8 Coolest Games You Could Only Play in Arcades

In many ways, there has never been a better time to be a retro gamer. Companies such as Analogue are putting out fancy new ways to play SNES and Sega Genesis games on modern TVs. Meanwhile, the Nintendo Switch is adding an impressive gallery of classic games, including awesome arcade games.

Not every arcade game has gotten ported, though. In fact, there are a few amazing arcade games that have never seen the light of a console release. That’s a shame because some of these are the best games we’ve ever played!

Gather up your quarters and get ready for the coolest games you could only play in arcades.

Star Wars Trilogy

With the countless array of new Star Wars movies and TV shows, the name Star Wars Trilogy may be surprising. However, this arcade game came out before we had so much as a Star Wars prequel.

This game is mostly structured as an on-rails shooter. Playing through the different movies lets you fly X-Wings, snowspeeders, and speeder bikes through absolutely gorgeous levels. In-between those levels, you get to practice your lightsaber skills against foes like Darth Vader and Boba Fett.

It is one of the fastest-paced and most beautiful Star Wars games ever released. Whoever decided not to release this on console needs to be sent to the spice mines of Kessel!

Aliens

Fans of Alien: Isolation may have been tempted to find other awesome Aliens video games. Unfortunately, Aliens console games are a very mixed bag… and one of the best Aliens video games never even made it to a console.

The Konami Aliens arcade game is a pretty straightforward adaptation of the film. You take control of Ripley as she blows away a wide array of aliens. With tons of visual variety, this game is as fun to look at as it is to play.

Ultimately, this game is straightforward, action-filled fun. And it’s an effective precursor to later sidescrolling action gems such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and X-Men: The Arcade Game.