SALTZMAN: For those who prefer playing Galaga over Grand Theft Auto

Today’s video games might boast photorealistic graphics, surround sound and worldwide multiplayer support, but many still long for the days when games were, well, simple.

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Classic arcade games back in the ’80s and early ’90s were easy to pick up and impossible to put down – so long as you had a pocket full of quarters, of course – so it’s no surprise many with a sentimental attachment to the golden age of arcade games are buying replicas of coin-operated (coin-op) cabinets for their basement, “man cave” or “she shed.”

But with so many machines to choose from, how do you decide what’s right for you and your budget?

While retro game cabinets vary in the number of games they hold, as well as size and style (such as a full-size upright arcade cabinet or sit-down “cocktail” table), the following are three home arcade machines to consider.

FOR THE ENTHUSIAST

Legends Ultimate

A true modern day arcade experience with online play and the ability to install more games.

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As one of the more versatile offerings, the $899 AtGames’ Legends Ultimate is a 66-inch-tall, full-sized arcade cabinet with more than 300 built-in and licensed arcade classics, like Centipede, Space Invaders, BurgerTime, TRON, and Asteroids.

But the content doesn’t end there: You can add more games (ROMs) via USB for a virtually unlimited number of single and multiplayer games (but please respect copyrights).

Plus, this Wi-Fi- and Bluetooth-enabled machine supports the optional ArcadeNet cloud gaming service, with free and paid options (starting at about $10/month) that lets you download additional games, compete for top spot on global leaderboards, engage in online voice chat (up to four players), and even stream select games from your nearby PC.

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Unlike the ’80s, you can even pause, rewind, save and load games for the ultimate arcade experience.

When it comes to hardware, Legends Ultimate boasts a 24-inch, 1080p LCD screen, down-firing stereo speakers, and customizable side art panels. Integrated into the cabinet are two sets of joysticks and six action buttons, two spinners/paddles, a trackball, pinball “flipper” buttons, and customizable button mapping support.

Pros:

– So many ways to add and play new games

– Full-size machine with arcade-quality hardware

– Great customer support

Cons:

– Only a few hits out of the 300 included and licensed games

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– Some issues loading and playing ROM files

– Wi-Fi sometimes disconnects

FOR CLASSIC GAME LOVERS

Arcade1Up’s Class of ’81 Deluxe Arcade Game

Retro gamers with a nostalgia for the early 1980s may want to opt for Arcade1Up’s collection of popular Namco games, led by the iconic Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga.

The $589 Class of ’81 Deluxe Arcade Game packs in a dozen classic games. This 61-inch-tall cabinet is adorned with an authentic light-up marquee, a non-operational molded coin door for authenticity, a recessed 17-inch 1080p monitor, and stereo speakers with adjustable volume.

While Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga share the cabinet’s primary artwork, rounding out the collection is the underrated Galaga ’88 and frenetic Dig Dug, along with Galaxian, Dig Dug II, Mappy, Rally-X, Rolling Thunder, Rompers, Tower of Druaga, and King and Balloon.

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The joysticks and buttons feel the same as they did 40-odd years ago, but new features include Wi-Fi leaderboards to compete online with others (rather than just on one machine) and gameplay tips provided through the companion app.

For casual retro gamers who know what home arcade games they want to play and don’t have a desire to expand the collection, the Class of ’81 Deluxe Arcade Game looks cool and plays well. Arcade1Up has a great track record for reproducing some of the iconic coin-op games from yesteryear – and this one doesn’t disappoint either.

Pros:

– Some of the greatest games of the early 1980s

– Great-looking “hybrid” game machine, taller than most other Arcade1Up cabinets

– Wi-Fi leaderboards

Cons:

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– Can’t add more games

– Steep price and only a dozen games

– Assembly is required (but super easy)

For golf lovers, there’s also the Arcade1Up Golden Tee 3D 35th Anniversary Deluxe Arcade Machine ($859), featuring a 3-inch premium trackball to control the direction, power, and curve of your shots.

This upright home version includes 8 games: along with the original (Golden Tee Classic), there’s Golden Tee 3D (1995), Golden Tee ’97, Golden Tee ’98, Golden Tee ’99, and Golden Tee 2K, as well as ShuffleShot and World Class Bowling (because why not.)

FOR SERIOUS VARIETY SEEKERS

Polycade Sente

Brand-spanking new, Polycade Sente is the most expensive arcade cabinet on this list, at $2,199 US plus shipping, but it earns the price tag thanks to its high-end finishes and ability to play modern games.

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Perhaps it’s no surprise Tyler Bushnell is founder and CEO of Polycade, as Tyler’s dad is Nolan Bushnell, the “father of electronic gaming,” who invented Pong and co-founded Atari in the early ’70s (and a few years later, brought Chuck E. Cheese to the masses).

Polycade Sente (pronounced Cent-ay) is the latest in the Polycade lineup, a wall-mountable retro-looking machine available in white or black and with premium powder-coated steel and various trim options, a 24-inch screen, and a hot-swappable controller system.

Polycade Sente (“playing first” in Japanese) can play both classic arcade games as well as modern titles. It ships with 24 games (about $133 worth, according to Tyler), a mix of old and new, including Bubble Bobble, Bust A Move, Lethal League, Roof Rage, Tricky Towers (Tetris meets Jenga), Speed Runners, and more.

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The built-in Polycade store lets you buy and download licensed titles, with each game showing a splash screen with the controller layout before you play. More games can also be downloaded, including titles from places like GOG.com, or if you supply your own arcade ROMs.

Just as flipper buttons can be exposed along the side, a front compartment can slide open to access the Windows PC inside (with proprietary software), plug something in the USB ports, or you replace the entire thing with a console, if you like. There’s also Steam support for digital PC games.

Optional controllers such as a trackball (for titles like Centipede, Crystal Castles, or Missile Command), light guns, steering wheels, or four-player joystick controls are available to purchase. Other add-ons include a light-up marquee, cup holders, or a stand if you prefer not to mount it.

Along with the unit’s retro look, it’s the modularity and versatility that makes Polycade Sente so unique.

Pros:

– Can play virtually any classic or modern game

– Huge choice in control options (even pinball flippers) and add-ons

– Premium materials and finishes, deliciously retro-looking

Cons:

– Expensive to start and the stand costs extra

– Not commercially sold at big box retailers

– Bundled games may not be much of a draw

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