Coin-op conversions: from the arcades to your home sorted by release date
Arcades experienced immense popularity during the 1980s and 1990s, serving as social hubs where people gathered to enjoy video games. Before the rise of poker machines, individuals frequented pubs or dedicated arcades to play video games known as coin-operated machines or coin-ops. These machines required players to insert coins to start playing, creating a pay-to-play model that was both thrilling and addictive.
As home video game consoles and computers advanced, many popular arcade games were adapted for these platforms. The transition allowed players to enjoy their favorite games in the comfort of their own homes. Systems like the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), Sega Genesis, and various home computers saw ports of arcade hits, often with slight modifications due to hardware limitations.
Coin-operated machines not only provided entertainment but also influenced game design, community building, and the overall trajectory of the gaming industry.
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Bionic Commando
DOS1988 Capcom
Double Dragon
DOS1988 Technos Japan
Double Dragon II: The Revenge
DOS1988 Technos Japan
Ikari Warriors 2: Victory Road
DOS1988 SNK Corporation
Paperboy
DOS1988 Atari
Paperboy was one of (if not THE) arcade hit of 1985. It was developed by Atari for the arcades and later published by Mindscape for DOS in 1988. More conversion were made for quite a few other platforms. Paperboy gameplay is peculiar: you control a boy riding a bicycle and your goal is to deliver as many newspapers as you can to a number of ho...
Rampage
DOS1988 Midway Manufacturing Company
Side Arms Hyper Dyne
DOS1988 Capcom
Side Arms: Hyper Dyne is a side-scrolling shoot-'em-up arcade game developed and published by Capcom in 1986 and later ported on various platforms. Players control a "mobilsuit," a futuristic combat robot, in a war against alien invaders. Side Arms is set in outer space and features mechanical and alien-inspired aesthetics.
Star Wars
DOS1988 Atari
Super Hang-On
DOSMac OS1988 Sega
Super Hang-On is an abandoned motorcycle arcade racing game, developed by Sega, designed by Yu Suzuki and published by Data East for DOS in 1988 (the arcade was released in 1987). Super Hang-On was converted for a great number of platforms including Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, C64, Genesis, Macintosh, Nintendo 3DS, ZX Spectrum.
Action Fighter
DOS1989 Sega
After Burner
DOS1989 Sega
After Burner is an abandoned DOS combat flight simulation game with elements of rail shooters, with similarities to earlier Sega titles like Space Harrier. After Burner was designed by Yu Suzuki and developed by Sega as a coin-op and then converted to various home computers and consoles in 1989.
Ajax
DOS1989 Konami
Alien Syndrome
DOS1989 Sega
APB
DOS1989 Atari
Arkanoid 2: The Revenge of Doh
DOS1989 Taito
Blasteroids
DOS1989 Atari
Blasteroids is a video game developed and released by Atari, Inc. in 1987. It's a sequel to the classic arcade game Asteroids, which was released in 1979. In Blasteroids, players control a spaceship tasked with destroying asteroids and enemy ships while avoiding collisions and enemy fire. The game features updated graphics and gameplay mechanics co...
Blockout
DOSMac OS1989 P. Z. Karen Co. Development Group
Bubble Bobble
DOS1989 Taito
Bubble Bobble is widely regarded as one of the most beloved and charming platform arcade games of all time. The gameplay objective in Bubble Bobble is straightforward: players must clear each screen of various monsters and advance through numerous stages to ultimately reach the final level. Players control two adorable dinosaurs, Bub and Bob. ...
Cabal
DOS1989 TAD Corporation
Cabal is an abandoned arcade conversion of a popular shooter game set in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Cabal was developed by TAD Corporation and released by Capcom in 1989 for DOS.
Dragon's Lair
DOS1989protected Sullivan Bluth Interactive Media
Gauntlet 2
DOS1989 Atari
Heavy Barrel
DOS1989 Data East
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
DOS1989 Atari
Jackal
DOS1989 Konami
Magic Johnson's Basketball
DOS1989 Sculptured Software
Operation Wolf
DOS1989 Taito
OutRun
DOS1989 Sega
Qix
DOS1989 Taito
R-Type
DOS1989 Irem Software Engineering
R-Type is a horizontally scrolling shoot 'em up developed and published by Irem in 1987. The game quickly gained popularity for its challenging gameplay and impressive graphics at the time. R-Type is known for its tough and memorable enemy designs, as well as challenging boss battles. The game features various power-ups that enhance the player...
Road Runner
DOS1989 Atari
Road Runner is a video game based on the popular Looney Tunes cartoon series featuring Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote. The game was originally developed by Atari Games and released in arcades in 1985. It was later ported to various home gaming platforms, such as the Atari 2600, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, MS-DOS and others. Yo...