10 Modern Games With Arcade Vibes

As a longtime enthusiast of the golden age of arcade games, I can wholeheartedly vouch for these three titles that manage to capture the essence of the era while offering modern twists and innovations.

Today’s gamers enjoy a rather fortunate lifestyle compared to the self-proclaimed gaming enthusiasts of past decades, if we consider their privileges versus those they possessed.

Hard to believe, but at one point, home video game consoles were exclusive luxury items, available only to a privileged few. The majority of people looking for gaming experiences typically relied on visiting arcades.

Those days hold a warm and timeless charm, and the games that once captured our imagination, such as Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and their counterparts, continue to resonate with us now. It might seem that arcade gaming belongs to an era long past, but its influence persists.

To put it simply, arcade gaming isn’t dead; it’s just evolved a bit. It no longer demands coins dropped into slots, but the thrill remains the same. If you’re still skeptical, I can introduce you to some contemporary games that could seamlessly blend into your local arcade.

Here, our goal is to create games that embody the classic, arcade-style experience. Games that feature scoring systems, or those that evoke a sense of needing an “Insert Coin” prompt on-screen, are ideal choices for us.

10 TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge

Heroes In A Half Shell

Looking back at the authentic era of arcades, it’s likely that you’ll recall the widespread fame of games such as Streets of Rage, Double Dragon, and numerous side-scrolling Beat-Em-Up titles.

Following a period of lesser recognition, these games have made something of a comeback in recent years, leaving us torn between gems such as Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and Streets of Rage 4. However, among all, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge stands out as my personal favorite.

Title pays homage to the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade game, offering players the chance to guide their turtle heroes through a final showdown against Shredder.

This game is both appealing and hard-to-resist, making it perfect for arcade enthusiasts across the board, as it checks every essential box. Therefore, don’t hesitate; save the world first, then enjoy your pizza!

9 Hotline Miami

It Was Acceptable In The 80s

If you found yourself unsure about when the arcade craze peaked, it was during the 80s. To pay tribute to that vibrant era in video game history, I recommend exploring the title “Hotline Miami“.

In a more straightforward phrasing, this vintage ’80s shooting game offers an aesthetically pleasing yet violent experience, guiding you through various stages requiring you to charge in like a rambunctious bull in a china shop while eliminating every enemy that appears before you.

Although it may not be an easy stroll, you should remember to utilize the surroundings, meticulously map out your path, and adapt to the resources at hand to prevent winding up as tomorrow’s Florida man news story in the newspapers.

It features a rhythmic background music, swift action, captivating mechanics, and a hook that makes you want to play just one more time – essentially, it embodies the essential elements of a timeless arcade game.

8 Rollerdrome

Last Skater Standing

It might seem like an unconventional contender for an arcade success story, given that some purists might argue that the game Rollerdrome appears to be a bit too sophisticated, or lacking in the typical pixelated style often associated with classic arcade games.

I get that—I really do—but it would be criminal not to include at least one Roll7 game on this list. They have produced some stellar modern arcade classics, such as the OlliOlli series, but for me, their Battle Royale roller Disco title is the pick of the bunch.

In this scenario, you assume the character of Kara Hassan, and with your stylishly fruity footwear, you’ll have to swiftly navigate the arena, performing trick combinations reminiscent of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, while simultaneously shooting your adversaries with bullets.

This game is an exciting blend of adrenaline-pumping extreme sports and action-packed third-person shooting gameplay, creating a captivating indie sensation that keeps players striving for the next best score.

7 Shovel Knight

Can You Dig It?

Among pixel platformer games, there’s a strong case that they could all be categorized as arcade-style games, with a ‘coin insert’ prompt in the corner. Yet, among the numerous popular choices available, it would be challenging to find a more fitting contender than Shovel Knight.

This game’s title evokes the visual style and atmosphere of the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), giving it an old-school arcade feel. However, don’t be fooled, as it boasts the polished, up-to-date qualities that you’d find in today’s top-tier games.

It’s a stellar, challenging, and addictive platformer worth its weight in gold, so grab a shovel and learn to pogo. After all, your life might just depend on it.

6 Downwell

Falling With Style

The Endless Runner genre, primarily recognized from mobile gaming, might have been quite profitable during the arcade era as well.

Instead of calling it an “endless runner,” a more fitting description would be an “endless faller.” In this game, your objective is not to run endlessly, but rather to descend further and further into the well. As you progress, you’ll encounter various dangerous enemies and obstacles that lie deeper within the well.

