close
close

Le-verdict

News with a Local Lens

These budget-friendly arcade cabinets are perfect holiday gifts
minsta

These budget-friendly arcade cabinets are perfect holiday gifts

Everyone loves arcade machines, but many people simply don’t have the space in their homes – or the money in their wallets – to dedicate to a full-size machine. If so, it’s worth checking out the long list of mini arcades up for grabs. These are designed from the start until fits desktops and counters– some of which are only a few inches tall and all of which are more affordable than full-size cabinets. They make great holiday gifts for retro gaming fans, but they’re also nice to have in your own office as a display piece (or as a way to take a break from your work).

Regardless, there are plenty of mini arcades available. Some even go on sale before Black Friday, giving you the chance to cross people off your shopping list before the busy holiday season. From Tiny Arcades to Arcade1Up, here’s a look at the best mini arcades.

Small arches

Tetris and Atari 2600 small arcades
Tetris and Atari 2600 small arcades

These little arcades take up virtually no space, with microscopic 3.5-inch screens that can fit on even the most cluttered desk. Despite their small size, they are functional machines. THE Atari2600 The model is particularly attractive, as it comes with a small TV stand, an Atari console and an Atari joystick. Better yet, it supports 10 games such as Pac-Man and Breakout. THE Pac-Man The edition is also quite stylish, thanks to a bright yellow design with retro graphics.


My Arcade

Street Fighter micro player, Galaga joystick player, Space Invaders micro player
Street Fighter micro player, Galaga joystick player, Space Invaders micro player

These models are slightly larger than the Tiny Arcades above, some of which are designed with larger joysticks for better playability. This is particularly true for the Galaga controller player. It lets you play Galaga and Galaxian on a 3.2-inch color screen, but has a larger joystick that should make it more comfortable for extended gaming sessions. You will also find Micro Players to win, similar in size to Tiny Arcades.


Neo Geo Mini

MVS Mini Arcade and Neo Geo Mini international versionMVS Mini Arcade and Neo Geo Mini international version
MVS Mini Arcade and Neo Geo Mini international version

Are you looking for a mini arcade full of games? So check out the Neo Geo Mini cabinet handle up for grabs. A popular choice is the International version Neo Geo Miniwhich offers 40 pre-installed games (such as The King of Fighters and Metal Slug). Consider moving up a gear International version + gamepad edition to get a full-size gamepad for more comfortable controls. Additionally, you can purchase the standalone software 8BitDo Neo Geo Wireless Controllerbecause it not only works with the Neo Geo Mini, but also with PC and Android.


Evercade Alpha Bartop Arcade

Mega Man Alpha and Street Fighter AlphaMega Man Alpha and Street Fighter Alpha
Mega Man Alpha and Street Fighter Alpha

If you’re looking for something more sturdy, take a look at the upcoming Evercade Alpha Bartop Arcade cabinets. These feature an 8-inch screen and stereo speakers and come preloaded with six games each. Here is the full list of games:

Mega Man Alpha Bartop Arcade

  • Mega Man: The Battle for Power
  • Mega Man 2: Powerful Fighters
  • Carrier Air Wing
  • Final fight
  • Knights of the Round
  • Grandfather

Street Fighter Alpha Bartop Arcade

  • Street Fighter 2 Champion Edition
  • Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo
  • Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo
  • Street Fighter Alpha: Warriors’ Dreams
  • Alpha 2 Street Fighter
  • Street Fighter 3 Alpha 3

In addition to these pre-installed games, Bartop Arcade machines can also play Evercade Game Cartridges.

Both Evercade Bartop Arcade cabinets are available for pre-order on Amazon ahead of their November 28 launch date. Note that the Street Fighter version seems to become unavailable randomly. If you can’t pre-order now, be sure to check back later. Both versions support third-party wired controllers and Bluetooth wireless controllers when paired with the 8BitDo Wireless USB Adapter. Consider grouping in the 8BitDo Pro 2 Or 8BitDo SN30 Pro to prevent finger cramps.


Arcade1Up Countercade

Pac-Man + Galaga Countercade and Pac-Man CountercadePac-Man + Galaga Countercade and Pac-Man Countercade
Pac-Man + Galaga Countercade and Pac-Man Countercade

Released last month, the Arcade1Up Pac-Man Countercade And Pac-Man + Galaga Countercade are two other premium options. Each cabinet is playable right out of the box and features a 7-inch color screen and full-size arcade controls. The Pac-Man Edition includes Pac-Man, Super Pac-Man and Pac-Mania, while the Pac-Man + Galaga Edition includes Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga and Dig Dug.