Top 25 1990s Arcade Games

[@LuisSilva-f4g]

My favorite arcade game is missing 😢 cadillacs and dinosaurus

[@Papayap0drida]

Reload! Reload! I will never forget that sound from Virtua Cop

[@Bengina3]

Shoot outside screen or was that house of dead?

[@konstantinkoverchenko9587]

Arcade games in the late 80s and early 90s were freaking magical.

[@Demion83]

So not just me who considers that the golden era?

[@PatrickRockwell24]

#1 Street Fighter 2 #2 Mortal Kombat #3 TMNT: Turtles in Time #4 Mortal Kombat 2 #5 Marvel vs Capcom #6 Street Fighter Alpha #7 Mortal Kombat 3 #8 Killer Instinct #9 NBA Jam #10 X-men: Children of the Atom Those were the top 10 heavy hitters for me in the 90s. Honorable mentions were definitely: Lethal Enforcers, Bloody Roar, Daytona USA, Time Crisis and Rival Schools.

[@Mitjitsu]

I don't ever remember seeing Streets of Rage 2 in the arcade.

[@kdj29]

same, only genesis.

[@AFourEyedGeek]

They had arcades that had Mega Drive games as timed play. I don't think it should be considered an arcade game, but you could play it at the arcades, so can't argue too hard on that.

[@sovo1212]

@@AFourEyedGeek Actually, SoR 1 and 2 saw arcade releases, with the original software modified for coin operation, on actual JAMMA boards with Megadrive hardware on it. Different from simply having a Megadrive console inside an arcade cabinet with timed play (I saw those too). But including SoR 2 in this list is a technicality, back then what mattered was the extra muscle arcade boards had to play games you couldn't enjoy on your home, e.g. Final Fight was technically superior and was released in 1989. Having a Megadrive game on an arcade cabinet was irrelevant.

[@-Jamie]

@@AFourEyedGeekyeah it was mega play

[@lauriea2971]

Wow I played 76% of all of those video games including the added ones. Lots of love from Canada 🇨🇦

[@shaunrichardson1581]

I never got to play soul calibur in the arcade but I did on the Dreamcast. I played it endlessly with my brother. It was still one of my favorite gaming experiences to this day.

[@Someinsanegenuis]

I dont understand how Soul Calibur is nr 1, compared to games like Street Fighter 2, Mortal Kombat or Tekken. I get that its some people's favorite, but top arcade game overall?

[@bruceleeroy8302]

This was probably the first arcade game ported to a console where the console was much better than the arcade.

[@dreamcazman]

The DC version is a HUGE upgrade over the arcade version so you didn't miss much. The arcade version ran on upgraded Playstation hardware (Namco System 12) and it showed.

[@afpseb4582]

Soul calibur best mechanics ever. Perfection never been equalled. The best is 3. After that : next gen sucks get slower and ruin all the rythm of fight. Amazing game even if others are good

[@Nightopian1982]

​@@SomeinsanegenuisSoul Calibur isn't number one, it's just the last of the 'honourable mentions' shown at the end of the video. Daytona took the number one spot.

[@Heavy_Hard]

These games look like so much fun campared to those we have now

[@chriswilson9331]

Because back then, if you wanted to be successful, you had to make a good game. Now, all of the companies that were once successful make something just good enough to sell.

[@Heavy_Hard]

It's sad when once an art transforms into a business

[@kevransted9452]

Wrestlefest was the game I played most in the arcades back then. Great list you’ve compiled there.

[@claudevalade666]

No the fack that wrestlefest isn't included means the list sucks ass.. It's should be at least top 5

[@McBean1331]

Hi.

[@oneirofono]

You forgot some very well known games such as Virtual Striker, Puzzle bobble, Aerofighters, Nba jam and cruisin series... they were almost everywhere...

[@bifftannen1598]

NBA Jam & Cruisin' most definitely. There was always someone playing those

[@Elthenar]

NBA Jam especially. That one was absolutely huge and everywhere.

[@victorhernandez4613]

Yes, you are right: NBA JAM was great.

[@JRK663]

I remember playing these games! Lethal Enforcers was my favorite game!

[@preacherjustplayin4408]

Lethal Enforcers was a top class game in the 90's. Thanks for helping me remember it. :)

[@heathgarton3291]

Lethal Enforcers will always hold a special place in my heart. My dad and I would play this game for hours at the arcade in the mall. I miss you every day pops.

[@jephthe6699]

My favorite overall was Mad Dog McCree, in the begining of 90's... play cowboy on a huge screen with real gameplay was an unbelievable feeling!

