200+ Original Arcades Games & Pinball Machines

1UP Arcade Games List

We are proud to offer the largest publically available selection of retro arcade games in Australia, right here in Morningside Brisbane! There's plenty to get excited about at 1UP Arcade, with 180+ arcade games and 20+ pinballs on offer, plus a new games being added regularly to the arcade! Stay updated with our game release announcement via our Facebook Page and our constantly updated list of games below:

Got a question or game request? Reach out to us through our Facebook page!

Arcade Games
Pinball Machines

The Gladiator - Road of the Sword (Shen Jian - The Road Of Sword)

IGS 2003 (PGM IGS)

The Gladiator: Road of the Sword is a rare game indeed, so rare in fact, that it's almost impossible to find much information about it online! With that said, this game came highly recommended to us and so we embarked on a mission to get hold of a cart, and a 4-Player Cabinet to match, so we can share this truly rare treasure of an arcade game with the world!

'What makes this game so special' I hear your ask? Well having been released quite late in the history of arcades, the game is able to draw upon all side-scrolling beat 'em ups which came before it, to create what could be considered the greatest beat 'em up of all-time! The graphics are simply stunning, with silky smooth animation and creative moves. But it's the gameplay system that really shines with polish and depth. There's grapples, combos, dodge-moves, special moves and 4-player gameplay, which all comes together in a game which feels something like Streets of Rage combined with TMNT and King of the Dragons. Amazing stuff and an absolute must-play on your next visit!

Altered Beast

Sega 1988

You likely first played this game on the Sega Megadrive, and perhaps have never seen the original game in an arcade? Well the wait is over as Sega's beastie classic has finally arrived at 1UP Arcade, in a glorious cabinet we imported from the USA.

The game was designed my Makoto Uchida who was working for his first time in a Lead Developer role. Uchida and his team made great use of Sega's then-new System 16 hardware to feature incredibly large character sprites, and varied parallax scrolling backgrounds in this Ancient Greece themed game.

This game is an absolute piece of Sega's arcade gaming history, and well worth a play-through during your next arcade session!

Vs. Super Mario Bros CURRENTLY OFF-FLOOR

Nintendo 1986

It's the game which put the world's biggest gaming icon on the map, and firmly planted Shigeru Miyamoto as a genius of game design. For those not in the know, Miyamoto is also well known for his involvement in the creation of other popular series like Donkey Kong, F-Zero, Star Fox and The Legend of Zelda.

Often considered as one of the greatest video games of all-time, the arcade version of Super Mario Bros was released a year after the home console version, utilising Nintendo's 'VS System' arcade hardware - based upon the popular Famicom/Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) home console hardware. While the arcade game appears to be almost identical to the home version, the difficultly has been ramped up a little by way of fewer hidden power-ups, narrower platforms and 200 coins required for an extra life.

Playing Super Mario Bros with an arcade stick and buttons is something many of us may never have had the change to experience. Oddly enough for myself, it was the arcade game that I actually played before I ever saw the NES home version!

Xybots

Atari 1987

You'd be forgiven for thinking this first-person adventure shooter was from the 90's, with it's impressive 3D levels which animate smoothly! However Xybots is a very unique creation from Atari, back when they were at the top of their game.

With simultaneous two-player split-screen action, you take control of 'Major Rock Hardy' and 'Captain Ace Gunn' (the programmers were having some fun there) as you battle past robot 'Xybots', in an attempt to clear the maze levels, solving puzzles and engaging in skirmishes as you go.

Designed by Ed Logg, the creator of Gauntlet, it's a little known fact that Xybots was originally conceived to be a sequel to Gauntlet II, with a planned title of 'Gauntlet III: Catacombs'. You can certainly see relationship in the way you move through dungeon-like levels, only in a different perspective, however the feel of the game is very different from Gauntlet. Although well received upon launch, regrettably the game was not a commercial success at the time due to the approachability of the new controls, and as such, a Xybots sequel was never made :-(

Our cabinet is an original dedicated cabinet imported from the USA, and it's in beautiful condition. The game features unique 8-Way joysticks, which can be rotated left and right at the top, to turn your players viewpoint. It's a real experience to play and a must see on your next visit!

Star Wars Trilogy Arcade

Sega 1998 (Model 3) CURRENTLY OFF-FLOOR

Star Wars Trilogy Arcade is one of those rare movie to video game licences where they just get everything right, and truly capture the look and feel of the original source material. If you haven't had the chance to play this absolute classic from the late 90's (or you always ran out of coins to finish the three missions), now's your chance!

The game features a flight-stick as the main control, and you start by choosing the order you wish to play the three main missions, each reflecting a major battle in the original Star Wars films. There's an additional unlockable mission, also, before you engage in two boss fight light saber duels. Good stuff!

Crazy Taxi: High Roller

Sega 2002

High Roller is the 3rd game in the series, adding in the Glitter Oasis location, based on Las Vegas. This new course joins Small Apple (New York) and West Cost (San Francisco) to offer three times to world to explore as the original game!

For those new to the game, Crazy Taxi is just a fast and fun free-roaming driving game, where the goal is to pickup fares, and deliver them to their destination before the timer runs out. Each fair offers a different bounty, and with a whole city to explore, it kind of like the Grand Theft Auto of the arcades :-)

Pac-Man

Namco / Midway 1980

Pac-Man would have to be one of the best known arcade games, probably sitting right after Space Invaders in everyone's memory banks. Toru Iwatani's creation was originally titled 'Puck Man', as the main character resembled a hockey puck. But the name was changed to appeal more to western markets, and to avoid the first letter being graffitied on cabinets!

Most people by now probably have a basic understanding of the game and how it works - or you'd likely not be ready this - so I won't go over the gameplay details. As a critical and commercial success, Pac-Man would go on to influence the 'maze game' genre of the 80's, and establish Namco as one of the heavy-hitters in the video game market.

Played with just a 4-Way joystick (and no action buttons!), Pac-man is easy to pick up, but difficult to master, with strong appeal to both the male and female gaming audiences, young and old!

Aliens Extermination

Global VR 2006

Global VR managed to secure the rights from Twentieth Century Fox to make an arcade gun shooter, based on one of our all-time favourite movies... Aliens! Featuring a glorious 40-inch HD screen, our dedicated cabinet is a glory to behold!

While gun games are certainly a crowd-pleaser for casual gamers, this rendition of the cult classic franchise does an amazing job of placing you in the position of the marines, taking on the hoards of aliens. The devlopers have perfectly captured the sounds and atmosphere of the original movie, combining that balanced recipie of action and suspence. Just don't run out of ammo or it'll be "game over man,.. game over!"

Hang-On

Sega 1985

Designed by famous game designer, Yu Suzuki, who brought us Out Run, Space Harrier, After Burner, Virtua Racing, Shenmue and more, Sega's 1985 hit Hang-On receives a very warm welcome to the arcade floor!

Hang On was one of the first arcade games to use 16-bit graphics, and make use of Sega's 'Super-Scaler' technology, which would go on to power games for the next decade. Our cabinet is an original Sega dedicated upright cabient, imported by us from the USA.

For those new to the game, it uses Sega's familar checkpoint system, where you race to make the next checkpoint, in turn, giving you a time extension to keep playing deeper into the game.

Virtua Striker

Sega 1994 (Sega Model 2)

It's great to be able to add another sports arcade title to 1UP, and this week, we have Sega's all-time classic Soccer (or football, depending where you're from) sim, Virtua Striker.

Using the once powerful cutting-edge texture-mapped hardware of their Model 2 system - which powered games like Daytona, Virtua Fighter 2, Sega Rally and Gunblade NY - Sega's soccer game was well received and is still a bunch of fun today! So grab a friend, and get your FIFA on! :-)

Samurai Shodown IV: Amakusa's Revenge

SNK 1996 (Neo Geo MVS)

SSIV moves away from the darker look of the previous game, and returns to the more cartoony appearance of the original Samurai Shodown games. Gameplay wise, aerial blocking was removed entirely as were the switch-around moves, which would allow you to quickly swap sides on your opponent. A 'suicide' move has been added, meaning your can forfiet a round, to begin the next round with a full POW bar, and there's even some 'finishing' style moves, aka Mortal Kombat!

The graphics in SSIV are as big and bold as ever, with some very nice animation for the time. Easily keeping up with the competition of the era, if you compare the animations with Capcom's Street Fighter Alpha/Zero series. SNK have worked to make SSIV a little more accessible, and there's a real solid game here which reflects the evolution of the series.

Samurai Shodown III: Blades of Blood

SNK 1995 (Neo Geo MVS)

SS3 takes on a more somber tone, with all the sprites and backgrounds being updated to reflect this darker direction for the series. The game controls have also received a major overhaul, with the previous 2-kicks and 2-weapon buttons being changed for 1-kick and 3-weapon buttons, similar to the Last Blade series.

I still have fond memories of playing Samurai Shodown III on my Neo Geo CD. Yes, the load-times were painful - something which always held the Neo Geo CD back with it's single-speed CDROM - but the music was incredible, and matched the tone of the game perfectly!

