Nothing beats the rush of standing in front of an arcade cabinet, joystick in one hand, buttons at the ready, and a digital world waiting to be conquered. Whether it’s the pixelated chaos of a classic fighter, the hypnotic rhythms of a pinball machine, or the nostalgia-packed adventure of a side-scrolling quest, the magic of the arcade is alive and well. However, you won’t need to track down a dimly lit arcade to start changing your dollars into coins. Modern arcade manufacturers are bringing that experience right into your living room.
Arcade1Up
Arcade1Up is one of the most popular manufacturers of home arcade machines. Each arcade is a licensed ¾-scale replica of the original. Arcade1Up got started in 2018 and quickly gained a following among retro gaming fans.
Arcade1Up cabinets come preloaded with multiple classic games from iconic publishers like Capcom, Midway, Namco, and Atari, and some even feature WI-FI for online multiplayer and global leaderboards. Popular models include Street Fighter II Legacy Edition, Mortal Kombat 30th Anniversary Edition, and The Simpsons Arcade Machine.
AtGames
AtGames is a company that specializes in retro gaming hardware and software, and their Legends Arcade Family of home arcade machines are worth a look. These are full-size machines that come with 300+ games from publishers like Atari, Sega, and Data East. You can also add more games later via USB or cloud streaming.
AtGames also has premium pinball machines and plug-and-play mini-consoles featuring collections of classic Atari and Sega Genesis games, along with lots of other retro gaming accessories.
Stern Pinball
Stern Pinball is the world’s largest and longest-running manufacturer of pinball machines. They started as Stern Electronics in the 1970s but changed to Stern Pinball, Inc. in 1999 by Gary Stern.
Unlike home-friendly digital pinball machines like AtGames’ Legends Pinball, Stern focuses on authentic, mechanical pinball machines designed for both commercial arcades and home collectors. These machines feature real bumpers, ramps, spinners, and mechanical flippers, delivering a true arcade experience, and most of Stern’s pinball machines are based on famous franchises like Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Stranger Things, Godzilla, and Deadpool.
Creative Arcades
Creative Arcades specializes in high-end, all-in-one arcade cabinets designed for both home and commercial use. Unlike Arcade1Up, which focuses on individual retro game cabinets, and AtGames, which offers expandable digital solutions, Creative Arcades delivers premium, full-size machines preloaded with hundreds or even thousands of games.
Most cabinets come preloaded with up to 3,500+ classic arcade games, covering titles from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. They feature 32-inch to 43-inch screens and have real arcade-style joysticks, buttons, and trackballs, offering an authentic experience. Many machines support 2-4 players, with some cocktail-table-style cabinets featuring head-to-head gameplay.
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