[@gabrielawada6160]

Yes yes yes

[@Megalocade]

Street fighter 2, Virtua Fighter, Daytona, Sega Rally, Killer Instint for me, though its hard to select only 25 games because the 90s the arcade devisions of sega, namco, capcom, snk, konami etc were banging on all 8 cylinders AAA title after another it was a good time to be alive and a kid especially, its really sad when you look back at how the arcades where then compare it to the crap we have to day, there not arcades as such just a machine the chucks a load of shitty tickets at you.

[@TheClassicAndRetroGamer]

So many awesome games! I loved being in the arcades back in the day, great memories! Thanks for uploading! And I'm loving revisiting these games again on my channel too!

[@abu269]

I remember playing Virtual Cop 2. Completed it multiple times, it was such a timeless game!

[@lukasjozef1774]

Sunset Riders, Turtles in time, The Simpsons, Time Crisis, Metal Slug, Tekken etc, etc... los recre por los 90 fueron el no va mas y por suerte seguimos pudiendo disfrutar y revivir aquellos maravillosos juegos y tiempos gracias a la magia de emulacion. Grande muy grande.

[@davidlevy6418]

Streets of Rage 2 is not an arcade game.

[@ptwrmakes1849]

Surely this is just testament to how good SOR2 looked and played, that someone thinks it was an arcade title!🎉

[@davidlevy6418]

@@ptwrmakes1849 It was a good game, I wouldn't go as far as saying it was like an arcade game. Genesis and the Arcades were like apples and oranges.

[@ptwrmakes1849]

@@davidlevy6418 the more I think about it I reckon he's gotten confused between that and final fight... Also used Scud Race on the thumbnail but didn't put it in the list...

[@davidlevy6418]

@@ptwrmakes1849 Don't get me wrong, I'm not arguing for the sake of arguing. I grew up with the Genesis as my only console. I had an arcade less than a mile from my home. There was just a VAST difference between the two at the time. I agree with you about the confusion.

[@adamcozart]

It was in Japan after the console release similar to Thunder Force 3.

[@bifftannen1598]

Can't believe Mortal Kombat 2 is any less than 8th. I remember tons of people hanging around that arcade more than any other. Dan Forden's sound was a big attraction that most other games didn't have. Nice video though

[@TwiztedSlacker]

X-men (beat-em up), (Marvel vs Capcom (2D fighting game), Cruisin USA or World (racing), Police trainer (gun shooter) and Final Fight (beat-em up) are a few more honorable mentions.

[@guysmiley4830]

I was waiting for X Men and Cruisin USA to show up too. WTF? I still to this day use the X men music for an alarm on my phone.

[@obeii1805]

Lol yea I member x men n cruisin all to well 😂

[@George18798]

Final Fight was 1989

[@Human_Evolution-]

Street Fighter 2 and MK2 were the 2 best. I lived it. No contest.

[@jondoe-du2fr]

Football Champ and/or Euro Champ '92. Also known as Hat Trick Hero. Classic 90s football game.

[@SNKBossSyndrom]

Decent list ^^ The honorable mentions were good too.

[@JocelinCaron]

One of the best is missing : Afterburner arcade was the most impressive! You can see John Connor in Terminator 2 playing it!

[@FedericoCrozzolo]

my god i saw all my kidness here .... such a legends games i played many of them

[@rcadenow7543]

golden age of arcade...so glad we have mame emulator for it!

[@aussiedude9167]

Glad they are your list of games, I'd have ranked them differently.

[@Michael-zn9rn]

Back in the day when crazy taxi was new, I always thought game would make a great walking around world with mini games.

[@Wezi427]

Mortal Kombat 2 and Daytona USA are 1 & 2 for me. I was also a big fan of Gunblade NY, SEGA had some of the best in the industry. Model 2 & 3 games were usually top notch.

[@bifftannen1598]

MK2 & Daytona for me too. Definitely played those the most, then probably Turtles in Time. MK3 was also a huge draw in arcades with people hovering around that cabinet all the time. I think it was Dan Forden's awesome sound (with that bonecrunching bass) that attracted people over there in the 1st place. Many times it was the 1st thing you heard when walking in the arcade. Loved that time in gaming history

[@Wezi427]

@@bifftannen1598 such good times. I miss the arcades

[@williamfideles390]

One word, Cadillac and dinossaur , KoF, final fight, Double dragon etc

[@digitalduch1111]

Fantastic compilation ❤

[@thephiman1]

Soon as the videos starts Space Harrier theme I’m in

[@lionmaru8304]

Awesome list! Great times

[@wizzgamer]

@lionmaru8304 Thank you 😊

[@yungReparations]

9:03 doing this to the player standing next to you in the arcade made you feel unstoppable 😂😂😂😂 this game was so sick!!

