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NEWS.COM SPECIAL REPORT: Best arcade games of the 80s
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June 8, 2007

Imagine you have a time machine, a pocket full of quarters and a Walkman with Bob Seger and Rod Stewart cassettes (OK, you can bring your own). Your mission is to travel back to the '80s, the golden age of arcade games, and play your favorite one.

Which would you pick?

From the launch of Space Invaders in 1978 until home game consoles became popular in the mid-'90s, arcades, pizza parlors and bars were the center of the electronic gaming world. The arcade machines may be forgotten, but the classic games keep coming back for another ride on a new console. This past week, for instance, saw the crowning of a Pac-Man world champion and the release of a new, next-generation version of the game.

Please vote for your favorite arcade game of the 1980s (right) and click to see the current results of the poll. Then, check back later to see if others agree.

Need to jog your memory? Check out this gallery of the classic games of the 1980s. Below are thumbnails and summaries from the newer versions of the original games. The photo credits and review ratings are courtesy of GameSpot (GameSpot is a division of CNET Networks, publisher of News.com).

Asteroids

Asteroids

A 1998 version of Asteroids for PlayStation was so cool you could actually shoot at realistic-looking space rocks. GameSpot rated it 7.0 out of 10.
Vote for Asteroids in our poll at the right.
Centipede

Centipede

A version of Centipede was released for the PC in 1998. GameSpot liked it and gave it a 6.9 rating.
Vote for Centipede in our poll at the right.
Donkey Kong

Donkey Kong

Nintendo's Donkey Kong returned this year with a version for the Wii. But GameSpot threw the barrel over Niagara Falls with a 4.6 rating.
Vote for Donkey Kong in our poll at the top right.
Dragon's Lair

Dragon's Lair

Dragon's Lair, one of the first laser disc-based arcade games, translated well to later consoles. GameSpot gave a 7.5 to its Game Boy Color 2001 version.
Vote for Dragon's Lair in our poll at the top right.
Frogger

Frogger

Frogger hopped back into the limelight with a 2006 version for the Xbox 360. GameSpot liked it and gave it a grade of 7.0.
Vote for Frogger in our poll at the top right.
Mario Bros.

Mario Bros.

The original plumbers from the arcade classic have grown into the standard bearers for Nintendo games. GameSpot gave the recent Wii version an 8.3.
Vote for Mario Bros. in our poll at the top right.
Pac-Man

Pac-Man

One of the all-time greats, Pac-Man was most recently added to the list of Xbox 360 games this month. GameSpot gave it 7.9.
Vote for Pac-Man in our poll at the top right.
Pole Position

Pole Position

The car racing game was very popular on the Commodore 64. This image is from an unrated 2005 version for handhelds.
Vote for Pole Position in our poll at the top right.
Space Invaders

Space Invaders

The original Space Invaders made a return trip in 1999 on the Nintendo 64. It bombed--GameSpot gave it a 3.3 rating.
Vote for Space Invaders in our poll at the top right.
Tron

Tron

Tron moved from the arcade to the silver screen to the PC in 2003. GameSpot gave it a 7.1 review. An Xbox Live version will be out this summer.
Vote for Tron in our poll at the top right.


75 comments

Join the conversation! Add your comment
greatest arcade games?
Where's Tempest? That is a truly great arcade game!
Posted by technikallyright (17 comments )
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Tempest, Galaga, Tapper, Time Pilot, Chopper, 1942
I agree with technikallyright, how could you leave Tempest off any greatest list??? I personally think many of the games on this list are overrated, especially PacMan. Just because it was the true wide release first doesn't make it the best.
Posted by vwchick (10 comments )
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I have to say a big THANK YOU to you! I was racking my brain trying to think of the name of this game for weeks. Tempest was the best! Thank you- you rock!!
Posted by Anabelle_Lee (1 comment )
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What about Defender and Robotron?
I know it's hard to short list great arcade games of the 80s, but Defender and Robotron most definitely need to be on this list! Certainly had more impact than say Dragon's Lair.

In the 80's I remember Defender and Robotron as 2 of the games that would draw crowds to watch for hours on end an arcade hero go for the high score. Oh, the hey days.
Posted by clintworld (1 comment )
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Massive Omissions
Missile Command.
Galaxian.
Spiders of Mars.

