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The Resurgence of Arcade Machines: Why Classic Gaming is Making a Comeback

July 15, 2024

There was a time when arcade machines dominated the gaming space – arcades were found around every corner and were packed with people of all ages enjoying the latest titles. However, as technology changed and gaming equipment became cheaper and more accessible in the form of home consoles, the popularity of arcade machines plummeted until it became something of a niche market. There was even a time in the 2000s and early 2010s where it looked like this form of classic gaming would die out altogether; that is until something unexpected happened, and the world was hit with a retro resurgence. People were suddenly longing for the unique charm of retro tech with items such as polaroid cameras, flip phones, MP3 players, and of course – arcade machines surging in popularity and becoming highly sought-after pieces of kit. Below we explore some of the reasons as to why arcade machines are seeing a sudden resurgence, and how we believe the classic gaming landscape will shift over the coming years.

The Power of Nostalgia

To those of us who grew up in the arcade age, a traditional arcade cabinet holds fond memories. The vivid flashing lights, clunky yet satisfying controls, and upbeat soundtracks take us back to simpler times, times when you could only play multiplayer with the person sitting beside you, when 50-hour campaigns were neither required, nor possible, and when each title was built to be enjoyed again and again. The nostalgia of sitting in front of the screen as the cheesy Mortal Kombat title screen comes into view is second to none, making you feel like you’re reliving those peaceful childhood days all over again.

Some may consider the classics to be outdated, and while they wouldn’t be entirely wrong – knowing that every pixel has been handcrafted without access to any of the modern-day development shortcuts adds heaps of character to each title, making you appreciate the level of attention and care taken to create the worlds that have for so long captivated us.

Levelling Up the Classics

So many of the awkward little issues that plagued arcade games were due to the hardware and development constraints of the 90s and early 2000s. Titles often launched with minor faults that couldn’t be fixed in time for the launch, or were poorly optimised for the tech in use which led to a whole assortment of performance issues. It wasn’t until Wi-Fi integration and video game patches became the industry norm that titles actually saw any love from the developers after leaving the factory. Nowadays, you can play a great many of the arcade classics in their more polished form with fan patches and improved performance – all making for a much more pleasant overall experience.

Why not improve your experience even further by getting yourself a custom-made arcade machine? At Arcade Mania we bring the nostalgia into the modern age by incorporating modern gaming tech within the traditional arcade cabinet build – complete with timeless controls and artwork.

Bigger and Better

One of the very few benefits to Covid was that it forced people to discover more hobbies away from the activities they would be doing normally. Gaming turned out to be a great fit for many, and more people than ever began to experiment with this medium as a means to stop themselves from going crazy during the peak of lockdown. This surge in gaming activity wasn’t limited to just the latest titles; it extended its reach to nostalgic arcade games as well.

Moving To the Next Stage

The Arcade industry was projected for total extinction no more than a decade ago. However, as we’ve moved into the 2020s, popularity has skyrocketed and the entire industry seems to be on the rise again. It’s highly unlikely that arcade gaming will ever match the same level of interest it saw before the turn of the millennia, but there’s no reason why it can’t carry on carving out its own niche in an otherwise saturated market.  

The resurgence of arcade gaming is a testament to the enduring appeal of simple, engaging gameplay and the power of nostalgia. As modern gaming continues to evolve, the charm of retro arcades remains a beloved and integral part of the gaming world. Whether you’re reliving fond memories or discovering these classics for the first time, the world of arcade gaming offers an exciting and timeless adventure for all.

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