10 Best Arcade Games of the 2000s, Ranked

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During the 1980s, arcades were the go-to place for the latest video games. But by the late 1990s, home consoles became much more advanced, offering gamers more choices. This led arcades to move away from traditional video games and focus more on games where players could win tickets or prizes. While classic video arcades became less common, they didn’t disappear entirely. The 2000s saw some impressive arcade games emerge, offering updated gameplay, innovative features, and bright, eye-catching lights. We’ve compiled a list of the most successful arcade games from that decade, ranking them based on how popular they were, how innovative they were, and how well they sold.

10) Dance Dance Revolution (2000)

The original Dance Dance Revolution first appeared in Japanese arcades in 1998, and quickly became popular in North America the next year. By 2000, it was a global arcade hit. Over the decade, the game became more elaborate with a wider selection of songs, larger and brighter screens, vibrant lights, and powerful sound systems. This made it a major attraction in arcades, with players often waiting their turn to dance and hit the pads in time with the music. The game then expanded beyond arcades, appearing on home consoles and in a variety of cabinet designs.

9) Mario Kart Arcade GP (2005)

Originally released for the Super Nintendo in 1992, Super Mario Kart is still widely enjoyed today, and even has an arcade version. This isn’t surprising, considering how popular racing games are in arcades, which is exactly what the Mario Kart series offers. There have been four different arcade releases, including a virtual reality version from 2017 only available in Japan. However, during the 2000s, Mario Kart Arcade GP was the go-to arcade experience for competitive Mario Kart fans. While more common in Japanese arcades, these games were also brought overseas for players to enjoy. This version is unique and hasn’t been released for home consoles, meaning you’ll need to find an arcade cabinet to play it.

8) The House of the Dead III (2002)

Light gun games, much like racing games, remain popular in arcades today, and the 2000s saw some truly great titles. The House of the Dead III, released in 2002, has since been adapted for home consoles. This installment continues the story of the previous game, introducing new gameplay features and improvements. The arcade version came in different cabinet styles, each with its own unique light gun. One interesting aspect is the reloading mechanic – instead of shooting off-screen, you physically pump the shotgun. It’s a really enjoyable game, especially when played with a friend, and worth every coin you put in!

7) OutRun 2 SP (2004)

The OutRun series has been a staple in arcades for years. In 2003, Sega released OutRun 2, a fantastic arcade game with excellent controls and lots of fun content. A year later, OutRun 2 SP expanded on this even further, adding 15 new courses with a ‘New World’ theme, plus more music and gameplay features – all of which were later included in the home version. Sega continued to improve the game, releasing OutRun 2 SP DXI/SDX in 2006 with enhanced graphics and better multiplayer.

6) Metal Slug 4 (2002)

Man, I spent so much time at the arcade playing SNK games like Metal Slug back in the day! Metal Slug 4 came out in 2002, and it was awesome, but it took forever to hit consoles – we had to haul our memory cards to the arcade to keep playing. It was totally worth it though! This one really upped the ante with a cool bonus system for racking up kills, plus they added a bunch of new vehicles, weapons, and enemies – seriously, the bosses and mobs were epic.

5) Time Crisis 3 (2003)

The Time Crisis series is a fantastic shooting game that’s especially popular in arcades, though it’s also available on home consoles. A key feature is its unique cover system – you use a foot pedal to peek out from cover and shoot, which works well as the game moves between different locations. The arcade cabinets themselves are impressive, with big screens allowing two players to battle waves of enemies using a range of weapons and explosives. Like other great shooters, Time Crisis is engaging, challenging, and can quickly have you wanting to play again and again.

4) House of the Dead 4 (2006)

The House of the Dead series kept going, with The House of the Dead 4 released in 2009. This game’s story actually takes place between the events of The House of the Dead 2 and The House of the Dead III, and it introduces a new character to the mix. It offers four different endings and boasts impressive graphics that really immerse players in the action. The game creates a sense of panic with shaking screens when hordes of zombies appear, and the arcade cabinet included several features to maximize the scary experience using the technology available at the time.

3) Tekken 5 (2004)

Released in arcades for the series’ tenth anniversary, Tekken 5 continues the story immediately after the previous game. It marked a return to the classic Tekken gameplay, removing some of the changes introduced in Tekken 4, which many players appreciated. The game includes character customization and a roster of 32 fighters, with five new additions. An updated version, Tekken 5: Dark Resurrection, came out in 2005 and was later released on the PlayStation Portable and PlayStation 3, while the original version remained available on other consoles. Tekken 5 was a major hit, paving the way for a sequel, though that next installment wasn’t as popular in arcades.

2) Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes (2000)

The Marvel vs. Capcom series began in the 1990s, and Capcom continued it in 2000 with Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes. This game built on the team-based fighting of Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes, adding features like assist characters, 3-on-3 battles, and easier controls. It was the first game in the series to use 2.5D graphics – combining 2D character sprites with 3D backgrounds – and its large cast of characters, fun gameplay, and appealing visuals made it a huge hit in arcades.

1) Street Fighter IV (2008)

When Street Fighter IV arrived in arcades in 2008, it was the first major installment in the series since Street Fighter III in 1997. This made it a highly anticipated release, and both the arcade game and its later versions for home consoles received widespread praise. Critics loved how the game updated the franchise with its graphics, environments, complex combos, and responsive controls. Although many players eventually enjoyed it on PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360, Street Fighter IV was still a big hit in arcades and helped define fighting games at the end of the 2000s.

I’m always up for talking about classic arcade games! What was your favorite from the 2000s? Let’s chat about it over on the ComicBook Forum – come share your pick!

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2026-02-25 21:17