Each year we’ve got more and more new modern games to enjoy, but sometimes it may be refreshing to return to some retro classics from the arcade machine era instead.
Thanks to the arcade emulator known as MAME, you can play old arcade games on your PC. Give it a go – there are probably plenty of amazing titles you’ve missed.
Introduction
MAME stands for Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator and is a result of the work of an Italian software developer, Nicola Salmoria, who wanted to preserve old arcade games and prevent them from being forgotten by future generations of players.
Even though MAME was released back in 1997, due to its simplicity and ease of use it remains one of the must-have programs for any retro gaming enthusiast. Although the original creator of the software doesn’t seem to be involved in the project anymore, MAME still receives constant updates and now supports over 7000 old arcade games for your enjoyment.
Factors to Consider when Choosing
Games that were available on arcade machines came in all shapes and sizes, although there was significantly less variety when compared to what we have today. Arcade games focused mostly on testing one’s agility and reaction time – they were fast-paced and full of dynamic action. They were also fairly difficult, to make players spend more money – let’s not forget that playing arcade requires a coin to begin the game. With each death you’d have to insert another one to continue, so it’s in the arcade’s best interest to not make things too easy. Thanks to MAME, however, you can retry difficult levels as many times as you want, without worrying about emptying your wallet.
Depending on how much of a challenge you’re looking for, you may want to take that factor into consideration. The game’s uniqueness can play an important role, too, especially if you want to broaden your gaming horizons. You should also consider the game’s overall quality – the time we have to play games is limited, so it would be best spent on games that actually provide a valuable experience.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at some of the best MAME games you can play right now.
Contra
| Release date: | 1988-02-09 |
| Genre: | Shooter |
| Developer: | Konami |
First on the list is Contra – simple gameplay formula, but an incredibly addictive one.
If run-and-gun games are your thing, you can’t go wrong with Contra – a game, where your ultimate objective is to neutralize the alien threat. Equipped with a variety of weapons, you’ll need to get through the hordes of enemies, avoid their attacks, pick up power-ups, and defeat fierce bosses to achieve victory – a true test of your gaming skills.
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Rampage
| Release date: | 1986-07-03 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Developer: | Bally Midway |
From more unique titles we have Rampage, where you’ll be able to play as terrifying monsters tasked with destroying the city.
Rampage is certainly not a complex game, but it’s built on an idea rarely seen in video games. The core gameplay revolves around controlling a huge monster who must wreak as much havoc as possible. Climb the skyscrapers, eat people, raze the city – leave no stone unturned and survive as long as you can.
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Punch-Out!!
| Release date: | 1987-09-18 |
| Genre: | Fighting |
| Developer: | Nintendo R&D3 |
Boxing games were quite popular on arcade machines – for example, Punch-Out!! comes to mind.
In Punch-Out!! you will be put in the boxing ring with increasingly difficult opponents. The rules are easy to learn but hard to master – you have to knock out the other boxer while avoiding his attacks before the time runs out. The key to victory is watching the opponent’s moves closely. Look for subtle hints that may help you predict his actions. You must be quick, though – time your moves well and you may get a chance to emerge victorious.
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The King of Fighters '98: The Slugfest
| Release date: | 1998-07-23 |
| Genre: | Fighting |
| Developer: | SNK |
Fighting-oriented titles were also incredibly popular during the golden age of arcade games.
The King of Fighters will give you an opportunity to test your combat skills against a variety of enemies in fair but deadly duels. Choose your favorite characters, master their unique moves, and utilize their powers to the best of your ability to defeat all opponents and become the champion. Timing is the key – try to predict enemy actions and execute powerful combos to gain the upper hand.
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Metal Slug 2
| Release date: | 2016-04-14 |
| Genre: | Action & Shooter |
| Developer: | DotEmu |
A sequel to a well-received shooter comes with a variety of new features to make the game even better.
In Metal Slug 2, you will be playing the role of a real badass. You know that one-man-army type – muscular and armed to the teeth, a popular character archetype in the ‘80s. You’ll have to get past continuous streams of enemies and eventually kill the final boss that guards the passage to the next level, which may sound easier than it is.
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Cadillacs and Dinosaurs
| Release date: | 1993-02 |
| Genre: | Shooter |
| Developer: | Capcom |
If you’re in the mood to beat up some baddies, try this one.
Cadillacs and Dinosaurs combines the two titular elements and creates a game around this uncommon theme, where you’ll be fighting not only normal people but also these fierce prehistoric reptiles. It sounds hilarious and is just as much fun to play as you’d expect. The gameplay follows a simple formula and you’ll quickly get the hang of it – although the difficulty level may surprise you at times, giving you a tough nut to crack.
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Golden Axe
| Release date: | 1989-05 |
| Genre: | Beat ’em up |
| Developer: | Sega |
There are more beat ‘em up arcade games that can be strongly recommended – here’s another one.
Golden Axe is a true classic and it spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs that kept the series alive for years to come. Your task here is to slash through hordes of enemies in order to rescue the king and retrieve a legendary artifact – that’s the only way to bring back peace to the land of Yuria. Choose your weapon, challenge the evil forces, and achieve unachievable.
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Street Fighter II: The World Warrior
| Release date: | 1991-02-06 |
| Genre: | Fighting |
| Developer: | Capcom |
You can’t have a list of top MAME games without mentioning Street Fighter.
Street Fighter is arguably one of the most popular and influential fighting video game series of all time, and not without a reason. The sequel to the original game comes with some major improvements, including the combo system that needs to be mastered in order to defeat more demanding opponents. Try various characters and learn to play them effectively – discovering and mastering the moves of all duelists is part of the fun.
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Space Invaders
| Release date: | 1978-04-01 |
| Genre: | Shooter |
| Developer: | Taito |
The top ten MAME games list simply cannot exist without Space Invaders.
This one is so retro and so classic to the point that even non-gamers should be able to recognize it. The gameplay revolves around piloting a spaceship that can only move left or right and is equipped with a gun used to destroy alien ships that gradually get closer to the bottom of the screen. Eliminate enemies as quickly as you can and try not to get overrun – the fewer enemies remain, the faster they start to move.
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Donkey Kong
| Release date: | 1981 |
| Genre: | Arcade |
| Developer: | Shigeru Miyamoto |
Last but not least, a game where quick thinking is a must.
Even though Donkey Kong is not a complex game, it’s still a bit more complex that a lot of other arcade titles. The goal here is to go through a simple maze from the bottom to the top while avoiding all kinds of obstacles that will kill you when touched. There’s a bit of RNG element added, which ensures that no two playthroughs are exactly the same. You must think fast and act even faster to avoid getting hit and safely reach the destination.
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Honorable Mentions
If you feel like the list is incomplete, something is missing, or you didn’t find what you were looking for, there are other games that deserve at least a brief mention.
Fans of sports games should try Track & Field from 1983. Ghosts ‘n Goblins from 1985 is also something worth being recommended. Games like Frogger or Pac-Man could be a great choice to relive the past but they probably don’t need any introduction. Galaga, Run and Gun, Mario Bros… There’s a lot to try, including some rare and underrated jewels only waiting for you to discover them, so grab yourself MAME and enjoy the classic experience.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
MAME is a great way to relive the past and immerse in nostalgia or experience something new and discover titles that shaped the video game market we know today. It may be a refreshing experience and a fruitful adventure, so don’t hesitate to embark on this journey yourself.
However, you should remember that while MAME software is free, MAME ROMs are not, which means you usually need to own the games you want to play on the emulator. Depending on where you live, you may need to follow different procedures. There are also some free legal MAME ROMs to be found on the MAME website or other places online, so keep your eyes peeled.