Many cite the Arcade era of video games as the heyday. However, aren’t we in agreement that the current era of micro-transactions, virtual currency, and game pass is the worst era? How is the arcade different when the games were specifically designed to chug nickles from players? Kidding aside, here our our picks for the the best arcade games for the PlayStation 5.
1. TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge
TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge is the perfect arcade game for your PlayStation 5. It harkens back to the classic side-scrolling beat ’em ups of the past, specifically the original TMNT arcade game and the beloved SNES version. The gameplay is fast-paced and fluid, with a great sense of nostalgia for fans of the original games.
The character designs are true to the original, with a mix of 2D sprites and 3D models. The animations are smooth and the special moves are satisfying to pull off. The music and sound effects are also spot on, with a remixed version of the classic TMNT theme that will get stuck in your head for days.
The story is a new take on the classic Shredder storyline, with the turtles teaming up with their old allies and enemies to stop Shredder’s latest scheme. The game also includes a co-op mode, which is a blast to play with friends. The level design is well done, with a mix of familiar locations from the original games.
2. OlliOlli World
OlliOlli World is a skateboarding platformer that takes a simple concept and elevates it with its unique style. The game is the third in the series, building on the solid foundations of the previous two games. The levels are visually attractive and keep players wondering what’s coming next.
The controls are relatively simple, allowing players to focus on the level and not just pull off tricks. The game is designed around challenges and can last for multiple playthroughs, but for those looking for a more casual experience, it can be completed in around six hours. With an expansion pass included, there’s plenty of content to keep you occupied and chasing leaderboards.
3. Returnal
Is Returnal an arcade game? Let’s define what an arcade game is. An arcade game is historically a coin-operated game designed to be played in amusement arcades. Arcade video games are those which have the same characteristics as those games from the arcades, usually of genres of beat’em up, bullet hell, and fighting games. Returnal is a bullet hell game, which makes it qualified for this list. In short, Returnal is the first AAA bullet hell game since Nier: Automata.
Returnal is a high-intensity arcade game with roguelike elements that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The game is set on a mysterious alien planet where you play as Selene, a space explorer who has crash-landed on the planet. Your goal is to uncover the mysteries of the planet and find a way back home. The gameplay is fast-paced and challenging, as you’ll need to master the controls to avoid incoming bullets and enemies while also maneuvering through the environment.
4. Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration
Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration is a game collection and documentary in one. While players can dive right into the collection of arcade, console, and computer games spanning the past 50 years, including some original re-imaginings, they will miss out on an interesting look into the history of one of the most influential game makers of all time.
The game is organized into tracks that focus on different eras in Atari’s history, including Arcade Origins, Birth of the Console, Highs, and Lows, The Dawn of PCs, and The 1990s and beyond. Each track is presented as a horizontal timeline with nodes dedicated to a particular game or topic. The nodes feature interactive elements such as video clips, old marketing materials and manuals, and playable games. The majority of the clips are original interviews with the original programmers and contemporary developers who were inspired by Atari games.
The collection includes over 100 games, with the majority being Atari 2600 and arcade games, but also includes games from Atari’s computer lines and less successful consoles like the 5200, 7800, and Jaguar. Players can also play a few games from Atari’s portable system, the Lynx, and even a handheld Simon knock-off from the 1970s, Touch Me.
There are also modernized versions of some games with updated graphics and gameplay enhancements, as well as a couple of original games inspired by the classics. Players can choose to play most of the games in their original aspect ratio or in a stretched version for modern 16×9 screens.
While some of the games, especially the arcade classics, are worth coming back to play multiple times, others may only be played out of curiosity. Some of the very first arcade games and 2600 games may be considered primitive by today’s standards.
4. Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania
Super Monkey Ball: Banana Mania is a colorful and entertaining puzzle game that offers a variety of challenges for players of all skill levels. The objective of the game is to guide a monkey encased in a transparent ball through a series of obstacles and reach the finish line within a set time limit. The game features over 150 levels that are divided into four worlds, each with its own theme and set of obstacles.
The game also offers a variety of modes that provide different challenges for players. The classic mode is a straightforward level-by-level experience, while the time attack mode challenges players to complete levels as quickly as possible. The puzzle mode, on the other hand, requires players to use logic and strategy to solve puzzles and reach the finish line.
6. Blazing Chrome
Blazing Chrome is an intense and fast-paced action game that pays homage to the classic run-and-gun games of the past. The game features a retro aesthetic that perfectly captures the look and feels of the 16-bit era, while also incorporating modern elements to make the gameplay feel fresh and exciting.