Samurai Shodown II

SNK 1994 (Neo Geo MVS)

The first Samurai Shodown turned out to be quite a success for SNK, and popularised the weapon-based one-on-one fighter genre. So not wanting to do a quick rehash, SNK would build a mostly new game engine for this sequel, further tightening the controls, adding 6 new characters (with 2 characters from the original not being brought forward), and advancing the combat system.

Adding an extra dimension to the fighting mechanics, Samurai Shodown II was the first fighting game to implement a 'Parry defense system', meaning you could deflect your opponent's attack at the very last moment, to leave them exposed to a counter-attack. This high risk, high reward play mechanic, would go on to be popularised in the Street Fighter 3 series of games.

Xain'D Sleena

Technos 1986 (AKA Solar Warrior / Soldier of Light)

After leaving Data East to form their own arcade game development company, the small team of three would go on to found the company Technos Japan. Technos would release a few titles, purchlised under Data East, which remain largely unknown outside of Japan... that was until they had their first big internation hit with Karate Champ in 1984. But it wasn't long before they had a run of hits on their hands with Mat Mania ('85), Renegade ('86) and eventually Double Dragon in 1987!

But if we back up a bit, a space themed platform-shooter came out a year earlier than Double Dragon, which would show the young team's brilliance and breadth of abilities - and that game was Xain'D Sleena! For those who had the pleasure to play Xain'D Sleena back in the day, you'll no doubt remember it fondly as a game which was accessible, with tight controls and engaging from start to finish - everything an arcade title should be! You start out by choosing the order of stages you wish to play, each presenting a different theme and enemies. After a boss battle, you jump into your spaceship for a side-scrolling shooting level. There's so much goodness here you simple must have a play!

The Super Spy

SNK 1990 (Neo Geo MVS)

The Super Spy was one of the first generation games for SNK's new Neo Geo MVS arcade hardware, when it debuted back in January 1990. They were out to impress with a wide range of game genres including sports titles (Baseball Stars Professional), platformers (Magician Lord and Cyber Lip), Action titles (Ninja Combat), and the some more original concepts like the shooting platformer NAM 1975, and the first-person beat 'em up, The Super Spy! And impress they did! For a selection of original titles and new intellectual properties, I can't think of a gaming system which offered more variety and quality at launch.

But how does it play? Well The Super Spy presents a new experience for any gamer, as there hasn't been much like this before, or since (excluding the Cross Swords game released the following year as a spiritual successor). There's a solid mix of action, and RPG elements which encourage you to play on, and delve deeper into this spy adventure. I remember this game being quite tough back in the day, eating plenty of coins if you let it... so what better way to enjooy this game than in an free-play arcade! :-)

Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes

Capcom 2000 (Sega NAOMI)

Capcom's followup to their most successful VS game to date would also be their first fighting game release on third-party hardware! Instead of using their very own CP System hardware which all previous Street Fighter and Marvel VS games were powered by, Capcom would instead move to Sega's versatile NAOMI hardware, which was based on Sega's Dreamcast console architecture.

This hardware choice would enable the move to 2.5D graphics, with the familiar 2D character sprite art pitched against full 3D backdrops. The final effect would have to be considered the perfect blending of 2D and 3D, before we would see most fighting games make the full-leap into 3D visuals.

With an unlockable character roster of up to 54 fighters, it's no wonder MVC2 is still a fighting game fave even today!

Time Crisis OUT OF ORDER

Namco 1995 (Super System 22)

After many, many requests, the super popular arcade light-gun game Time Crisis makes it's way on the the floor of 1UP Arcade. Considered by many as the definitive arcade gun shooter, even surpassing Sega's Virtua Cop series in many regards, Time Crisis introduces a unique foot-pedal control, which enables your character to duck for cover while reloading their gun. This feature combined with the strict time limit for each stage (including time-extensions), creates the perfect 'risk and reward' gameplay balance which has defined the series.

Based on Namco's Super System 22 hardware which powered games like Ridge Racer 2 and Tokyo Wars, Namco's recoil guns would see a return after their use the the hugely popular Point Blank title, providing a very satisfactory kick-back each time a shot is fired. It was at this point that Namco seemed to be king of the arcade light-gun scene!

Behind Enemy Lines

Sega 1998 (Sega Model 2C)

Behind Enemy Lines is a 2-Player 'on-rails shooter' in a similar style to Gunblade NY, which we've had at 1UP since our opening. However Behind Enemy Lines features a military setting, where you operate a mounted machine gun form the top of a jeep as you battle through four campaigns.

You are given an endless amount of ammunition, but if your ammo-meter runs low, your firing rate will decrease. So it's still critical to pick up ammo-crates and missile power-ups to take out the bigger enemies.

While this is not the rarest of games, there's surprisingly little information on the game online, and I never saw this one in the arcades. So I am excited to give it a play on Wednesday!

Out Run

Sega 1986 OUT OF ORDER

The original (and for many, still the best) of Sega's massively sucessful Out Run series has arrived at 1UP Arcade! Our cabinet is a beautiful original dedicated Leisure Allied Industries (LAI) sit-down cabinet.

While Pole Position may be the game which first acheived a 3D racing perspective, Sega's sprite scaling hardware in Out Run took the 3D racing genre to a new level, adding convincing terrain with hills and plenty of road-side objects. The game's lead designer, Yu Suzuki (Space Harrier, Hang-On, Virtua Fighter), would travel to Europe for inspiration on the games graphics, and together the small team would complete the game in 10 months. Fortunately it was a critical success for Sega, and would become on of the best-selling video games of the 80's.

Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder

Sega 1992 (Sega System 32)

Every now and again we get to not only bring back an arcade classic, but also a game which never received any ports to home systems. And so this week we're pumped to be adding the arcade sequel to Golden Axe, in a glorious Sega 'Swing' 4-Player cabinet!

Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder (not to be confused with the Megadrive only, Golden Axe 2 game) was released on Sega's System 32 hardware, which was Sega's last 2D powerhouse articture, powered by their 'Super-Scaler' sprite scaling chipset. While the super-scaler hardware was most commonly used for psudeo 3D racing games, several side-scrolling games (including Spiderman and Arabian Fight) would use the powerful tech to move and scale sprites with previously unseen levels of detail.

Killer Instinct 2

Rare / Midway 1996

Killer Instinct 2 may not have made as much of an impact on the arcade scene as the first game, but the game was still a breakthrough in so many respects... just compare KI2 to a PlayStation 1 generation game to see what I mean!

Killer Instinct 2 brings back all of the goodness of KI, only this time the backgrounds are rendered in real-time, plus the character roster has been expanded, and a super-move bar has been added.

Whereas the release of the first KI game was suppose to coincide with Nintendo's planned 'Ultra 64' game console, that didn't eventuale. Instead, it would be KI2 which received a console port on the system we now know as the Nintendo 64. Realeased as Killer Instinct Gold, it was a solid home port for the time, but the graphics were scaled back considerably compare to this arcade original.

P.O.W. Prisoners of War

SNK 1988 CURRENTLY OFF-FLOOR

P.O.W. may not be a perfect game, and could be seen as just another cash-in on the genre kickstarted by Drouble Dragon the year before, however those who were lucky enough to play the game growing up will remember it fondly. While the game suffers from an extreme difficulty and repetitive gameplay, there's something about the game while still compels you to play on.

While SNK didn't do anything too revolutionary with the game, the action is very satisfying and the use of weapons adds variety to the kick and punch combat. Grab a friend with this one, as P.O.W. is best enjoyed with two players!

Thunder Force IV

Technosoft 1992 (ConsoleCade Megadrive)

Our second Console-Cade release is the one and only, Thunder Force IV. Considered by many to be one of the greatest shooters of all time, Thunder Force IV is a high energy, roller-coaster ride from start to finish with incredible graphics, varied and fever-pitch gameplay, and quite simply the best soundtrack of any SHMUP!

Released only on the Sega Megadrive/Genesis, Thunder Force IV was potentially a perfect arcade game, however an arcade release would never happen. We are proud to bring the game to 1UP running on original Megadrive hardware, customised to run in a standard JAMMA arcade cabinet. Even after all these years, Thunder Force IV is a real experience to play and a must-play for those who have never before played the game!

Commando

Capcom 1985 CURRENTLY OFF-FLOOR

Commando is both the game responsible for establishing the vertical run-and-gun shooting game genre, and was one of Capcom's first massively sucessful arcade hits, putting the company name into the minds, and hearts, of many arcade gamers.

Popular for the time, Commando takes on a army theme with you controlling a lone commando, taking on a whole army... Rambo anyone! However the graphics and gameplay are very polished for the time, making the game an instant hit, and one which is still very playable today :-)

Baseball Stars Professional

SNK 1990

Baseball Stars Professional is the follow up game to Baseball Stars released earlier on the NES console, and a launch title for SNK's mighty Neo Geo MVS (Multi Video System) arcade hardware. It was the first of many sports games on the MVS platform, and at the time showed off some of the graphic power, with large colourful sprites, that the Neo Geo MVS would become renound for.

