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Arcades have always been a beloved spot for young adolescents, with their pockets jingling from change and their eyes glued to beating high scores. But why should arcades be limited to just kids? That’s where the arcade bar comes into the picture. Combining the things we all adore – great food, drinks, and games – video game bars have become the perfect destination for casual hangouts and even corporate retreats.
Discover the Classics
If you’re curious about the games you can expect to find in an arcade bar, here’s a list of favorites that will definitely get you excited to start playing.
Pac-Man
When it comes to classic arcade bar games, it’s hard to find a rival for the popularity of Pac-Man. Invented in Japan in 1980, this masterpiece quickly found its way to the United States. Within just a year of its release, approximately 250 million weekly games of Pac-Man were played. The game even spawned a sequel: Ms. Pac-Man. If you’ve never guided the yellow pie-shaped character through a maze of dots and ghosts, now’s the perfect time to test your skills.
Donkey Kong
Next up on the list of popular arcade bar games is Donkey Kong. Created in 1981, this game became an instant classic. Inspired by the movie King Kong, Donkey Kong challenges players to navigate through levels while avoiding fireballs and barrels hurled by the titular character. Its popularity was so immense that several sequels were made to keep the momentum going. Donkey Kong Junior and Donkey Kong 3 are just a couple of the additions to the franchise.
Tetris
As one of the original puzzle video games, Tetris continues to captivate players even after all these years. Its journey started in Moscow in 1984 and quickly gained fame worldwide. If you somehow haven’t played Tetris before, the goal is to stack different-shaped and colored pieces to create a solid horizontal line. Tetris remains a favorite in arcade bars and has also found its way onto cellphones and tablets.
Pinball
Pinball machines today come in various themes, from movie-inspired setups to scenes from TV shows. However, they didn’t always look like they do now. By the 1930s, pinball machines began to resemble the modern ones found in arcades today. The game’s concept, which involves releasing a ball and using flippers to score points, originated in the 1800s and has undergone numerous evolutions. Forever a classic, pinball can be found in virtually every video game bar.
Air Hockey
While air hockey requires a fair amount of space, an arcade bar just isn’t as fun without it. Created between 1962 and 1972, air hockey quickly became a favorite due to its appeal to people of all ages and skill levels. The game’s popularity is such that a World Championship is held nearly every year.
Skee-Ball
Invented in 1908, Skee-Ball draws inspiration from ski jumps, giving the game its name. Players roll a ball up a ramp, aiming for different point values assigned to short tubes. Simple yet entertaining, Skee-Ball soared in popularity thanks to its heavy advertising efforts. To this day, it remains a staple in arcade bars.
Space Invaders
Released in 1978 and drawing inspiration from media like Star Wars, Space Invaders was an immediate hit. This classic game has proved to be timeless and beloved by millions, generating over 500 million dollars in revenue since its release. Players take control of a 2-dimensional shooter, defending Earth against invading aliens.
Galaga
Similar to Space Invaders, Galaga acted as its rival and was created in 1981. This game also involves shooting down aliens, but with significantly improved graphics. Galaga is a constant presence in arcade bars across the country.
Frogger
The year 1981 saw the release of many video games, including Frogger. The creator of Frogger drew inspiration from his real-life experience of saving a frog attempting to cross a busy road. In the game, players use a joystick to guide the frog across the street while avoiding oncoming cars. Frogger appeals to all ages and has remained popular for its simple yet enjoyable gameplay.
Centipede
Another variation of the classic Space Invaders, Centipede was created by Atari and introduced some unique gameplay elements. Instead of shooting aliens, players aim to eliminate a crawling centipede making its way towards the bug blaster at the bottom of the screen. Centipede is a guaranteed presence in the next video game bar you visit.
Dance Dance Revolution (DDR)
Although not as old as some of the other games on this list, Dance Dance Revolution (affectionately called DDR) has remained one of the most popular games in video game bars. Launched in 1999, DDR gained increasing popularity throughout the 2000s. It was one of the first games to involve physical movement, where players follow dance moves displayed on the screen to outdo their opponents. If you’ve ever witnessed a crowd gathered around two dancing players at an arcade, it’s probably because of Dance Dance Revolution.
Enjoy the Ultimate Arcade Bar Experience
Whether you’re a fan of Pac-Man, Space Invaders, or Dance Dance Revolution, our arcade bar, Ratingperson, has it all. Book a party, attend an event, or spend a fun-filled evening with your favorite person playing games at Ratingperson. We have all the classics you’ve been missing!
To learn more about Ratingperson, click here.