Where WUZ you guys, anyhoo?
Posted by BrianFH (54 comments )
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its true !!!
in the arcades I remember finding a crowd around defender or robotron 2084 machines, I always had to wait in line to play, williams made great games back then.
Posted by hector a (16 comments )
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Mario Bro.s
The screen capture looks like super mario bros.
Posted by Slayer One (1 comment )
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Early 80's only, huh?
I was born in 1980, so I missed out on all those classic arcade games. But stuff like Double Dragon, Golden Axe... those are still the 80's baby!!! :) I just googled, and I was right... Double Dragon is 1987, Golden Axe was 1989. Those were the arcade games I really remember! Not that I'm saying stuff like Pacman or Donkey Kong were not good, but back in those days, stuff like Double Dragon and Golden Axe were mindblowing! I remember seeing NES graphics, then going to the arcades and drooling over the amazing graphics. Those were the good'ol days.
Posted by jonathan_a (286 comments )
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Missile Command!!!
Come on, you can't have this discussion without this game! Heck, it came out in 1980. Defender came out in the 80's too, but made it's impact later on, not like Missle Command did right off the bat. Robotron came out in 1982, and cool as it was, Missle Command had it.
No true vote can occur without Missle Command.
Posted by TheeBadOne (3 comments )
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Agreed!
They did leave out some of the best. Missile Command as very unique in it's time. Zaxxon was also ground breaking imo.
Posted by JFLN0007 (4 comments )
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Missile Command Rocks.
I agree... Missile Command was as big as Tron or Frogger. Or heck... what about Berzerk! I can't even imagine how many hours I spent on just Missile Command and Berzerk. I know it was several worn out atari joysticks worth of time however. :-)
Posted by arluthier (112 comments )
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I concur 100% -- Missle Command was the best
Many's the night that I'd buy a roll of quarters at the bar and take on all challengers at one of the table-style Missle Commands with the smaller track-ball. I enjoyed playing the arcade-style machine as well, but I really excelled at the sit down versions. Ms. Pacman was the next most popular game in the establishment that I frequented.
Posted by Eric L. Erickson (1 comment )
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Track and Field with the Roller Ball
Track and Field with the Roller Ball.
If I could find one I'd buy it.
Posted by ifiredmyboss.com (51 comments )
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Greatest Arcade game is not on the list.
There are many games better than those on the list to choose from.
Posted by MrKing.net (57 comments )
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missle command!
missle command!
Posted by mindwise (1 comment )
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Joust
what about joust - that game rocked and i was so good at it!
Posted by samwise_gamgees (29 comments )
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A second vote for Joust
It was a great two player game. By working together, you could
take the game to another level.
Posted by Uncle Spongehead (66 comments )
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Enjoyed too
This wasn't the highest on my list, but in my top 5. Definitely worth being in the list to vote on.
Posted by Solarcat (3 comments )
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Joust
I agree - Joust. But how come nobody mentioned Burgertime?
Posted by nobelium1001 (1 comment )
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My top games of the 80s
So many great games so here is a short list.
donkey kong.
donkey kong jr.
tempest.
joust.
wizard of wor.
crazy climber.
red baron.
missile command.
pac man.
ms pac man.
defener.
asteroids.
space invaders.
dig dug.
galaga.
to name just a few.
Posted by samwise_gamgees (29 comments )
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Excitebike not on the list?
Has to be in the top 10. Jc
Posted by cageman3 (1 comment )
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Wow, lots of people here forgetting a classic!
Star Wars - Tie Fighter!

The hot dog joint were we hung out in high school (83-87) had:
Galaga (tabletop edition)
Joust
Dragon Slayer (was 2-bits so didn't get much play)
A dome-covered hockey game (like foosball)
and
Star Wars - Tie Fighter!

I'd say Star Wars got as many quarters as the juke box during it's tenure.
Posted by critique (7 comments )
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Yes!
A really fun game.
Posted by dmm (336 comments )
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Favourite = Junior PacMan
I voted PacMan but my all time arcade favourite is actually Junior PacMan by Midway Bally. Only problem is that this game seems to have been forgotten by developers and not released to any of the current game systems for home. I would actually love to own the original machine but if not possible, then at least I'd buy the home game system that first releases this game in all its glory.
Posted by DSaint (7 comments )
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Ghosts 'n' Goblins
Ghosts 'n' Goblins and Ghouls 'n' Ghosts had to be at the top!
Posted by keebler80 (1 comment )
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Favorite Arcade Game of the 80's
I really liked Galaga, a souped up version of space invaders.

Honorable mention goes to Breakout.
Posted by katamaster (2 comments )
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Favorite Video Game of the 80's
Would have to be Blades of Steel for the first Nintendo system.

Honorable mention to RBI Baseball and Tecmo Bowl
Posted by katamaster (2 comments )
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Third vote for Joust
I totally forgot about that one in my previous post! What a great game!
Posted by vwchick (10 comments )
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80's arcade games
I would love to be able to find one of the arcade game consoles for pole position that still worked. I'd buy the sucker and put it in my game room. I just don't know where to look for one
Posted by Louiewu (5 comments )
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Try eBay
If you look long and hard enough on there one may pop up
Posted by hairymon (3 comments )
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Better than Pole Position
No one's mention good old OutRun. It came out in 1986. Boy do I miss that game, unlike any other "racing" game at the time, it gave you almost the actual perspective from the driver's seat, not as if you were a helicopter flying above the car. The soft but catchy music was great too!
Posted by hairymon (3 comments )
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Galaga? Tempest? Joust?
You can still find Galaga games in every town still being played. I'm surprised it isn't on the list. Joust was a hard game to even get to with so many people playing it in the 80's. I'm surprised that Tempest didn't make the list as well.
Posted by coopdog13 (2 comments )
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What about Hogan's Alley?
required just as much hand/eye co-ordination as the others. Played for 6 hrs. once on one quarter. ahhhh the good old days!
Posted by tsalagi1 (1 comment )
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The best were
Cyberball
Time Pilot
Galaga
Posted by Drewg (1 comment )
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I play Mr. DO all the time
The original Mr. DO, made in 1982, can be played using an arcade simulator (MAME), and me and my friend, who played it back in the early 80's, play it all the time cause it's still challanging and we're still not tired of it.
Posted by martypdji1 (2 comments )
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So True
Amen.
Posted by Surferbob644 (4 comments )
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One word...GALAGA!
I'm just stunned Galaga is not on the list of greatest arcade games from the 1980's. It's still one of the best games ever, even the console versions. It was and still is awesome!
Posted by nflfan_49 (26 comments )
Reply Link Flag
Robotron hands down, honorable mention to Joust & Defender
You can still pick up the real deal on Ebay... or a 6-in-1 conversion that also has the honorable mentions. Great stuff, but definately not for the arcade wimps playing the cutsey games! LOL!
Posted by jsohler (4 comments )
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