For a baseball game, SNK have worked to make the game have an 'arcade' feel and to be more approachable. Getting to grips with how the game plays doesn't take too long, and soon you'll be swinging and catching bases with the best of them. We are glad to add another sport game to 1UP Arcade, and hope to have a few more sports titles released before the year is done :-)

Knights of Valour 2 - New Legend

IGS - International Games System 2008 (IGS PGM2)

Knights of Valour 2 - New Legend is a Chinese medieval themed side-scrolling beat 'em up in the style of Capcom's Knights of the Round, or The King of Dragons. KOV2 New Legends is our 3rd IGS game release, and our first game on the powerful IGS PGM2 hardware platform.

With impressively large sprites and slick character animation that outstrips that of the Capcom's CPS1 and CPS2 era games, KOV2 is available in both 2-play or 4-player setups, with our's being a 2-player cabinet. In addition to weapon based beat 'em up gameplay, lots of enemies and large bosses, KOV2 also includes role-playing game elements like character level-ups, increasing the weapon and armour properties of your warrior. This game is a real gem and a rarity in arcades the world over, so be sure to have a game on your next visit!

Streets of Rage 2

Sega 1992 (ConsoleCade Megadrive)

For our 200th machine here at 1UP Arcade, we're hyped to add our first Console-Cade release to the arcade floor, and what better game to feature than Streets of Rage 2!

Running on orginal Sega hardware in a glorious 33" CRT Viper cabinet, all the action of Sega's best fighting game are now here to enjoy in a real arcade with buttons and sticks! Famously known for being Seag's answer to Capcom's Final Fight (which had an exclusive release on the Super Nintendo at the time), Streets of Rage 2 (SOR2) features addictive gameplay, and one of, if not the best game soundtrack of the 16-bit era!

WWF Wrestlemania

Midway 1995

We are delighted to welcome WWF Wrestlemania to 1UP Arcade in a dedicated cabinet, as our first (perhaps overdue), wrestling game... with hopefully more to follow!

Featuring digitised player sprites, a technique made famous in Midway's previous games like NBA Jam and Mortal Kombat, WWF Wrestlemania is a blast to play with over-the-top moves and all-round wrestling chaos. When playing with a friend, players can choose to battle against eachother as opponents, or to work as a co-operative team against computer controls wrestlers (my personal fave). So be sure to jump in the ring and show your best smack-down!!

Killer Instinct

Rare / Midway / Nintendo 1994

I'm sure anyone who remember's walking into an arcade back in 1994 and seeing Killer Instinct for the first time, vividly remebers the experience. Killer Instinct was a massive leap-forward in arcade graphics and overall quality of production for a video game.

Killer Instinct, or KI as it's known, was also the first ever arcade game to use a hard-drive to store the huge (for the time) amount of data required for all the pre-rendered Silicon Graphics sprites, and movie-driven backgrounds. KI was, and still is, a sight to behold, and a real event to play. The developers at Rare who were already famous for the pre-rendered Donkey Kong Country games on the Super Nintendo, but they really outdid themselves on this one! Be sure to come down for a few ULTRA COMBOS with a couple of friends on one of the greatest fighting games of all time.

Macross Plus

Banpresto 1996

Macross Plus is the third game in the arcade 'Macross' shooter series, and joins the original game, Super Spacefortress Macross, in our arcade with a revised twist on the original game's gameplay.

Coming 4 years after the first Macross title, Macross Plus is once again a vertical shooter (the second game went horizontal) with significantly upgraded graphics and visual effects. Although the game is entirely 2D, there's some great psuedo 3D effects in the background via the use of stacked parallax-scrolling sprites and sprite scaling, which add an impressive sense of depth and that 'wow' factor! The action is fast and furious, and represents a solid challenge even for a seasoned SHMUP fan!

Be sure to grab a friend for this one and enjoy the all the action and character appearances from the Macross / Robotech series! :-D

ROHGA: Armor Force / Wolf Fang: Kuuga 2001

Data East 1991

Super excited to add this incredible Data East game, not only because it's just mega cool, not only because we are the only known arcade in the world to have the game available for play, but because it's a rare gem of a game which needs to be shared with the world!

ROHGA: Armor Force is a unique run and gun style game, where you operate a mech-fighter, battling against an evil organisation to liberate Australia and New Zealand (for real!). But the game's not just unique because Australia features in the plot, the control system of the mech means you not only run along shooting, but you can hover, and perform a range of platform-game like moves. Combine this with two-player mech action, plus levels set in Sydney and other local locations, and you have an Data East classic most of us have probably never even heard of!

Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion

Namco 2009 (System 357)

Tekken 6: Bloodline Rebellion is our recent aquisition and former resident of Timezone on the Gold Coast. This might machine is an original Namco Tekken 6 two-player sit-down cabinet, and has been given a solid 'testing' by some of our regulars :-)

Adding to the incredible graphics, character selected and gameplay of Tekken 6, Bloodline Rebellion feautes even more characters, new backgrounds, and loads of balance changes to make it even better for tournament play. Besure to run some rounds with a couple of mates on your next visit!

Virtua Racing

Sega 1992 (Sega Model 1) OUT OF ORDER

Although predated by Namco's Winning Run, and Atari's Hard Driving, Virtua Racing is known for really kicking off the 3D racing genre, and 3D arcade games in general. It was exactly the proof-of-concept that Sega needed to move forward with their future Model 1, 2 and 3 arcade platforms.

Designed at the time to be a racing simulator of sorts - in an arcade kinda way - Virtua Racing was incredible immersive for the day, and something which was a sight to behold. Our dedicated original cabinet from 1992 is the Twin Racing version, brought back to life for all to enjoy once more!

Thundercade / Twin Formation

Taito 1987

Thundercade is a unique (and awesome!) vertical shooter from arcade vetrans, Taito, where you control a motocycle which collects sidecars as powerups - original and great fun!

So being a forced-scrolling shooter, but with a land-base main character, it means you have the joys of a vertical shooter, with objects to shoot/avoid, without the hastle of constantly pushing the screen forward. The keeps the action rolling along, while you focus on upgrading your bike, and taking down the badies. Furthermore, two sidecar updates can be added to your bike, one on each side. They are even able to take a hit for you without you 'biting the bullet'. Hoorah!

NAM 1975

SNK 1990 (Neo Geo MVS)

As one of the original launch titles for SNK's Neo Geo MVS arcade system, NAM 1975 had to acheive high... and if you compare it to many games of 1990 you'll see they ticked that box, and gave us a unique game of which we wouldn't see again on the Neo Geo platform.

NAM 1975 is a war themed game in the style popularised by Cabal, Dynamite Duke and Blood Bros. The game works as a shooting gallery game, only in third person with joystick+buttons controls - instead of a gun! Although this may sound contrived, this genre instead brings something truely unique and rewarding, with a mix of target shooting and platforming skills required to master the game. An SNK gem which must be played.

Blade Master

Irem 1991 (Irem M92?)

This week we're so proud to release a super-rare game from famed arcade developer everyone knows for smash-hits like R-Type, Gunforce, In The Hunt, Image Fight and more.... of course it's none other than Irem. But just how rare is this game? Well rare enough to barely have a Wikipedia entry, and for the hardware system to not be offically confirmed!

With only one other arcade in the world to being known to have this game avaiable for play, Blade Master is a welcome addition to the arcade. It' an exciting side-scroller hack-em up in the style of Golden Axe, where you can expect exceptional graphics, tough battles, and amazing fantasy environments. A must play on your next visit!

Metal Slug 5

Noise Factory / SNK Playmore 2003 (Neo Geo MVS)

With the demise of SNK, and the reformation of SNK Playmore to carry the name forward, Metal Slug 5 would be one of the last Neo Geo MVS games ever made, before SNK Playmore would move over to Sammy's Atomiswave hardware platform to prevent the now rampant boot-legging of their MVS games.

With the troubles which plagued the development of MS4 behind them, more resources were allocated to make sure MS5 was a fresh game, with all new backgrounds and a completely new take of the game's music. To speed up the gameplay, a slide/dash move has now been added for each character.

Metal Slug 4

Mega Enterprise / Noise Factory 2002 (Neo Geo MVS)

As a sad part of SNK's history, Metal Slug 4 was under development during SNK's bankruptcy :-(

Perhaps as a result of this, MS4 doesn't manage to bring as many fresh ideas to the table as previous titles, and is forced to reuse more graphical assets from former games. But without a doubt, Mega Enterprise / Noise Factory (who actually did the music for the previous game) should still be credited with an incredible effort on keeping the Metal Slug series going in the face of uncertainty.

Metal Slug 3

SNK 2000 (Neo Geo MVS)

Considered by many as the best game in the series, Metal Slug 3 adds a tonne more vehicles, new character transformations, and a first for the series, branching pathways through stages!

By mixing up the levels with multiple pathways for reaching the stage boss, not only has the replay value of the game greatly increased, so too has the amount of Metal Slugging action packed into this title. MS3 also adds underwater levels, and a completely new graphics for backgrounds, many new enemies and more!. It's oh so good, and oh so much fun! Be sure to grab a friend for ultimate run-and-gun carnage!!