[@sorin777]

final fight, street fighter 2, x-man vs street fighter, KOF, 95, 97, 98 Fatal Fury real bout, After burner, crisin USA, Super sidekicks, Space Carrier, outrun...

[@rustycagechannel]

Great list my friend 👊🎮👾🕹️👊

[@wizzgamer]

Canal Win Thanks and Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 🎁

[@rustycagechannel]

@@wizzgamer Merry Christmas and Prosperous New Year my friend 👊🎮🕹️👾👊

[@ahngames]

encyclopedia of arcade games from the '90s 👍

[@papaousmaneseck4797]

i was looking for blazing in a long while used to play it and nevr knew the name thank you

[@dank850]

Nba jam , turtles in time , x-men the simpsons and terminator 2 are the best

[@royalsteven]

Pong, Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros., Snake, Breakout, Frogger, NBA Jam/Hangtime, Virtua Tennis, Final Fight, Crazy Taxi, Sega Rally, Speed Spin, Captain America And The Avengers, Spiderman: The Videogame, Baseball Stars 2, Ultimate Tennis, Super Slam, Super Hang-On, Manx TT Super Bike, Pac-Man, Mr. Do, Battletoads, Street Hoop, Marvel Vs. Capcom, King of Fighters, Back Street Soccer, AB Cop, Taito Power Goal, Super Sidekicks, Sonic Wings, Hat Trick Hero, 2 On 2 Open Ice Challenge, Hit The Ice, Dragon Blaze, Acrobatic Mission, Great Sluggers, Ashura Blaster, Neo-Geo Cup '98, Chase H.Q., Virtua NBA, Dig Dug, Daytona USA.....These are all amazing. And Sega Rally still looks amazing. After 2000 the graphics were better however, like with the Outrun and NFS games.

[@mpmyers123]

great list my friend

[@wizzgamer]

Thank you much appreciated 😊

[@akhandtripathipyz9888]

Turtles in time is no.1 for me

[@jordanbyrd9821]

Me too and then the simpsons.

[@juanrodriguezluis4811]

I´m so happy with the number one

[@klausschneider9963]

Well, I‘m a bit surprised: Not a single Shmup. There were so many awesome games from Toaplan, Raizing, Psykio, Taito and Cave in the 90s.

[@kdj29]

raiden 2 was hands down the best. although giga wing had a huge following.

[@matthewmicallef3947]

It seems like you missed Blazin Stars at number 22.

[@klausschneider9963]

@@matthewmicallef3947 I didn't. An entertaining game, but nothing like Psykio Bullets, the 'on the edge' - Action in a Raizing game or the Dodonpachi Combo-Mechanic.

[@rosstee]

@@klausschneider9963 You may not like it very much but Blazing Star is definitely a Shoot ‘em up/Shmup, so your original comment wasn’t entirely accurate.

[@klausschneider9963]

@rosstee actually you are right. I overlooked it. One Game still is pretty sparse, If you think of later Games from the usual suspects. But nevermind, I enjoyed the Video very much.

[@neftalji]

Where is Cadillac and Dinosaurs? OMG!

[@aznnp77]

I think the key to an arcade game, is it needs to have an attachment or an experience that you can't get at home. So it basically has to be a racing game enclosed in a hutch with a steering wheel, or it has to be a shooter with a gun and recoil. Some of those were nice games, but you could duplicate the experience at home with a controller. I'll never forget the first time I played Mortal Kombat 1 in the arcade. There was a line to get on, and I accidentally did Johnny Cage's special kick and beat the champ one round, but then he started trying and whooped me =P.

[@Bijuklich]

cool list...didn't know there is bloody roar 2 arcade version, so thanks for that :) i just tried few rounds of killer instinct and game kicked my ass 🤣😂

[@jonez3007]

MvC ,sf vs xman ,umk3,nba jam,nfl blitz ,wwf WM arcade game ,C usa ,bruh all heat right there but cant knock you for what u like n feel

[@kurtwong8222]

WTF Street Fighter 2 is the number one arcade game of the 90s hands down! Soul Caliber number one is a joke

[@wiijiifit3286]

Calm down tool bag

[@Hammers-Mikey]

Superb!! 👍🔥🔥🔥

[@wizzgamer]

@@Hammers-Mikey Think your on the wrong video this is Top 25 1990s Arcade games not 80s.

