Buying Retro Arcade Games

Back in the day, there was something so simple about hoarding quarters and heading to the local arcade when we were kids. It was good clean fun that left us all feeling like we were amazing, especially when we took that top slot on the board. If you want to get a bit of that nostalgia back or pass it on to your kids, you can!

There are several options, depending on your budget. Second-hand machines that have remained in good repair are available on eBay, Joystixgames.com, and Arcadespecialties.com. You might even find one at an antique store or yard sale. Many have been refurbished and look brand new, with thousands of hours of play left in them. However, these are on the pricey side. Let’s take a look at a few so you can see what I mean.

  • 720 – a skater game produced by Atari in 1986. It’s available for $3,795.
  • Arcade Legends 2 – offering 125 games with additional upgrade packs, Chicago Gaming Company made this game in 2007 for in-home use. It has all your favorites in one machine for $3,490.
  • Tabletop Asteroids – the original Atari release from 1979, this game is the classic flying spaceship blasting asteroids. It’s available for $1,995.
  • Baby PAC-Man – a combination of video and pinball, Bally produced this in 1983. It’s available for $2,490, but there is a waitlist.
  • Centipede – this ultimate classic needs no introduction. You can get it for $2,495.
  • Frogger – another one that speaks for itself, this classic game is available in mint condition for $2,495.

If you want the nostalgia and prefer to get a brand new set, you might be surprised to find out that classic arcade games are back on the market for a much lower price than their retro counterparts. From Walmart to Kohl’s, here’s what is available:

  • Mortal Kombat Midway Legacy Arcade – this arcade game includes twelve classics and is available for only $349.99. It includes:

    • Mortal Kombat
    • MK 2
    • Ultimate MK 3
    • Defender
    • Joust
    • Bubbles
    • Rampage
    • Gauntlet
    • Paperboy
    • Rootbeer Tapper
    • Toobin
    • Wizards of Wor
  • Atari Tempest Legacy Arcade – this single-player recreation is available for only $349.99! It includes:

    • Centipede
    • Asteroids
    • Missile Command
    • Major Havoc
    • Crystal Castles,
    • Akka Arrh
    • Millipede
    • Tempest
    • Gravitar
    • Liberator
    • Asteroids Deluxe
    • Space Duel
  • Ms. Pac-man & Galaga 1981 Edition Arcade – not only does this arcade include the two classics in the name for $599, but it’s been upgraded with:

    • Galaga ‘88
    • Dig Dug II
    • Galaxian
    • Rally-X
    • Mappy
    • Rolling Thunder
    • Rompers
    • Tower of Druaga
    • King and Balloon

While we’ve talked about a few arcade games that are available on the market, there are many, many more you can choose from. As you can see, unless you absolutely must have an original refurbished set, it’s probably best to get a new one so you can enjoy your favorite games without breaking the bank.