Metal Slug X

SNK 1999 (Neo Geo MVS)

'X' is the outlier of the Neo Geo MVS Metal Slug series, in that it's a remix/re-release of Metal Slug 2, instead of a whole new game in it's own right. The main reason cited for this game being made, was to address complaints of excessive slow-down of the former game.

However rather than a bland re-release, in addition to fixing the slow-down issues, Metal Slug X receives a raft of improvements to the game. Even though the two games ('2' and 'X') may look much the same at a glance, the music has been remixed, the stages re-coloured with a different time of day appearance, more enemies have been added upping the difficulty, and even new weapons are gratefully introduced!

Metal Slug 2

SNK 1998 (Neo Geo MVS)

Although the first Metal Slug game was made by Nazca Corporation in 1996, this former Irem development team was acquired by SNK during the making of Metal Slug 2. However true to form, the fun, humour and insane run-and-gun action of the first game carries over with a wide range of improvements and additions to the massively successful prequel.

Metal Slug 2 adds a number of new weapons, vehicles, and now even transformations to mix up the action... and of course, everything is exquisitely animated in that beautiful neo-apocalyptic way we've all come to know and love from the ex-Irem team.

Real Bout Fatal Fury Special

SNK 1997 (Neo Geo MVS)

Real Bout Fatal Fury Special (RBFFS) is more than just an annual update to the previous game, as this time all the character sprites are redrawn from the Fatal Fury games which came before... and I love the sprite-work!

Building on the new Fatal Fury artitecure of the previous game, the 'oversway' system is simplified a little to two-planes of fighting instead of three, and 4 new characters from the original Fatal Fury Special are added to the roster, with a bunch of hidden characters, making for 24 characters total. Generally speaking, this update of the game is prefered over RBFF... however... there was one more Real Bout game to come...

Real Bout Fatal Fury

SNK 1995 (Neo Geo MVS)

SNK were very busy in the mid 90's. Not only was Real Bout Fatal Fury (RBFF) released just 9 months ater Fatal Fury 3, RBFF feels like a complete reboot of the series, with loads of new graphics (some characters have been redrawn and all new backgrounds), in a more modern style.

But RBFF isn't just a cosmetic update, it steps back and takes a look at all things Fatal Fury, and rebalances everything to create - in my opionion - the best of the series to date! There 'Oversway' multi-plane fighting system is revised, a Power Guage added for new special moves abd 'Guard Cancels', and even Virtua Fighter style 'ring-outs' are here for added joy. There's plenty to enjoy here :-)

Wonder Boy

Sega 1986 (Sega System 1)

For our 150th game release at 1UP Arcade, it simply had to be an all-time classic like Wonder Boy! Although usually credited as a smash-hit game from Sega, both the Wonder Boy and Monster Land games were developed by a company known as Escape (and later, Westone Bit Entertainment). Considering the magnitude of these two titles, they are not known for any other games oddly enough.

So why is Wonder Boy so revered? Well for starters, after some 30 years on the game is still a complete joy to pick up and play. Despite running on limited hardware, the graphics, music and game controls are brilliantly implemented, and come across well even today. It's just a perfect storm of arcade action and approachability.

Raiden

Seibu Kaihatsu 1990

Raiden is one very special shooter. While the game essentially did nothing new, it instead took the entire linage of incredible Toaplan arcade shooters - like Twin Cobra, Fire Shark and Truxton - and put it all together in a tighter package then even Toaplan had ever managed! The result, a compelling and addictive shooter which spans the eras of classic arcade shooters of the 80's, and modern 'pre-bullet hell' shooters of the 2000's.

If you haven't played the original Raiden and you are at all interested in vertical shooters, then you simply have to play this game. Even though Raiden II would go on to introduce more weapons and razzle-dazzel, you'll find the absolute purity of why the Raiden series is so loved right here, without the need for any more fluff or effects :-)

Zero Wing

Toaplan 1989

"All your base are belong to us" Well technically, this quote belongs to the Mega Drive port of the game which featured the famously translated intro scene. But MEME infamy aside, there's a solid side-scrolling arcade shooter here with plenty of Toaplan greatness!

Without a doubt, given the space side-scroller style comparisons to R-Type will be made, but put that aside as this game certainly isn't a copy-cat. Toaplan have produced a simple, but engaging side-shooter here with some truely epic enemy ships/monsters, and huge boss battles! Simultaneous two-player action is also another area where this game elevates to provide loads of fun for you and a friend!

Fatal Fury 3: Road to the Final Victory

SNK 1995 (Neo Geo MVS)

Two years had passed since Fatal Fury Special allowing the SNK team to redesign the graphics for this release, with improved animations and character definition, while the gameplay system has also received a new treatment.

In FF3 there's only 5 returning fighters, 5 new fighters, and 3 new bosses. Keeping with Fatal Fury's multi-plane playfield concept which defines the series, FF3 adds three planes of fighting, however the way they work has been completely revised. Game on!

Fatal Fury Special

SNK 1993 (Neo Geo MVS)

At first glance Fatal Fury Special looks like a cheap, half-baked follow-up to FF2, however unpon closer inspection there's a bit more to the game which really makes it one fo the worthy entries in the series.

A multitude of changes for FF Special result in a game which is probably the most well-rounded of the original FF series (up until Real Bout Fatal Fury that is). With learning from FF1 and FF2 under their belt, FF Special has had extensive gameplay tweaks and character balances to create a game which can even be enjoyed in competitive circles. Revised graphics and a further expanded character roster just round out this awesome package.

Fatal Fury 2

SNK 1992 (Neo Geo MVS)

Fatal Fury was SNK's first one-on-one fighter for the Neo Geo MVS system, and with it's success in the arcades, sequels would follow.

Which brings us to Fatal Fury 2. However this game isn't just a rehash with a few new characters, as many changes were made to the graphics, gameplay and controls. A wider range of moves are now available to each fighter, with a new control system utilised for the dual-plane fighting playfield the FF series pioneered. Some stages now included hazards to be avoided, or to hit your opponent into, and five new playable characters have been added!

Samurai Shodown VI

SNK Playmore 2005 (Sammy Atomiswave)

Although it's the tenth game in the Samurai Shodown series, SS6 is the sixth main game of the series - hence the title - and the main followup to the 5 games released on SNK's mighty Neo Geo MVS system. This time the game moves to Sammy's Atomiswave hardware, which is based on Sega's NAOMI system, an arcade version of the Sega Dreamcast system. Confused yet!? :-)

All that aside, SS6 carries on the tradition of the series which popularised one-on-one sword fighting, and ups the anti with higher resolution graphics and improved animations. If you are new to Samurai Shodown, we also have the original game in the series which still hold up so well today!

Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors

Capcom 1995 (CPS2)

Also known in Japan as 'Vampire Hunter: Darkstalkers Revenge', Night Warriors is the second game in the Darkistalkers series, which adds two new selectable characters and many refinements to the gameplay system.

For those new to Capcom's Darkstalkers series, think Street Figher 2 with bigger, bolder anime style sprites - similar to those of the SF Alpha/Zero fighters. However don't dismiss this as just another SF clone, as Darkstalkers brings a whole new world of fighting to the Capcom universe. The gameplay has a unique feel of it's own leading to a different set of followers for this series.

A little bit of a rarity here in Australian arcades, Darkstalkers is one game you may have missed, but is certainly worth your time!

Virtua Tennis 4

Sega 2011 (Sega RingEdge) CURRENTLY OFF-FLOOR

OK I'll admit it, we don't have enough sports games in the arcade... but we're working to change that! Unfortunately there never were a lot of sports games released in arcades, as most seemed to do better on home consoles. But with this incredible 4-Player game release, we're hoping to address that issue.

Oddly enough, Virtua Tennis 4 is the sixth game in Sega's sucessful tennis game series which started back in 1999. However this version represents the best of the series, with 19 licensed players represented (including Federer, Nadal, Murray, Sharapova, Wozniacki and Williams), excellent HD graphics, and loads of bonus mini-games. But best of all, ours is an original dedicated Sega 4-Player arcade cabinet, so you can play doubles with three of your friends. Hurah!!

Bubble Bobble

Taito 1986

Whether it's the catchy melody from composer Tadashi Kimijima which brings back happy memories reminiscent of an ice cream truck when you'ree 5 years old, or the addictive game play which Fukio Mitsuji crafted so perfectly, inspiring a whole new genre of platform games, Bubble Bobble is an essential addition to the 1UP Arcade line up. A true classic, and one which plays just as well today as it did back in 1986!

Such was the incredible popularity of Babble Bobble back in the day, that it was ported to just about every home system imaginable, including: Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, Amiga, Atari ST, MSX2, Amstrad CPC, X68000, MS-DOS, Apple II, FM Towns Marty, Master System, Game Boy, Game Boy Color, PlayStation, Saturn, NES, Famicom Disk System, Game Gear, mobile phone (Sprint PCS) and UltraCade's Taito Arcade Classics.

