The nineties were a true golden age for so-called arcade games. This term refers to those old machines that were in bars or arcades, those that provided so many moments of fun to the young people of that time. Some of the most popular titles managed to live a second and successful life on consoles. In this post we are going to travel back in time and relive the magic of The best arcade games of the 90s.
The history of arcade games is long. It dates back to the late 70s, with pioneering titles such as Pong or Pac-Man. But it was in the 90s when arcade games reached a new level thanks to the popularity of titles like Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat and many others that we mention later.
If you are of a certain age, you will surely recognize more than one of these games with nostalgia. If not, maybe this is a good opportunity to discover them. Here goes our Top 10 of the best arcade games of the 90s:
Daytona USA (1994)
Car racing games also took off in the 90s. And one of the best was, undoubtedly, Daytona usa. In fact, its visual effects and magnificent soundtrack made this title truly ahead of its time, offering sensations unthinkable for games of that time. A whole revolution.
Developed by SEGA, Daytona USA was the game that laid the foundation for all racing game that appeared later. Inspired by NASCAR racing, it originally only offered three circuits and two types of car, automatic or manual. And a time limit to reach the goal.
House of the Dead 2 (1998)
Before the arrival of tree of the zombie theme, there were already many players who enjoyed the chilling pleasure of fighting against the living dead and fleeing from them thanks to titles like House of the Dead 2. For experts, the second installment of the saga was the best.
This significantly improves the graphics and game mechanics, while increasing the difficulty levels. When we play House of Dead we realize everything that current games on this theme owe to this title.
NBA Jam (1993)
There are two great basketball games of this decade. One is NBA Hangtime and another, which over time has come to be considered the best of the two, NBA Jam. The matches that were played on the field were characterized by having a short duration and developing at a chaotic pace. Especially in the two-on-two mode.
As for the rules, let's say they weren't very strict. Fouls, free throws and other aspects of the regulation were often overlooked. The general laws of physics didn't apply as you might expect, either, but that was part of the charm of NBA Jam.
Puzzle Bobble (1994)
Almost everyone has played a bubble popping game at some point. Well, it all started here, with Puzzle Bobble. The key to the success of this title is that it is very easy to understand and play, a perfect puzzle for young children who have never tried video games, but also a challenge capable of keeping adult players entertained.
It may not be the most visually sophisticated game. It also does not present much complexity in terms of its gameplay, but it is undeniably attractive and addictive, no matter how many years pass. An achievement that must be recognized by its creators at Atari.
Street Fighter Alpha 3 (1998)
Street fighter alpha 3 It is a completely different fighting game from the rest. More than victory, what is sought here is excellence. One of its great attractions is the impressive catalog of blows, jumps and movements. A true exhibition of virtuosity. The peculiarities of the fighting and competition system, as well as the characterization of the characters are other aspects that make this game so unforgettable.
Crazy Taxi (1999)
One of the best arcade games of the 90s, at least for the amount of adrenaline it allows us to release. Crazy Taxi is an exciting combination of speed and fighting game. Players are tasked with transporting as many customers as possible from one point to another in the city of San Francisco.
It's not just about being fast, you also have to be skillful in scoring the rewards along the way and avoiding obstacles. The objective is twofold: reach the destination on time and score as many points as possible. Vibrant.
Klax (1990)
It appeared at the time as an alternative to Tetris. Obviously, klax has not gone down in history with the same success, although that does not mean that it was not an outstanding game capable of providing, even today, many hours of entertainment.
We are talking about a complete puzzle. A conveyor belt transports colored blocks to five slot machines. The player's mission is to correctly direct them to their destination. By stacking three blocks of the same color, we will make them disappear and we will get points. It is an addictive game that has not lost any of its charm in this time.
Tekken (1994)
Considered one of the masterpieces of the Namco factory, Tekken It is one of the best fighting games of the 90s. The plot is simple: dozens of fighters from all over the world meet in a tournament, each with their own style, their strengths and weaknesses.
The fights are spectacular, including mechanisms to avoid impacts, secret blows and all kinds of juggling. The old arcade machines had a double seat so that players could compete simultaneously, sitting next to each other.
Dance Dance Revolution (1998)
Yes, some outstanding dance games also saw the light of day in the 90s. The best example, Dance Dance Revolution. Today it is inevitable not to watch this game with a half smile. The truth is that this title introduced the dance pad to make the characters dance on the screen using the corresponding buttons.
One of the strong points of the game was that, while it was played, current musical hits played. Although it may seem incredible to us, there are still slot machines in many arcades in the United States. Dance Dance Revolution with different variants.
Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3 (1995)
Fighting games achieved great popularity in this decade. Next to Street FighterThe saga Mortal Kombat It was one of those that aroused the most passions. For the purists, Mortal Kombat 3 It was the maximum expression of this subgenre, where in addition to emotion and competition, there were other ingredients that enriched the gaming experience, such as references to the history of martial arts and Bruce Lee films.
The saga continued beyond the arcade era with numerous sequels. Some of its characters (Sub-Zero, Scorpion, Liu Kang, Jax, Kitana, etc.) have already become true legends. It's been a long time, but this saga developed by Midway is still acclaimed for having one of the best narrative scripts in fighting games.