The most popular coin-op conversion games

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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Cisco Heat

DOS19914.2/5 Jaleco

Cisco Heat is an abandoned racing game set in North America developed by Jaleco and released by Image Works in 1991 for DOS and other platforms. Cisco Heat was converted from the original arcade version. The difference between other similar racing games of the time is that the player drives a police car.

Klax

DOS19903.8/5 Atari

S.T.U.N. Runner

DOS19903.6/5 Atari

Puzznic

DOS19904.2/5 Taito

Raiden

DOS19944.1/5 Seibu Kaihatsu Inc.

Raiden is a vertically scrolling shoot 'em up game developed by Seibu Kaihatsu and first released in arcades in 1990 and later for many home computers and consoles. Raiden follows the classic vertical scrolling shoot 'em up format. Players control a spaceship known as the R-9C "Red-Ray" and navigate vertically scrolling levels filled with wave...

Mortal Kombat 2

DOS1994protected4.1/5 Midway Manufacturing Company

Robotron 2084

DOS19833.9/5 Williams Entertainment

Joust VGA

DOS1990remake4.4/5

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...

Bionic Commando

DOS19883.3/5 Capcom

Aaargh

DOS19883.3/5 Binary Design

X-Men: Children of the Atom

DOS1997demo4.2/5 Capcom

X-Men: Children of the Atom is a fighting video game developed by Capcom and released in arcades in 1994. The game features characters from Marvel Comics' X-Men series, including popular mutants like Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm, and Magneto, among others.The gameplay follows traditional fighting game mechanics, with players selecting a character and ...

Shinobi

DOS19894/5 Sega

Total Carnage

DOS19943.8/5 Midway Manufacturing Company

Space Harrier

DOS19893.7/5 Sega

Space Harrier is a 3rd-person view rail-shooter developed by Sega in 1985. Space Harrier was a hit in the arcades, and later it was converted for a number of platforms, including DOS (4 years later!). The sequels - Space Harrier 3D and Space Harrier II - were never ported to DOS.

Escape from the Planet of the Robot Monsters

DOS19904/5 Atari

Blades of steel

DOS19904/5 Konami

Darius Gaiden

Windows XP/98/9519984.1/5 Taito

Exterminator

DOS19903.5/5 The Assembly Line

Ikari Warriors 2: Victory Road

DOS19883.6/5 SNK Corporation

Yie Ar Kung Fu

DOS19853.8/5 Konami

Pango

DOS1983remake4/5

Hard Drivin'

DOS19903.7/5 Atari

Karnov

DOS19873.5/5 Data East

Yie Ar Kung Fu 2: The Emperor Yie-Gah

DOS19853.9/5 Konami

Turbo OutRun

DOS19904.1/5 Sega

Turbo OutRun is an abandoned DOS action racing game set in North America, developed and published by Sega in 1990. Turbo OutRun is a conversion from the arcade classic of the same name and it's the sequel of the popular OutRun. The OutRun games are regarded as iconic and representative of the late 80s/early 90s, often cited by retrowave enthusiasts.