Varth: Operation Thunderstorm

Capcom 1992 (CPS1 System)

Another classic Capcom shooter joins the arcade with Varth: Operation Thunderstorm. Following on from Capcom's wealth of experience with games like the 1942 series, and U.N. Squadron, Varth combines the best of these games into an exciting new shooting adventure!!!

With 30 levels of action, Varth breaks away from the shooting game norm by having a load of, admitably shorter, stages, with a boss facing off only every 3 or 4 levels. This is one game I never had the pleasure of seeing in an arcade growing up, so it's such a nice gem to have on hand at 1UP now :-)

Donkey Kong

Nintendo 1981

Quite possibly the most famous (and infamous) arcade game of all time, Donkey Kong proudly joins the 1UP Arcade line-up this week! Join Donkey Kong and Jumpman, well before he would be known as Mario, in this all-time arcade classic.

Our dedicated Nintendo cabinet brings back all the joys of the 1981 game for new fans and old veterans. New fans can discover how it can be challenging to 'break the ice' on this game and even beat the first stage... while the veterans can try their hand at cracking over one million points, putting Billy Mitchell to shame, and setting what would be considered the most famous arcade world record! :-)

Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting

Capcom 1992 (CPS1 System)

The final game in the original Street Fighter 2 series to be released on the Capcom CPS1 hardware would prove to be one of the most popular SF games ever! Although released less than a year after SF2: Champion Edition, Hyper Fighting adds in a host of new moves in addition to the increased game speed, in an effort to bring more balance to the character line-up.

...and they must have been sucessful! As to this day, Hyper Fighting is still featured in competitive play tournaments around the world. My time with Hyper Fighting growing up was very limited, so I look forward to delving into this game, and as always a few fun games with people in the arcade!

Combatribes

Technos Japan Corp (1990)

At 1UP we're big fans of the beat 'em up, which brings us to Combatribes, our latest side-scrolling brawler and our second 3-player simultaneous game. Developed by the very people defined the genre with Double Dragon, do not overlook the brillance of this game. While unknown to most, Combatribes pushed the boundaries on character interaction in a fighting game with the ability to attack enemies while on the ground, and use grab moves on multiple characters at once. Plus all your fave weapons and boss fights are there. Presented in a dark cartoon style, there's a off-the-wall craziness to the whole game which you've just gotta love!

Guilty Gear X

Arc System Works 2000

If you haven't ever played Guilty Gear X before then you're in for a treat! Guilty Gear was the game which brought 2D fighting games into hi-definition, with up to 4x the pixel count of other fighters of the time like Street Fighter 3. Even 18 years on, the game still looks impressive with bold colours, inventive characters and amazing 2D animation!

But Guilty Gear X's beauty is not just skin deep. The game offers plenty of depth, and addictive combos, while being more accessible to get into for newcomers than other fighting games. With a 4-button layout (Punch, Kick, Slash and Heavy Slash), each character has a vast array of moves, which can be easiely linked into numerous combos. I literally had my first game of GGX just prior to the machine being wheeled out in the arcade, and I'm hooked!

Surprise Attack

Konami 1990

Konami features for our third game release in a row with this awesome, but much underappreciated platformer, Surprise Attack.

Often dismissed as a Shinobi clone (which you could then argue was a Rolling Thunder clone), Surprise Attack uses a space theme in place of the Spy and Ninja themes utlised by Namco and Sega respectively. If you're at all a fan of these other popular dual-plane platformers, then you own it to yourself to give Surprise Attack a solid play. There's loads of challenge, quick platforming action, and some nice gravity effects which add something new to the genre.

Super Contra

Konami 1988

The hugely popular Contra series arrives at 1UP Arcade with Konami's Super Contra bringing all the gun-slinging two-player action!

Although the Contra series begun in the arcades, the series is probably best known for the many home console ports, many of which were greatly changed from the arcade version, and often developed uniquely for each system (like on the SNES and Megadrive). I only ever remember playing one or two brief games of the orignial Contra in the arcades growing up, so I'm super excited to get into the sequel.

Sunset Riders

Konami 1991

Konami is back with another 4-player arcade smash hit based on their TMNT arcade hardware. After the sucess of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Simpsons arcade games, Sunset Riders mixes up the four player formula by switching from a side-scrolling beat 'em up genre, to a dual-plane run-and-gun game.

With plenty of action, a wild west theme, colourful sprites and loads of humour, Sunset Riders will bring home great memories for those who got to play them gem in the 90's, and should be a welcome new game style for those new to the game. Our cabinet features custom designed cabinet and control panel art, as the orignial control panel was badly damaged, but now looks like new :-)

Road Riot 4WD

Atari 1991

It's dune buggy racing with guns! What's not to like :-D

This beautiful original dedicated Atari Road Riot 4WD arcade cabinet came from a private owner, meaning the cabinet is in pristrine condition. For those who haven't seen or played this classic before, sprite-scaling is used similar to games like Outrun and Space Harrier, to create a thrilling arcade 2.5D racer. The controls of this game are totally unique, with a 'wheel' that more closely represents the controls of a fighter jet, complete with gun trigger buttons. A piece of arcade history which must be played on your next visit.

Pong

Atari 1972

Pong is not only one of the earliest known arcade video games, but also a game which is a household name world-wide. Featuring not much more than two controllable lines (the bats, a square (the ball) and a score for each player, Pong took the world by storm in the 70's and still facinates today as a cornerstone of arcade history - and video games in general!

Our machine is an exceptional replica of the original Pong arcade machine, hand built by a local Brisbane arcade restorer. It's really quite something to see the machine in person, and see how video games have changed in the last 45 years. So grab a friend and enjoy this historic game.

The Last Blade 2

SNK 1998

It's been twenty years since SNK released this masterpiece, and it still holds up amazingly well today as one of the finest 2D fighters ever made - really!! Following on from the release of The Last Blade the previous year, this sequel adds another layer of polish to what was already an incredibly polished game. Everything about this game has been crafted with care, from the music, to graphics, presentation screens and most of all, the gameplay + fighting mechanics.

Don't write this game off as just another 2D fighter and instead, spend a little time with it... you'll be glad you did! :-)

Willow

Capcom 1989

The 80's were packed full of action movies , and a memorable handful of amazing adventure movies, with the movie Willow, falling into the latter category. However as often as companies would try cash in on their movie successes with a video game tie-in, these games were usually rushed, and poorly conceived... but not this time!

Willow is an outstanding game based on a great movie. Capcom have beautifully translated the movies storey and settings into this masterful video, which plays a little like a mash-up of Megaman and Ghouls 'n Ghosts (and that's no bad thing!). This game is a fan favourite for all who got to p[lay it all those years ago, and if you didn't, you simply must join in this all-time great arcade platforming adventure on your next 1UP visit!

Twin Cobra / Kyukyoku Tiger

Toaplan / Romstar / Taito 1987

Twin Cobra is a shooter I have a lot of love and respect for. The love comes from fond memories of playing this compelling helicopter shooter in the arcades growing up - it was a real classic! And the respect comes from how Twin Cobra paved the way for many vertical shooters to come, establishing the SHMUP formula which would go on to define great games like the Raiden series.

It's no surprise then that famed developer, Toaplan, were responsible for the game design and development duties, with Romstar publishing the game in North America, and Taito in Japan, under the name of Kyukyoku Tiger. The gameplay is straight forward, and easy to pickup with three types of upgradable weapons. But it's how all the enemeies and bosses are so perfectly judged in difficulty that gives this game such strong replay value. So come and play SHMUP history right here at 1UP Arcade :-D

RayStorm

Taito 1997 (Sony ZN-1 System)

RayStorm is our second Taito game release in two weeks, and our first 3D shooter to join the arcade! Showing the influnce of home consoles and the trend in the late 90s to change from 2D sprite based games, to 3D games, RayStorm integrates many classic SHMUP game-mechanics, into a new 3D environment.

Most people have only played RayStorm on the Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn ports, and although the arcade machine runs on the Sony PS1 based ZN-1 system, the arcade experience is not to be missed. So come on down and give the mega fun 2-player shooter a spin!

Rastan / Rastan Saga

Taito 1987

Straight out fo the 80s at a time when Arnold Schwarzenegger was topping the box office, and his movies - like Conan the Barbarian - were inspiring waves of pop culture! And so Rastan was born, the unofficial arcade game for the Conan movie :-)

But let's not cast Rastan aside as a cheap movie cash-in, because this game stands along side greats like Ghosts 'n Goblins, as an all-time arcade hit! The game-play features a series of side-scrolling levels, with one outdoor level followed by a castle stage and a boss fight. The game presents a range of enemies, sharp difficulty curve, and one fo the most memorable game soundtracks ever! Keen of arcade fans will be flocking to the arcade to replay this gem, but if you're someone who never got to play Rastan in an arcade growing up, this is a cultural classic you must try!

Eightman / 8-Man

Pallas / SNK 1991 (Neo Geo MVS)

Eightman (or '8-Man' as it's sometimes written) is an early Neo Geo MVS/AES release based on the 1963 Manga character of the same name. While this character was little known outside of Japan, it was this video game release which allow him to reach foreign markets.