[@Hammers-Mikey]

@wizzgamer my apologies my friend 🙏👍

[@TheRacerG]

@@wizzgamer Why's that, chief?

[@ByteMeCompletely]

I took my young daughter to Dave & Busters, among many other arcades. There was one game with a seat and bicycle pedals. You were in an air balloon and using the pedals could thrust your balloon.

[@rhystheodore4903]

Yeah I remember that too! It was absolutely the most unique looking game in the arcade and probably just as fun to play today

[@avace917]

Very interesting list. I remember and played maybe 2/3 of what's on the list

[@thefarm1918]

Street Fighter 2, Mortal Kombat and NBA JAM

[@max2-iv2jx]

great video!

[@lucamirrione8358]

Spettacolo!

[@beyondcreamsoda]

Hey your thumbnail tricked me into thinking SEGA Scud Race was on the list! 😕 Still a good list though.

[@Blueflag04]

He didnt even change his thumbnail from the other video

[@joselouru]

Wonder boy , vendetta , captain commando , knights of round , Rygard , toki , etc

[@1Chieftain]

Die Hard Arcade was gold!!!!

[@thomaselers7416]

I didn't start watching the video, I just know Scud Race SHOULD be number 1, and Hummer number 2. Ok, now I'll watch!

[@markpotter8280]

Wow the 90's really was the decade for quality fighting games tho I'm pretty sure streets of rage 2 was not an arcade game

[@corruptsolja]

arcade ver of SOR2 was put onto the sega

[@kutulukutu]

I was pretty sure that they were just sniffing glue, then as the list came to a close and Streets Of Rage 2 was on there? I am now convinced they're also eating the glue.

[@phillipb9328]

1. Street fighter 2 2. Mortal kombat 3. NBA jam

[@popeye5274]

Nostalgic 👍

[@IvoMaropo]

The two greatest are probably Daytona USA and Street Fighter 2. SF 2 at 6 is unconceivable, laughable. It was the greatest game of the 90's.

[@XmasTablet]

As soon as I saw Area51 at 25 I knew there was a problem already 🤣😂 it shouldn't even be at top 100 😆😉🤓 haha

[@kurtwong8222]

Ikr, Street Fighter 2 is number one

[@plazdadude]

I was so happy seeing house of the dead 2

[@handsomeblackman255]

Im having bowling alley flash backs......dad dropping me off at 7...... picking me up at 10. Good times. 😁

[@Manwithoutties7524]

Man how could you forgot about Raiden? That game was addicting as a kid tbh ❤

[@sagaofgemini3151]

excellent

[@ChuckieV79]

Such a good list. Well done! 👏👏👏

[@wizzgamer]

@ChuckleV79 Thank you 😊

[@mullerarcade]

Very nice! Liked #817!!!💯✌🏾😃💯✌🏾😃

[@smallmj2886]

I would have put a few more shoot em ups on the list. Raiden II, for sure. Aero Fighters II also.

[@luizpaulofeijodematos5063]

Soul Calibur deserve my like!

[@kdj29]

nba jam shoulda been in there, and maybe blitz too. street fighter 2 shoulda been #1 and mortal kombat #2. xmen shoulda been in there.

[@guysmiley4830]

90's arcades were just too good. It's hard to list all the greats let alone rank them. X men should have been on there for sure though

[@V3ntilator]

GTI Club (Konami), NBA Jam TE and Star Wars Trilogy is on top here.

[@venompoison3226]

2024 miss😢 this legendary game

[@canalgamegenie]

Nice 👍

[@MiguelRodriguez-nt5eq]

90s arcades was the pinnacle of arcade gaming at the time.

[@batzgameguru]

Lost world, area 51, carnevil, ddr, ah the nostalgia

[@jaredthegeneralmotorscarguy.]

Namco 1993 Ridge Racer 15:00

[@apage123]

NBA Jam, The Simpsons, X-men

[@k1filretrogaming23]

Sorry, I don't think street of rage 2 is an arcade game... unless we include mega play games for arcade games.

[@wizzgamer]

K1fil Retrogaming It's definitely an arcade game I played the cabinet myself as a kid in the arcades in a holiday camp. It's the only Streets of Rage game that was released in the arcades.

[@Leo80310]

Its cabinet with Mega Drive hardware, like Nintendo VS.

[@marttull5979]

It was an arcade cabinet

[@coolshtmagazine3732]

​@@marttull5979No it wasn't, but it featured in the mega-tech arcade multi choice system.