The controls are tight and responsive, making it easy to dodge bullets and take out enemies. The game also features a variety of weapons that you can use to take out enemies, including a basic machine gun, a shotgun, and a flamethrower. Each weapon feels unique and has its own strengths and weaknesses, which adds a lot of depth to the gameplay.
7. Arcade Paradise
Arcade Paradise is a great collection of classic arcade games that are perfect for retro gaming fans. The games are all well-emulated and the controls feel spot-on. The game selection is also diverse, featuring a mix of classic games like Space Invaders and Pac-Man, as well as lesser-known titles like Burger Time and Arkanoid but in a non-copyright infringing way.
Video Air Hockey is one of the first games you can play, and it’s a great one to come back to even as you progress through the game. Its simple graphics perfectly capture that retro, CRT-screen nostalgia that Arcade Paradise is all about.
It’s a smart move to have Video Air Hockey available right from the start of the game. The familiarity of air hockey machines in arcades makes playing Video Air Hockey a nostalgic experience, and it’s sure to inspire you to build your own arcade empire in honor of those memories.
8. Missile Command: Recharged
Missile Command: Recharged is a great update to the classic arcade game. The graphics and sound have been updated to take advantage of modern hardware, and the gameplay is just as fun as it was back in the day. The new power-ups and special weapons add a new layer of strategy to the game, and the online leaderboards provide a nice sense of competition. The pixel art is incredibly stunning.
9. Final Vendetta
Final Vendetta is a top-down shooter that is heavily influenced by classic arcade games like Smash TV and Robotron. The gameplay is fast-paced and frantic, with a wide variety of enemies to fight and weapons to use. The graphics are colorful and the sound effects are satisfying. The only downside is that the game can be a bit too difficult at times, but that’s part of the charm of arcade games.
10. Swordship
Sworship is a unique arcade game that combines elements of shmups and bullet hell games with a minimalist art style. The gameplay is challenging, but also fair, with tight controls and a variety of power-ups to collect. The game’s visuals are simple but effective, and the music is hauntingly beautiful.
11. Centipede: Recharged
Statik is another great VR puzzle game that has players solving various puzzles using their hands in a mysterious laboratory. The gameplay is intuitive and the puzzles are challenging but not impossible to solve. The game’s art style and atmosphere are both top-notch, making for an immersive experience. One of the most interesting things about Statik is that players are required to use their hands to solve puzzles, which makes for a more realistic and engaging experience.
12. Battle Axe
Battle Axe is a retro-style arcade game that is heavily influenced by classic games like Golden Axe and Double Dragon. The gameplay is fast-paced and action-packed, with a wide variety of enemies to fight and weapons to use. The graphics are colorful and the sound effects are satisfying. The only downside is that the game can be a bit too difficult at times, but that’s part of the charm of arcade games.
13. Sol Cresta
Sol Cresta is a classic arcade game that has been brought back to life on modern consoles. Both games are remastered versions of their original counterparts, and they retain the same fast-paced, challenging gameplay that made them so popular in the first place.
Sol Cresta is a side-scrolling shooter that tasks players with piloting a spacecraft through various levels filled with enemy ships and obstacles. The game’s controls are tight and responsive, making it easy to dodge enemy fire and navigate through the levels. The game’s visuals have been updated to take advantage of modern hardware, and the result is a game that looks and plays great.
14. R-Type Final 2
R-Type Final 2 is a side-scrolling shooter that takes place in a futuristic setting. Players control a spacecraft as they fight their way through hordes of enemies and bosses. The game features a variety of weapons and power-ups that players can collect and use to their advantage. The game’s controls are tight and responsive, making it easy to dodge enemy fire and navigate through the levels. The game’s visuals have been updated to take advantage of modern hardware, and the result is a game that looks and plays great.
15. Contra Anniversary Collection
The Contra Collection is an excellent example of a game that has been perfectly translated from the arcade to the home console. The gameplay is just as fast-paced and intense as it was in the arcade, and the graphics and sound are true to the original. It’s a great addition to any fan of the series, and it’s also a great way for new players to experience the series.
It’s a great addition to the arcade-style games we have discussed like Blazing Chrome and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, as it brings back the nostalgia of playing these games in the arcade. The Contra Collection is a great example of how these arcade games can be adapted to the modern era while still retaining their original charm.
It includes Contra, Super Contra, and Super C, as well as a new “Museum Mode” that provides an in-depth look at the series’ history and development. The games themselves are true to the original arcade versions, with tight controls and intense action that will have you on the edge of your seat.
One of the highlights of the collection is the “Arcade Mode” which allows you to play the games in the way they were originally intended, with a time limit and a set number of lives. This adds an extra layer of challenge, making it feel like you are playing the games in an arcade setting.