Eightman is a one or two player side-scrolling platform shooter in the true spirit of the early Neo Geo MVS titles - that is, very large and bright sprites with clever sprite scaling effects to show off the new hardware! While the actual game might not be the strongest title on the system, there's certainly some fun to be had here sprinting through the levels, blowing things up!

Magician Lord

Alpha Denshi / SNK 1990 (Neo Geo MVS)

Magician Lord was one of the early Neo Geo MVS system releases, and actually a pack-in title for the home AES system (the home console version of the MVS arcade system). While receiving mixed reviews upon release with GameFan, GamePro, Joystick and The Games Machine publications giving near-perfect scores, and IGN and Nintendo Life giving an average rating, there was no mistaking that the graphics, sharply executed game theme, and one of the greatest arcade soundtracks ever still hold up strong today.

If you have never played Magician Lord before, it's a game you must play, or watch being played by an experienced player. I say this because one of the biggest criticisms of the game is it's extreme difficulty. So if you like a challenge, please dive right into this wonderfully moody game which is mega-challenging - but a game which still can be completed on a single credit... so the challenge is realistic.

I have a real soft-spot for this game, with fond memories of playing it as a child, and am overjoyed to have this classic Neo Geo title join 1UP Arcade!

The House of the Dead

Sega 1996 (Sega Model 2)

This week we take you all the way back, back to Sega's first 3D horror shooter game, and back to the days when an arcade cabinet could recommend using a 'Head Shot' to take out the enemies!

Sega's House of the Dead series needs no introduction, and so we're super proud to have this game at 1UP in an original Sega dedicated cabinet. So grab a buddy, grab a gun, and RELOAD to take out the hoards of undead zombies. Ahhh.... good times! :-)

Captain Commando

Capcom 1991 (CPS1 System)

Set in the same crime-ridden city as Final Fight, Metro City in the year 2026 bring forth the futuristing arcade brawling action of Captain Commando! And now you can bash your way though this classic coin-muncher on free-play.

The four selectable chacters in Captain Commando are a mixed bunch, with Captain Commando heading up the 'Commando Team', and going on to star in many other Capcom titles. The other cast members include the mummy-like, Jack the Knife, Ginzu the Ninja, and the more than peculiar Baby Head - a baby genuis who fights in a robot suit of his design!! Crazy maybe, but crazy fun for sure!

R-Type Leo

Irem 1992 (M-92 Board)

One of the most beloved arcade shooter series comes to 1UP arcade this Wednesday! We're super excited to release R-Type Leo, the huge followup to R-Type II, and the last R-Type game to be released in arcade with no home ports produced. The game features a revised play system, interactive level design, massive bosses with incredible graphics by the team at Nanao, who are better known for making the worlds best CRT screens!

The R-Type action is dialed up to eleven in this final installment as this is the first R-Type game to support two players simultaneously. So grab a friend and get SHMUPPIN!

Daytona USA

Sega 1994 (Sega Model 2)

Since we opened the arcade in May 2017, there has been no game requested more than Daytona USA! At the time of it's release Daytona presented a level of graphics not seen before in a racing game, and with the ability to race with up to eight linked machines in an arcade, it proved to be a mega hit at arcades, and cinema lobbies around the world!

Jump in the drivers seat with a friend, and enjoy the rock-solid 60 frames-per-second high-resolution (for the time) graphics which somehow still present well today as the game is dripping with presentational quality. We've kicked 2018 off with a BANG and I can assure you that there's plenty more awesome arcade titles to come!

Mario Kart Arcade GP 2

Namco Bandai Games 2007 (Nintendo Triforce)

Developed by Namco under the watchful eye of Nintendo exclusively for the arcade, we are incredibly exciting to bring this Japanese only arcade game to 1UP!

While the Mario Kart game franchise needs no introduction, this arcade spcific version most certainly does. Our original Japanese Twin racing cabinets feature all those unique gadgets you'd expect from an arcade machine straight out of Japan, included front-facing cameras for player in-game profiles, and a memory card slot for saving and recording game data. But as interesting as these niche features are, you'll be here for hours to to experience the arcade Mario Kart gameplay, with crazy power-ups and limitless two-player fun to be had - on freeplay! :-D

Giga Wing

Takumi Corporation / Capcom 1999 (Capcom CPS2)

Giga Wing is a rare shoot 'em up in that it's a vertical scrolling shooter, displayed on a horizontal screen - similar to Capcoms 1944: The Loop Master, and Treasure's Radient Silvergun.

Our second 'Bullet hell' SHMUP release, Giga Wing was developed by one of the companies formed following Toaplan's bankrupcy. Takumi Corporation, was one of four companies formed in the wake of Toaplan's demise - along with CAVE, 8ing/Razing and Gazelle - and the only company to create sequels to any of Toaplan's games.

With a steampunk setting similar to Progear, Giga Wing has slightly more conventional SHMUP gameplay but presents solid two-player play none the less. It's an essential play for any shoot 'em up fan!

Die Hard Arcade / Dynamite Deka

AM1 / Sega Technical Institute 1996

Originally believed to be a 3D sequel for Streets of Rage, Sega needed to produce a title to help utilise it's over-supply of Sega ST-V arcade boards, and the 'Die Hard' license was still sitting on the shelf. So they set their accomplished AM1 and STI (Sega Technical Institute) dev teams onto the job. The result was one of the most successful 3D side-scrolling beat 'em ups ever produced. This would turn out to be STI's last game before the studio closed up, but the title ended up being Sega's most successful US title to date!

In the game, you take control of John McClane (or Bruno Delinger in the Japanese version, Dynamite Deka), bashing your way through a series of fun-filled levels. Don't take the game too seriously and you'll find an incredibly enjoyable two-player brawler here.

Gekirindan

Taito 1995

We love to dig up hard to find arcade gems, and Gekirindan is one of those rarities not often seen outside of arcades in Japan - that is, until now :-D

Gekirindan, meaning "Reverse Scale Bullet" in Japanese, is a vertical shooter developed by Taito. The game has graphics and a play style not to unlike our other rare Japanese shooter, Shienryu. With Gekirindan you'll find many levels of varied shooting combat, as the game plays along a time-travel theme... meaning you'll be fighting across 3000 years of human history. As you could imagine, this brings a unique mix of using your 3195 era spacecraft, to battle with aircraft of the future and past.

Those with a keen eye may notice a few references to earlier developed Toaplan-Taito games (try dropping a bomb for that classic Truxton reference) ;-)

Scramble

Konami 1981

Scramble comes in currently as our second oldest arcade game - presented in a wonderful original dedicated arcade cabinet dating all the way back to 1981! But the history doesn't stop there. This classic Konami title is credited with being the first side-scrolling arcade shoot 'em up, and would set many styling themes which Konami would later carry over into their super popular Gradius (and Salamander) series! So having this game as a book-end to Konami's Salamander 2 from 1996 makes us very proud!

Game play is simple yet compelling. You pilot your ship through a cross-section landscape, avoiding the scenery while shooting down as many badies as you can. However to keep things interesting, you have to constantly replenish your fuel gauge by taking out fuel tanks scattered throughout the landscape. Classic arcade fun ahoy!

Street Fighter EX2

Arika / Capcom 1998

As we moved well into the 90's it was only natural that the famed Street Fighter games would attempt their transistion into the 3D world. This transision was not always a good one for most games of the time, and although the Street Fighter EX series wasn't perfect, it was actually a fresh and interesting re-take on the well established series.

It was perhaps a smart move to only carry over a few Street Fighter mainstays, and instead bring a hoard of new characters to the EX roster. Fans of the SF series will be able to get into play quickly, although time will be required to adapt to the new play mechanics. But overall, I foudn the EX series a little easier to get into and play when compared to other SF games. Oh, and for an interesting piece of trivia, the soundtrack was actually composed by Takayuki Aihara, a former Namco composer! ;-)

Point Blank 2

Namco 1999

The follow-up to Namco's incredibly successful Point Blank, the sequel offers more of the same gun-crazed mini-games which won the world over back in 1994 :-)

If you haven't played Point Blank 1 or 2 before, then grab a friend and head on down for a buffet of gun-slinging challenges which are bound to keep you entertained for hours. A popular attraction at many an arcade or barcade, 1UP is proud to be the first in Australia to release not one, but two Point Blank games, available on free-play! So put away your dollar coins, and enjoy hours of un-timed play :-D

Point Blank / Gun Bullet

Namco 1994

One of our most requested games EVER, we are super excited to announce that we're bring Namco's massively popular Point Blank (aka, Gun Bullet) series to 1UP Arcade! As one of our most requested games ever, we are incredibly proud to finally offer Point Blank on Free-Play, where you can polish up your gun slinging skills to perfection.

Whether you're an amatuer player or going for the Point Blank World Record, you'll find plenty to enjoy with the six game styles, including; Accuracy, Intelligence, Memory, Simulation, Visual Acurity and Speed.

Mr. Do!

Universal / Taito 1982

One for the Golden Age arcade fans, we are proud to bring your the classic, Mr. Do! The game take inspiration from Namco's game, Dig Dug, while bringing a game play style of it's own.

