12 Retro Arcade Games from the ’80s That Are Now Rare
Arcades in the 1980s were filled with bright screens and catchy sounds, but some of the best games from that era are now nearly impossible to find.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 4 min read
The 1980s were the golden age of arcade gaming, introducing titles that defined a generation. While some classics like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong survived, many others faded as technology changed. These 12 rare arcade games once filled arcades with excitement but are now mostly found in private collections or museums.
1. Major Havoc (1983)
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Developed by Atari, Major Havoc was a mix of space combat and platform gameplay. Its vector graphics and complex controls made it stand out but also made it hard to master. Players had to destroy reactors and escape before time ran out. Its limited production and unique cabinet design make it rare today.
2. I, Robot (1984)
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Atari’s I, Robot was the first arcade game with fully 3D polygon graphics. The gameplay was ahead of its time, combining shooting and puzzle-solving. Players controlled a robot trying to break free from a totalitarian system. It sold poorly and was pulled quickly, making original machines very hard to find.
3. Cloak & Dagger (1984)
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Based loosely on a movie of the same name, this game featured spy-themed action and puzzle elements. It had two main characters and required quick thinking to complete missions. Not many cabinets were made since the film didn’t perform well. It’s now mostly seen in private collections or archives.
4. Reactor (1982)
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This game by Gottlieb put players in control of a ship inside a nuclear reactor. The goal was to push enemy particles into the reactor wall while avoiding meltdown. The gameplay was fast, intense, and different from other shooters at the time. Its short production run makes it a rare find today.
5. Journey (1983)
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Journey featured the actual rock band as characters, using digitized photos of their faces. Players had to recover stolen instruments through mini-games. The concept was creative, but the execution was odd and didn’t appeal to many players. Only a small number of units still exist.
6. Food Fight (1983)
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In this Atari game, you played as a boy named Charley Chuck, dodging chefs and throwing food in a fast-paced environment. The graphics were cartoonish, and the controls were smooth. It had a cult following but never hit the same success as other arcade games. Today, original cabinets are rare and expensive.
7. Blaster (1983)
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From the creators of Robotron: 2084, Blaster was a fast-paced space shooter with 3D visuals. It was one of the first arcade games to simulate depth using scaling and perspective. Despite its advanced graphics, it was overshadowed by other titles at the time. Few original machines were made, and even fewer survive.
8. Discs of Tron (1983)
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This was a follow-up to the original Tron arcade game, focusing on disc battles in a 3D arena. It used a unique cabinet with surround sound and multiple controls. The deluxe version in particular is very hard to find. Most machines were damaged or lost over the years.
9. Wacko (1983)
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Wacko had an unusual tilted cabinet and featured quirky alien-shooting gameplay. Players matched pairs of monsters by shooting them in a specific order. The cabinet design made it difficult to repair or store. Because of this, few units remain today.
10. Bubbles (1982)
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In Bubbles, players controlled a soap bubble to clean a sink without popping. The game did not involve shooting or fighting, which was rare at the time. Although the concept was lighthearted, it didn’t catch on in arcades, and as a result, the number of surviving cabinets is limited.
11. Quantum (1982)
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This game was designed to test Atari’s trackball controller and featured a unique gameplay style where players drew circles around particles to destroy them. It was simple to learn but hard to master. The hardware was fragile, and many machines broke down. Few working cabinets are still in existence.
12. The Act (1987)
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Developed by Cecropia, The Act was more of an interactive cartoon than a typical arcade game. Players had to control emotions and reactions in a romantic storyline by turning a dial. It had beautifully animated scenes but limited gameplay. Fewer than 100 machines were ever released.