This game boasts a remarkably straightforward design and visual aesthetic, yet it’s simplicity is its strength. It allows players to quickly grasp the rules and get started, while still maintaining an irresistible allure as you strive to surpass your previous score.

You could describe it as plummeting towards an unavoidable demise, or you might prefer to say it’s done with panache. Regardless of the term, it’s incredibly thrilling.

5 Resogun

Modern Space Invaders

It’s plausible to think of Space Invaders and Asteroids as early precursors to the “bullet hell” game genre, making it fitting that a modern classic like Resogun aligns well with this description.

In simpler terms, “Resogun” is a fresh take on the classic “Space Invaders” concept, where you navigate through a circular level, rescue people, shoot non-stop laser beams at objectives, and dodge enemy fire to stay alive.

Such an outstanding “bullet hell” game might have been a significant factor in securing Housemarque the opportunity to create the exclusive PlayStation title, Returnal, at a later stage.

Yet somehow it’s still one that is criminally underrated, so if you are like the many who haven’t heard of this one, take your snazzy little spaceship out for a spin.

4 Vampire Survivors

So Many Projectiles

Vampire Survivors might seem unusual since it’s a game that gives players a strong sense of power, but at the same time, it minimizes the challenging, skill-based aspects usually found in classic arcade games.

Yet, disregarding that aspect for a moment, the concept of striving to reach greater heights, tackling challenging, clean levels with rewards feels more akin to classic arcade gaming.

Among all games listed, Vampire Survivors stands out as exceptionally user-friendly, thanks to its minimal gameplay requirements. Yet, it still offers the thrill of seeing numbers rapidly increase, a sensation often associated with achieving a significant score.

This game is packed with plenty of material, offers terrific repeat play opportunities, and it’s quite affordable. With all these factors in mind, we strongly recommend that enthusiasts of arcade games give it a try for an enjoyable experience.

3 The Messenger

The Mark of the Ninja

Regardless if you prefer ‘Wonder Boy’ or lean more towards ‘Ghosts N Goblins’, it’s clear that arcade platformers offer rich, enjoyable gaming experiences full of engaging and difficult gameplay. That’s why we believe Sabotage Studios’ ‘The Messenger’ is an ideal choice for this list.

While it might lean more towards games released a bit later, such as Contra and Ninja Garden, it’s hard to ignore the fact that the frequent respawns after death, fast-moving, smooth gameplay, and exceptional level design make this game feel like an iconic arcade title that you wouldn’t mind emptying your pockets for.

Furthermore, it’s interesting to note that this story takes place within the same world as the beloved JRPG “Sea of Stars” by Sabotage. If you’re an admirer of that game, then you might want to explore this new title next.

2 Cuphead

Cartoon Chaos

In the realm of classic arcade games, it’s a story that’s been around for ages. You manage to overcome some battles, discover some fantastic power-ups, and feel unbeatable. But just when you think you’ve got the game figured out, a humongous boss appears, reminding you who’s really in control, and suggests you insert another coin to carry on.

Indeed, given the challenging nature of the Vaudeville-style game “Cuphead”, that’s the kind of experience you can expect when you play it.

This game showcases stunning graphics, which might give the impression of being slightly detached from the iconic pixel art of the classic arcade period. However, its high-end production doesn’t diminish its appeal; instead, it offers thrilling run-and-gun gameplay reminiscent of arcades.

This game is simple to grasp, yet challenging to excel at – it’s the ideal balance for arcade gaming. Don’t be deceived by its adorable appearance; it won’t show mercy. If you’re prepared to fight back, it’s definitely worth giving a shot.

1 The Binding of Isaac

I Don’t Want My Mommy!

The game The Binding of Isaac adheres to many aspects of the arcade style. Each playthrough offers a consistent structure, but no two games are identical.

The game is filled with numerous power-ups, yet it doesn’t explain their functions to the player, creating an enchanting surprise with every new collection. Furthermore, this game is a beloved indie gem in the pixel-art world.

It ticks all the boxes, offering a gameplay loop that is rewarding, addictive, and well-paced with a series of bosses and stages that will test your mettle.

This game frequently draws players back for short playthroughs, and it’s not by chance – it’s likely one of the most ingenious arcade-style indie games you could hope to find.

2024-11-06 14:09