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.

Sort by:

Bad Dudes VS Dragon Ninja

DOS1988protected4/5 Data East

Bionic Commando

DOS19883.3/5 Capcom

Double Dragon

DOS19884/5 Technos Japan

Double Dragon II: The Revenge

DOS19884.2/5 Technos Japan

Ikari Warriors 2: Victory Road

DOS19883.6/5 SNK Corporation

Paperboy

DOS19884.1/5 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

DOS19884.2/5 Midway Manufacturing Company

Side Arms Hyper Dyne

DOS19883.8/5 Capcom

Star Wars

DOS19884.2/5 Atari

Super Hang-On

DOSMac OS19883.9/5 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

DOS19893.9/5 Sega

After Burner

DOS19893.6/5 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

DOS19893.4/5 Konami

Alien Syndrome

DOS19894.2/5 Sega

APB

DOS19894/5 Atari

Arkanoid 2: The Revenge of Doh

DOS19894.1/5 Taito

Blasteroids

DOS19893.8/5 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 OS19894.1/5 P. Z. Karen Co. Development Group

Bubble Bobble

DOS19894.2/5 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

DOS19894.1/5 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

DOS1989protected3.7/5 Sullivan Bluth Interactive Media

Gauntlet 2

DOS19894.1/5 Atari

Heavy Barrel

DOS19893.4/5 Data East

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

DOS19893.7/5 Atari

Jackal

DOS19894.1/5 Konami

Magic Johnson's Basketball

DOS19893.3/5 Sculptured Software

Operation Wolf

DOS19894.3/5 Taito

OutRun

DOS19894.2/5 Sega

Qix

DOS19894.1/5 Taito

R-Type

DOS19894/5 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...