20 Forgotten Arcade Games That Deserve a Comeback

Many games have come and gone in the arcade business over the years, and some of them are long forgotten by today’s players. This article talks about 20 games that may seem like they belong in the past but could still make a comeback. These games show the creativity and innovation that used to define the arcade experience through a variety of genres and game play styles.

1. Time Pilot

Garrett johnson on Pexels

There was only one arcade game called Time Pilot. It let players fly a time-traveling jet through different times and fight enemies in different historical settings. The game stood out because you could move in all 360 degrees, and the levels looked great. The fact that it has both space fight and time travel themes makes it a great choice for a modern remake. The graphics and gameplay could be very different from the original.

2. Burgertime

cottonbro studio on Pexels

People who played Burgertime controlled Chef Peter Pepper, who had to make burgers while avoiding big food enemies. Thanks to its strange idea, cute characters, and hard gameplay, it became a cult favorite. If Burgertime returned, it could easily cash in on the current trend for retro foods and add a new twist to the fast-paced, maze-like gameplay.

3. Marble Madness

atari games on Wikimedia

In a physics-based game called Pebble Madness, players guided a pebble through complicated mazes. The game stood out because of its unique use of isometric viewpoint and fluid controls. With today’s hardware, a new version could use more powerful physics engines to make environments that are even more dynamic and exciting.

4. Spy Hunter

Expandinglight5 on Wikimedia

Spy Hunter was a fast-paced, top-down driving game that mixed fighting with cars and spying. Players drove a high-tech car with weapons and had to avoid enemies and complete tasks. Adding current graphics and open-world gameplay to the unique mix of driving and action could help it do well and bring in new and old fans.

5. Zaxxon

sega on Wikimedia

Zaxxon was one of the first arcade games with isometric graphics, which made the game feel like it was in 3D. As players flew a spaceship through an enemy base, they had to avoid obstacles and shoot targets. With today’s better technology and easier controls, it would be a great idea to bring it back because of its innovative art style and difficult games.

6. Qix

RDNE Stock project on Pexels

In Qix, players were in charge of a marker that had to fill parts of the screen while staying away from dangerous threats. The game was hard to put down because it had a simple look and required you to think strategically. A newer version could take the idea even further by adding more creative levels and better images while keeping the core gameplay that made the original so fun.

7. Tempest

Sami Aksu on Pexels

Tempest was one of the first vector-based games and a unique, fast-paced shooting game. The player had to get through a tunnel and fight enemies in several bright geometric shapes. If Tempest were redone, it would have bright, psychedelic graphics and more complexity by adding multiplayer modes and power-ups.

8. Asteroids Deluxe

Mikhail Nilov on Pexels

As a sequel to the original Asteroids, Asteroids Deluxe added new features like a shield and harder-to-beat monsters. It was a favorite among players because it was easy to use and allowed players to shoot accurately. A modern remake could improve the graphics and gameplay by adding new enemies and hurdles while maintaining the game’s addictive quality.

9. Robotron: 2084

Badmachine on Wikimedia

This was a fast-paced twin-stick shooting game where players had to save people while avoiding groups of robots. The action moved quickly, and the controls were easy to use; it was a fun video game. If there were a new version with online co-op and future settings, it would be even more chaotic.

10. Pole Position

cottonbro studio on Pexels

Pole Position was one of the first racing games with a first-person view and accurate driving physics. In races modeled after Formula 1, players had to avoid hitting each other and get around tight corners. Immersive VR technology could help a modern Pole Position, making races faster and more exciting.

11. Vanguard

Alena Darmel on Pexels

Vanguard was one of the first multidirectional shooting games because players controlled a rocket that could shoot in different directions. It was ahead of its time with its unique point of view and fast-paced games. A newer version could build on the original idea by adding new settings and more complex game mechanics.

12. Dig Dug

atari on Wikimedia

Dig Dug was a unique action puzzle game where players dug through the ground, blew up, and popped enemies. It stood out because of its strange theme and strategic gaming. If it came back, it would have new stages, power-ups, and better graphics, making digging even more fun for a new generation.

13. Frogger

Frogger on Wikimedia

In the game Frogger, you had to steer a frog across dangerous roads and rivers while dodging obstacles. It became a classic because of how easy and fun it was to play. If it were brought back to life, it might have new settings, changing tasks, and multiplayer options while keeping the fun parts of the original game.

14. Black Tiger

泷 岛森 on Pexels

Black Tiger was a side-scrolling beat ’em up game with action and role-playing game (RPG) features, giving players a unique way to fight and search for treasure. As players went through different levels, they fought monsters and collected items. Modern fans of action RPGs might enjoy a new version of the game that adds more complicated moves and deeper exploration features.

15. Gyruss

Stanislav Kondratiev on Pexels

As you moved around the circular playfield of Gyruss, a space gun game, you would shoot enemies. It stood out from other shooters because of its unique look and upbeat music. A remake could use new graphics and sound to take advantage of new technology, but it would still have the same sense of motion and excitement as the original.

16. Pengo

David Rado on Pexels

In Pengo, players took control of a penguin and had to push ice blocks into enemies to crush them. The unique take on the maze-solving genre made it a fun game that was hard to put down. Fans of puzzle action games might like a revival because it could add more difficult tasks, better graphics, and multiplayer modes.

17. Dragon’s Lair

Unbekannt SVG neu erstellt on Wikimedia

Dragon’s Lair was a video game where you could interact. It used LaserDisc technology to make movie-like scenes. Players controlled the hero through several fast-paced events, having to make quick decisions to stay alive. The animation could be brought up to date by making it more interactive and giving the story more depth to appeal to a bigger audience.

18. Galaga ‘88

Mikhail Nilov on Pexels

Galaga ‘88 was an updated version of the first Galaga game. It had better graphics, more monsters, and more power-ups. It was a hit with fans of the first game because it was a simple but fun shooter. A newer version could bring back the old-school gameplay while adding new game types, online leaderboards, and the ability to play with others.

19. Moon Patrol

Tatiana Castrillon on Pexels

Moon Patrol had both side-scrolling action and a unique vehicle called a moon buggy. Players could jump and shoot enemies in a tough setting. It was fun and fast-paced because you could drive and shoot simultaneously. The lunar setting could be expanded upon in a modern reboot by adding new challenges, levels that change over time, and better physics.

20. Paperboy

Adrian Pingstone on Wikimedia

Paperboy let players take control of a paperboy carrying newspapers while staying away from different dangers.  Fans loved it because it had a strange theme and was played like a video game.  A newer version might have online leaderboards, new tasks, and open-world exploration, making it fun and nostalgic with a new twist.

• Tags:
• Arcade
• Comeback
• Games
• Favorites