5 Best Modern Arcade Video Games That Aren’t All About Tickets

by

Arcades today are often filled with games focused on winning tickets, which can be fun and add to the experience. However, the classic, purely skill-based arcade games haven’t disappeared! Developers are still making exciting new arcade video games with great controls, cool lights and sounds, and engaging gameplay that doesn’t rely on tickets. Here are five of the best modern arcade games, presented in no specific order.

1) Halo: Fireteam Raven

Although Halo originally appeared on home consoles, it’s expanded beyond them with the 2018 arcade game, Halo: Fireteam Raven. This large cabinet boasts dual 65-inch TVs combined to create a massive widescreen display. Four players can comfortably sit in padded seats, all within a vibrant enclosure featuring illuminated Halo rings. The game transforms the console first-person shooter into a light-gun experience, where each player controls a mounted turret during a 45-minute campaign set on the original ringworld from Halo: Combat Evolved. It’s an impressive, visually exciting, and enjoyable game. Now available in arcades both in the US and internationally, Halo: Fireteam Raven recently became available after its exclusive run with Dave & Buster’s ended.

2) Elevator Action Invasion

Elevator Action Invasion is an exciting, two-player shooting game that uses light guns and features a unique element: real elevator doors that open and close during gameplay. The game is played on a large 65-inch screen and offers multiple stages, with the light guns providing force feedback for a more realistic experience. It’s visually appealing and packed with interesting features, making it genuinely fun to play. The fast-paced action and dynamic doors create a truly immersive environment. Similar to Elevator Action Death Parade, UNIS created this game with permission from Taito. If you’re looking for a fun and innovative arcade shooter, Elevator Action Invasion is definitely worth checking out.

3) Star Wars Battle Pod

Many fantastic Star Wars games have appeared in arcades, and Star Wars Battle Pod is one of the most enjoyable. Released in 2014, this on-rails shooter is best experienced in the cockpit-style pod version. The game lets you relive iconic battles from the films, like the Battle of Yavin and the Battle of Hoth, among others. The “Environmental” version is particularly immersive, using a large, dome-shaped screen that surrounds the player, creating a level of immersion impossible to achieve with home gaming setups.

4) MotoGP VR

Racing games have consistently remained popular in arcades, even as other video games have been replaced by ticket redemption machines. Their design lends itself well to the arcade environment, providing room for realistic motorcycles, car setups, and competitive play. A standout recent addition is MotoGP VR, a modern take on a classic racing game that uses virtual reality to create a truly immersive experience. It boasts a full 360-degree VR view, 10 updated tracks, and 12 brand-new bikes and riders. To further enhance realism, the game even includes a fan that blows air onto the player!

5) Time Crisis 5

The Time Crisis series is known for its high-quality arcade games, and Time Crisis 5 continues that tradition. Released in 2015, it was the first game in the series to be built with Unreal Engine 3. Like other Time Crisis games, it uses two foot pedals to control movement and shooting. An update called True Mastermind expanded the game to include six stages, making it the longest entry in the series. Even though it’s been out for over ten years, Time Crisis 5 hasn’t been released for home consoles, so you can only play it at arcades.

What modern arcade game do you enjoy playing the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/gaming/list/10-of-the-most-played-arcade-games-of-all-time/embed/#

Read More

2026-01-29 18:21