[@HandsomeMike91]

@@wizzgamerNo it wasn’t an arcade game. Facts. It was just featured as a 16-bit Mega Drive game in an arcade cabinet. Get some knowledge first. Anyways the list is ok but it’s not valid. It’s just someone’s opinion

[@ath85]

The Punisher was pretty sweet too!

[@ByteMeCompletely]

I wish these games would be resurrected: 1980 Arcade Battlezone 1981 Arcade Omega Race 1999 Arcade Hydro Thunder Dead or Alive 6 1991 EA Chuck Yeager's Air Combat 1989 EA 688 Attack Sub or 1994 EA SSN-21 Seawolf

[@punchabunchabuttons]

how about changing the title to "my" top 25. coz you are missing way too many heavier hitters.

[@deloreanfan81]

I loved T2 and lethal enforcers

[@waynehoward9950]

Point blank was the best game on the playstation 1..End of..

[@gastongaston]

Hello, great video! Could you tell me what shader you used to make the games look so good?

[@t.a.sgamezone5037]

Only just dound your channel, love the reviews of games and your lists of top genres etc. I made a channel and slowly adding longplays of my favourite arcade games - some on your list are great, alien storm, sunset riders, lethal enforcers to name a few and gives me ideas for the next ones I want to do.

[@GodofWar891]

( TrojaN ) 1986...a real game who played ( TrojaN )...❤😊❤

[@blvk3]

street of rage series has only home releases

[@ryandaniels9846]

I loved the Aerosmith game they had, cant remember the name of it though

[@RiverOfBlacklights]

Revolution X

[@BarbaricAvatar]

How can you make a definitive judgement on the quality of the arcade experiences when you're playing them all on an emulator?

[@kurtwong8222]

Ikr, I was born 1980 so I grew up playing games in the arcade’s and Street Fighter 2 is the best arcade game of the 90s everyone was playing that game back then, that game was HUGE!

[@obeii1805]

The four men team arcades days ❤❤❤❤

[@trumpameri1638]

Final fight arcade Shinobi arcade Toki arcade Snow bros arcade AIR wing carrier Tomcat arcade Cabal arcade Operation wolf arcade Pang arcade Battlefields time soldiers arcade Tetris arcade Forever best game all time... i play many more but forget their names

[@Nightopian1982]

I'd honestly really struggle to make a top 25, but I'd likely have Sega Rally number one, followed by Street Fighter 2 Turbo. I wouldn't include games inside a top 25 like Blades of Fury, Lethal Enforcers, Area 51, Alien Storm, The Simpsons, Turtles in Time, or Streets of Rage 2 (although it's an amazing game, the game wasn't ported from arcade to Megadrive, it's just the MD board inside the coin-op, so shouldn't count), Ridge Racer, Killer Instinct, although most probably in a top 50. There are so many! I'd have to include instead the likes of Sega Rally 2, Ferrari 355, Silent Scope, Virtua Fighter 3, Afterburner, Outrun, Ghosts n' Goblins, Galaga, Missile Command, R-Type, Final Fight, Pac Mania, just for starters! As a 41 year-old, it's about nostalgic value and personal impact for me, as much as audio-visual quality. I'm glad you've included a good few of my favourites anyway 👍

[@wizzgamer]

Thanks for watching a lot of those games you mentioned came out in the 1980s so couldn't be included in this list. I do have a Top 25 1980s Arcade games video though where they do feature.

[@Nightopian1982]

@@wizzgamer ooh, that's very true.

[@federicoperez2995]

san francisco rush , crush in usa or world, donkey kong country, mk1, rally world championship. king of fighters

[@briansouthern7067]

Arcades were the best

[@abz5485]

Good times where you didn’t need 2 hours to update a game every time you played .

[@TheZerosophisto]

NBA Jam not in the list and not mentioned??? 😳

[@Punisher8300]

crazy how afterburner didnt make your list. that game was always occupied by somebody in the arcarde and it was def head of its time. Was so popular that they even showcased it in terminator 2 . its the game john conner was playing when the T-1000 first found him in the mall haha

[@wizzgamer]

@@Punisher8300 It sadly couldn't be included here as it released in 1988. Check out my Top 25 1980s Arcade Games video to see if it features 😊

[@Punisher8300]

@wizzgamer I did and it wasn't there either and I watched it before your 90s list haha. Sad panda

[@wizzgamer]

@@Punisher8300 Just checked my 1980s video and that is surprising it isn't there I will definitely include it when I do a Top 100 all time Arcade games video planned for the future.