You play as a circus clown who must dig through each level collecting cherries. Succeed in this task and you advance to the next stage - but it's not that easy ;-) While you try to complete this objective you are pursued by little monsters, known oddly as 'Creeps'. To keep the Creeps at bay, if you tunnel under apples located through the stage, they will drop, crushing any Creeps in their way (while being careful not to get crushed yourself). The result is a game which feels somewhere in between Pac Man, and Dig Dug.. awesome fun!.

In The Hunt

Irem 1993

It's awesome, it's from Irem, and best of all, it's here in Brisbane! :-D

Irem's In The Hunt is a unique side-scrolling shoot 'em up where you pilot a submarine in your quest to save the world. This unique settings brings about one-of-a-kind gameplay, as you battle not only enemies from the left and right, but also those from above and below. The game also uses a 'push-scroll' system, instead of a continuously scrolling screen as seen in most shooters.

Developed by the team who then went on to create GunForce 2, and later the Metal Slug series, you'll notice the team's distinctive post-apocalypse graphical style, with incredibly detailed sprites (some of which would carry over into the the Metal Slug series!).

Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes

Capcom 1998 (CPS2)

We double-down on Capcom with another highly requested game release - Marvel Vs Capcom! Perhaps the pinnacle of Capcom's classic 'VS' series of games, there's more action, easter-eggs, super heroes, comicbook + Street Fighter faves packed in to this game than you would have thought was possible!

The third game in Capcom's Marvel VS series - following from X-Men vs SF and Marvel Super Heroes vs SF - features classic 2-on-2 Tag-Team matches only this time with one of 20 'striker' characters, called in for special attacks. If that's not enough, a further six secret characters can be unlocked by inputting directional movements on the character select screen :-D

Alien vs Predator (3-Player)

Capcom 1994 (CPS2)

This absolutely brilliant arcade game - which was never ported to any other systems - has been a long time coming as we've wanted to only bring you the best AVP arcade experience you deserve. Our AVP cabinet is the 3-Player version of the game with a giant 33" CRT display!

AVP builds on the success of Final Fight, and brings updated gameplay to the Alien and Predator universes. You get to play as one of two marines, or two predators, and fight against hoards of advancing aliens in a wide variety of settings. Take on the alien queen, fight in a Power Loader, shoot enemies with the predator's laser cannon - it's all here to be enjoyed with two of your mates!

Blood Bros.

TAD Corporation / Fabtek 1990

Blood Bros is the awesome 'cowboys and Indians' follow-up to Cabal - the original military themed game which pioneered these games mechanics. 'And just what game mechanics are those' I hear you ask? Let me explain...

Cabal and Blood Bros are fan favourite games which play as a joystick controlled shooting gallery - with platforming elements. Although the original game, Cabal, featured an alternate version with trackball controls, Blood Bros sees you controlling each player using only a joystick and buttons. The clever control system allows you to move your player left & right to avoid danger while still moving your cross-hairs in 8 directions. When you hold the button to shoot, your character remains in place - letting you focus just on aiming. Coupled with the ability to dive out of danger and throw sticks of dynamite, you're left with an enjoyable mix of target shooting, dodging bullets, and destroying all the destructible scenery (yes, almost everything in each level can be destroyed!). Great fun as either a one or two player jaunt.

Space Invaders

Taito / Bally / Midway 1978

Our 100th game release at 1UP Arcade is a game who's name says 'arcade game' more than any other. The creation of Tomohiro Nishikado and built originally on his own custom hardware for Taito, who manufactured and released the game in Japan, with Bally/Midway taking care of the United States release - and that's the 1978 version we have here as it celebrates it's 40th birthday!

We all know how the game plays, but many may not know that the increasing speed of the invading aliens was not the result of programming, but actually due to a limitation of the games hardware. Nishikado found that as the screen was cleared of enemy invaders, the game would 'naturally' speed up, and so this was kept as a gameplay element! Space Invaders helped to define the Golden Age of video games, kick-off the success of arcades in the late 70's, and was the biggest earning entertainment product of it's time - almost equaling the release of the movie, Star Wars!

Progear

CAVE / Capcom 2001 (Capcom CPS2) OUT OF ORDER

After many passionate fan requests, we are proud to release our first 'Bullet Hell' shooter developed by CAVE, and published by Capcom on their awesome CPS2 hardware! Progear was CAVE's only horizontal SHMUP released until Deathsmiles in 2007, and the second of three CAVE shoot 'em ups to be officially released outside of Japan.

You start the game by selecting from one of two aircrafts to pilot, and one of three gunners, with the gunners determining the behaviour of your weapon systems. You'll find a deep and rewarding gameplay system, and of course LOADS AND LOADS of bullets, bringing that joy that only a CAVE bullet hell shooter can deliver!

Truxton / Tatsujin

Toaplan 2003 (Neo Geo MVS)

OK, before we get to the game, let's try clear up the developer confusion. Although you may see Taito on the title screen, the game was developed by Toaplan, famous for great arcade titles like Slap Fight (1984), Wardner (1987), Zero Wing (1989), Snow Bros (1990) and Batsugun (1993). However, the game was published by Taito, Romstar and Midway depending on the region.

Truxton doesn't reinvent any 'wheels', however it does provide solid arcade vertical SHMUP action which Toaplan are so well known for, in a genre they helped to create. It is a benchmark classic shooter which is deserving of a place in any arcade. As a developer, Toaplan housed a passionate team of game developers whom would go on to comprise members of dev studios like Raizing/8ing (Battle Garegga), Gazelle (Air Gallet), Takumi (Giga Wing), and the much loved CAVE (DoDonPatchi). So much legacy :-)

Virtua Fighter 2

Sega AM2 1994 (Model 2 A-CRX)

Let me take you back in time. Virtua Fighter 2 was an arcade game which changed games forever. It was on my first ever trip to Sydney in 1994 that I had the honour of seeing VF2 in the 'flesh' for the first time. There is sat proudly at the front of Timezone in George St, showing off gaming graphics the likes of which had never been seen before. This was a time where arcade graphics were leading consoles and even PCs!!

Words cannot explain the nostalgic feelings I felt when our original Sega dedicated VF2 cabinet arrived at the arcade - looking just as it did almost 25 years ago. It's was a long process of almost two months to bring this piece of history here, but well worth it. This is a game you simply much come and experience, as it defined the 'modern' era of mid-90's arcades.

Mercs

Capcom 1990 (CPS1)

Another solid game from the arcade kings at Capcom. Mercs follows on as a sequel to Capcom's earlier game, Commando. The graphical style, sound and option of up to 3-players were all things we'd became accustomed to during the era of Capcoms CPS1 system games.

Although not doing anything in particular to puch the run-and-run genere forward, There's a story, but we don't care for that with arcade shooters. Instead, we're happy that Mercs provides absolutely solid gameplay and reminds us why arcade games are so much fun. Although ported to many home systems, even the notable Mega Drive version lacks the pure polish of the arcade original.

Spider-Man: The Video Game - Title Screen

Spider-Man: The Video Game (4-Player)

Sega 1991 (Sega System 32) OUT OF ORDER

Spidey and a host of supporting Marvel characters return again, only this time under the steady hand of Sega in a side scrolling 4-player brawler, styled similar to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Play as either Spider-Man, Black Cat, Sub-Mariner or Hawkeye, and battle against The Kingpin, Venom, Doctor Octopus, Electro, Lizard, Scorpion, Sandman, Green Goblin, Hobgoblin, and Doctor Doom to live out all your Spiderman fantasies. Keen Sega fans will also notice familiar tunes from Sega's 1986 arcade game Quartet re-mixed into the games music.

Shienryu

Warashi 1997 (Sega ST-V System)

At 1UP we have a strong following of SHMUP fans and so it's always a pleasure to be able to announce the release of a super rare shooter like Shienryu! Considered by many as the best game released on Sega's Titan (ST-V) system, Shienryu is a vertical scrolling shooter which sits somewhere between Raiden and DoDonPachi in terms of style, appearance and game play.

The weapon system in Shienryu includes three main gun types (Vulcan, Laser and Missiles), each with a different style of bomb being made available to the player. Using the powerful 2D hardware of the Sega ST-V system, which was similar to the Sega Saturn hardware, means there's plenty of bright, well-animated sprites, huge bosses and an impressive number of scaling and transparency effects creating awesome visuals. A must play game for SHMUP fans, and believed to be the only active Shienryu arcade machine in Australia!

The King of Fighters 2003

SNK 2003 (Neo Geo MVS)

Although the KOF series would continue well into the future, this game marked the final ever release on the original Neo Geo hardware!

For this final Neo Geo MVS/AES release, we see the 3-on-3 fighting format return again, with the first-time implementation of a tag-team system. Sparking some controversy among dedicated KOF fans, this tag-team gameplay - seen previously in games like Tekken Tag - let's you swap out your character for another in your team mid fight. Some complaints are that this tag system removes the skill of fighter any character vs ay character, as you can now swap over to a prefer fighter (from the three on your team) to better suit your opponent. Whatever you thoughts on the tag-system, it's a welcome new innovation which sets KOF2003 aparwt from it's predecessors, and creates fast-paced fighting action!

