games
- Genre(s)
- Fighting
Capcom's first Arcade Marvel title introduced the gameplay later seen in the VS. Series. This X-Men title featured gorgeous animation, memorable music, and the X-Men taking on Magneto & the Brotherhood. Children of the Atom introduced the launcher combos, high jumps, and flashy action that would set the tone for the sequels.
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There was a time when arcade games were the craze, but these hits were left behind in their gaming cabinets in the industry's move to consoles.
Several of the X-Men would later appear in various crossover titles until Marvel vs. Capcom 2 brought them together once again. Even so, Children of the Atom maintained a significant legacy as even Sentinel would get his theme remixed in 2011's Marvel vs. Capcom 3.
23 The Simpsons (1991)
Right Up There With The Best Simpsons Games Ever
The Simpsons Arcade Game
- Released
- March 4, 1991
- ESRB
- Suggestive Themes, Mild Language, Use of Alcohol, Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Konami, Novotrade, Backbone Entertainment
- Genre(s)
- Beat 'Em Up
Primarily known as The Simpsons Arcade Game, this 1991 delight stands out as one of the most entertaining beat 'em ups of its era, even if it is somewhat streamlined compared to other genre greats. When Maggie finds herself kidnapped by Smithers, the rest of the Simpsons must go on an epic adventure to save her, which means punching everything that moves and visiting various iconic locations from the TV show. All four characters have unique moves that set them apart from each other, and their attacks lean into the source material's slapstick humor. As with most of these classics, The Simpsons Arcade Game can also be played in co-op, which allows the gameplay to shine even brighter.
As fun as it is, this release does require players to be fond of the cartoon. That's not to say that its beat 'em up mechanics have nothing to offer the uninitiated, as they are generally solid, but there are superior arcade options for those who are not captivated by the license. Nevertheless, Konami's 1991 romp is still among the best Simpsons games.
22 Smash TV (1990)
Chaotic Twin-Stick Mayhem
Smash TV
- Released
- April, 1990
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Williams Electronics, Probe Software, Beam Software
- Genre(s)
- Arcade, Shooter
A dual-stick shooter that used to soak up all of someone's coins, Smash TV was painfully difficult to put down once the mayhem started to flow. Split into levels that throw wave after wave of enemies at the player, Smash TV descends into pure chaos almost immediately, creating an action-packed experience with no dull moments.
Power-ups, thousands of disposable foes, and cheesy announcements are all things that define Smash TV's legacy. The game's console versions are not quite as good as the arcade title, but they are still decent fun.
21 The Punisher (1993)
Awesome Beat 'Em Up With Great Weapon System And Fantastic Visuals
The Punisher
- Released
- April 22, 1993
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Genre(s)
- Beat 'Em Up
Capcom knows a thing or two about crafting addictive and gorgeous arcade games, and that goes beyond just 2D fighters. While perhaps not as decorated as Street Fighter, the publisher was responsible for a few of the 1990s' best beat 'em ups, some of which have aged like a fine wine. 1993's The Punisher serves as a prime example of Capcom's genre mastery, expanding on ideas introduced in classics like Final Fight to create a kinetic, visceral, and unforgettable Marvel-themed romp. As either Frank Castle or Nick Fury, players go on a blood-soaked rampage through America, taking on a few recognizable villains from the source material.
While the core melee combat was not too far removed from other Capcom beat 'em ups from the era, The Punisher pushed the envelope by emphasizing weapons. From guns to bats and throwable knives, Frank can wield a wide assortment of death machines, most of which are dropped by enemies. And, like most arcade games, The Punisher is extremely difficult, so players will need to make smart and constant use of all the tools at their disposal.
Except for a mediocre Genesis port, The Punisher remained exclusive to arcades, causing it to become one of the more sought-after Capcom projects. Well, in 2024, the publisher finally answered those pleas by including the game in a Marvel vs. Capcom compilation.
20 Ninja Baseball Bat Man (1993)
Stunning Visuals For The Era
Ninja Baseball Bat Man
- Released
- September, 1993
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- Irem
- Genre(s)
- Beat 'Em Up
An underappreciated gem that didn't make much of a splash in Western arcades, Ninja Baseball Bat Man is silliness captured in video game form. A beat 'em up about four robot heroes striving to retrieve a statue of Babe Ruth, Ninja Baseball Bat Man takes players on camp-fueled adventures with accessible combat, unforgettable villains, and charming visuals.
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In a decade overstacked with beat 'em ups, Ninja Baseball Bat Man struggled to stand out; however, the game has aged better than most of its contemporaries. It is simply fun.
19 Windjammers (1994)
Clever Twist On The Sports Genre That Works Perfectly For Arcades
Windjammers
- Released
- March, 1994
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Data East Corporation
- Genre(s)
- Sports
A contender for the most surprising '90s game to be revived more than two decades following its release, Windjammers was ported to the PS4 in 2017 and even received a sequel in 2022. The sports game challenges players to win an intense match of frisbee; yet, frisbee. On the surface, that might not sound particularly exciting, however, Windjammers hides an impressive amount of depth.
Windjammers is a delight whether played in arcades or on home consoles. Players have their pick of six characters, all of which come with unique stats and special throws. Matches are quite straightforward – two players battle it out to see who can score 12 points first – but the shots come with little tricks that make a huge difference in bouts.