The best 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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Side Arms Hyper Dyne

DOS19883.8/5 Capcom

The Typing of the Dead

Windows XP/98/9519993.8/5 Smilebit

The Typing of the Dead is a distinctive video game, essentially a typing adaptation of the classic rail shooter arcade game, The House of the Dead. Initially debuting in 1999 as an arcade machine, it later became available on other platforms as well.In The Typing of the Dead, players wield a keyboard to dispatch approaching hordes of zombies and ot...

Dragon's Lair

DOS1989protected3.7/5 Sullivan Bluth Interactive Media

Space Ace 2: Borf's Revenge

DOS19913.7/5 ReadySoft

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.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

DOS19893.7/5 Atari

Marble Madness

DOS19873.7/5 Atari

Marble Madness is an abandoned isometric action game designed by Mark Cerny and originally published by Atari as a successful and iconic arcade game. It was later converted for many platform in 1986 and for IBM PCs in 1987 by Atari.

Hard Drivin'

DOS19903.7/5 Atari

Sega Rally Championship

Windows XP/98/95Windows19953.7/5 Sega

Sky Shark

DOS19893.7/5 Toaplan

Stargate

DOS19833.6/5 Williams Entertainment

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.

S.T.U.N. Runner

DOS19903.6/5 Atari

Ikari Warriors 2: Victory Road

DOS19883.6/5 SNK Corporation

Strider

DOS19893.6/5 Capcom

Buck Rogers: Planet of Zoom

DOS19843.5/5 Sega

Karnov

DOS19873.5/5 Data East

Star Trek: Strategic Operations Simulator

DOS19833.5/5 Sega

Tag Team Wrestling

DOS19863.5/5 Technos Japan

Rastan

DOS19903.5/5 Taito

Guerrilla War

DOS19873.5/5 SNK Corporation

Exterminator

DOS19903.5/5 The Assembly Line

Daytona USA

Windows XP/98/9519943.4/5 Sega

Daytona USA is an arcade racing game that was originally released by Sega in 1993. It quickly became one of the most iconic and influential racing games of its time. The game was designed by Toshihiro Nagoshi and developed by Sega AM2, a division of Sega known for creating innovative and visually impressive games.The game features three distinct tr...