The King of Fighters 2002

Playmore / Eolith 2002 (Neo Geo MVS)

KOF2002 bring about a big change up for the series, doing away with the 4v4 fights the previous three games enjoyed, instead returning to a 3v3 model which serviced the series up until KOF98.

With only one new character being added, KOF2002 still packers a large roster of 42 characters, all new backgrounds, competely redrawn sprites for several returning characters, and a return to earlier 'pure KOF' gameplay, for the classic KOF fans.

The King of Fighters 2001

Eolith 2001 (Neo Geo MVS)

With the Korean-based company Eolith taking over the productions duties of the KOF series, how would a non-SNK made KOF game stack-up!? Fortunately as Eolith was formed from former SNK staff, the game retains the look and feel of the KOF games we love :-)

Keeping the 4-players per team from the previous two games, KOF2001 mixes things up tactically by allowing the play to choose the role of each team member, as either a fighter or Striker. This means you can build your own team with up to 4 fighters (no Striker), or 1 fighter and 3 Strikers! Furthermore, you selection affects the length and usability of your in-game Power Gauge, meaning a team with only 1 fighter will get a longer Power Gauge that fills quicker. This makes for a great mix-up to the gameplay with new strategies and play styles.

The King of Fighters 2000

SNK 2000 (Neo Geo MVS)

KOF2000 Was the 7th installment in the game series, and the last to be produced by SNK, before financial hardships would eventually bring about to companies bankruptcy ;-( Dreamcast and PS2 ports would later be released.

KOF2000 continues on with 99's Striker system, only implements a selection of 12 new 'Striker Only' characters, include several popular cameo characters from games like Metal Slug. For the main player roster, we see 5 new characters added to the impressive KOF line-up!

The King of Fighters '99: Millennium Battle

SNK 1999 (Neo Geo MVS)

KOF99 Was the 6th installment in the game series, and the last to be ported to both Neo Geo's arcade and home platforms. Later, the game would receive a Dreamcast and Windows release under the name of KOF99: Evolution, plus a PlayStation port.

The biggest change in KOF99 was the introduction of 4 member teams, with the introduction of a 'Striker' character. The 4th Striker character can be called upon several times during combat to perform an additional attack, allowing you to briefly outnumber your opponent. Other changes include the removal of the Advanced/Extra play mode selection from KOF98, with a specials meter working in the style of the Advanced Mode from the previous game. Keeping things fresh, another 8 characters were added to the roster.

The King of Fighters '98

SNK 1998 (Neo Geo MVS)

Why is KOF'98 regarded as one of the best games in the series? The 1998 installment represents a high-point in the evolution of the series, with a giant player roster, and very well resolved gameplay. If there was one game which represented the series, it might well be this one.

The King of Fighters series may never have garnered as many fans in the west as Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat, but that doesn't mean this game isn't worthy of your time. Bringing team-matches to the fighting game genre, you select 3 characters and the order which they'll enter the fight to create your own ultimate fighting team. This unique gameplay mechanic means there's heaps of variety and player skills to master for each fight.

The King of Fighters '97

SNK 1997 (Neo Geo MVS)

KOF97 follows on from the 96 release with the introduction of two new gameplay styles; Advanced and Extra. The Advanced mode plays with a power bar similar to the one found in previous games, only this time instead of charging the gauge, it's filled as you land hits on your opponent. The Extra mode reverts to a KOF94 and 95 play style where you have to charge the bar up. In either case, a full power gauge allows you to perform a Super Special Move, or opt to increase your offensive and defensive strength.

"So what are the character changes" I hear you say... I'm glad you asked ;-) The 'Boss Team' was removed, however 10 new characters were added to the mega fighting mix!

The King of Fighters '96

SNK 1996 (Neo Geo MVS)

The third KOF game sees a big change to the character line-up with 13 new characters added, and three being retired (for now). SNK struggled with making the release schedule for KOF96, due to a lot of work being put into redrawing the character sprites, and creating new animations for the special moves. However we are glad they spent the time on this attention to detail.

Gameplay wise, the Dodge technique from the previous two game has been replaced by an 'emergency evasion' or 'attack deflector' technique. The player is also now able to adjust their jump height with small and high jumps, bringing another dimension to gameplay strategies.

The King of Fighters '95

SNK 1995 (Neo Geo MVS)

The second game in the series, KOF '95, saw the forementioned addition of being able to choose any three characters to form your team of fighters - instead of having to choose pre-defined teams. In most areas KOF95, as it's commonly known, improved upon the first game. KOF95 saw the removal of the 'American Sports Team', and the addition of the 'Rival Team', comprised of Iori Yagami, Billy Kane (from Fatal Fury) and Eiji Kisaragi (from Art of Fighting).

For a series with such regular sequals, it is great to see the care given from SNK, with characters gaining new animations each game to keep things fresh, and a full set of new backgrounds being added with each release. In this way, the games always felt fresh, without feeling like a cheap annual cash-in as we'd often seen on console sports titles.

The King of Fighters '94

SNK 1994 (Neo Geo MVS)

The very first game in The King of Fighters series was released on August 25th 1994, and marked the begining of the long running series which saw a game released every year from 1994 until 2010 (with only 2007 not having a new title released). Quite an acheivement!

The KOF series pitched the idea of choosing a team of 3 fighters, instead of the traditional one vs one format of other popular fighting games. You would then choose the order your characters would fight, and as a departure from the 'best of three' fighting game recipe, the match would be won by defeating your opponent's three characters. However it was only the original KOF game which had each team of three fighters fixed - while all later instalments to the series would allow you to choose ANY three characters to for your team.

NBA Jam: Tournament Edition (4-Player)

Midway 1993 (Midway T Unit)

The successor to Midway's Arch Rivals and the brainchild of designer and programmer Mark Turmell, NBA Jam was a massive hit world-wide and went on to be the highest earning arcade game of all time, taking in over one-billions dollars - thanks to it's 4-player, coin munching game-play of course.

We are excited to see this beatifully restored cabinet arrive in 1UP, where you can relive all the fast action and game easter-eggs, without feeding the machine coin after coin.

Gauntlet Legends

Atari Games 1998 OUT OF ORDER

After a long wait for a sequel to the original 1985 Gauntlet, and 1986 Gauntlet II, Atari brought forth Gauntlet Legends, the third game in the arcade series. For the first time the series would feature 3D graphics, however the popular 4-Player dungeon crawling adventure remains. One very unique feature for an arcade game, is a password system, which allows players to continue on their arcade adventure across more than one session.

We are incredibly proud to bring to the arcade the original USA Atari dedicated cabinet for the game, complete with the original 48-Way joysticks for each of the four players. So don't miss out on playing this little piece of arcade history.

Ghouls 'n Ghosts / Daimakaimura

Capcom 1988

One of the greatest arcade sequels of all time, and such a highly regarded game that the arcade boards alone fetch crazy money now, Ghouls 'n Ghosts (and the Japanese version named 'Daimakaimura') is a piece of gaming history.

Incredibly hard and featuring only 5 richly diverse levels, it is the mere polish to the presentation and gameplay which makes this game shine from the thousands of arcade games released. Like Capcom's Strider arcade release, I personally never had the chance to play Ghouls 'n Ghosts in the arcades, so that makes this original arcade release all the more special!

Bomber Man World (4 Player)

Irem / Hudson Soft 1992

Some of the best games, are based on the most simple concepts. You control a Bomber-man in a world made up of only; up, down, left & right actions and movements. You drop a bomb, and it explodes in all four directions. Use your bombs to clear the stage of enemies, and you progress to the next level. Blow-up blocks and destructable items within the level to reveal power-ups. The power-ups allow you to drop more bombs, increase the number of bombs you can drop, and increase your speed etc. Don't stand in the way of your own exploding bombs ;-) Now put all this together with four players, and you have one of the most fun multi-player games ever created!

After seeing the popularity of this 4-player game on our FeatureFour custom rigs, we decided to start work on setting up a 4-player cabinet for this game and now we're excited to present this awesomely fun game to the world :-D

Salamander 2

Konami 1996 (Konami GX System)

The ultimate evolution of Konami's long standing Gradius series... and after ten years the original Salamander from 1986 gets the sequel it deserves! If you don't know Salamander and the Gradius series, well you're in for a treat. The original Gradius game pioneered the 'selection bar' power-up system, whereby you collect power-ups which move the selector on the weapons/upgrades bar, then you press a button when your preferred upgrade is selected. However the Salamander series changed this system for a more converntional icon collection power-up system - similar to that used in games like Raiden.

Power-up systems aside however, you'll notice the solid SHMUP gameplay that made Gradius famous, plus a range of incredibly impressive 2D graphical effects. Also worth noting, is the transistion from side-scrolling to vertical-scrolling levels, and the huge playfield - removing the restricted flight path feeling of most shooters.

Moon Patrol

Irem 1982

This absolute classic 'Golden Age' arcade game from Irem (distributed in the USA by Williams), holds the honour of being the very first arcade game to feature parallax scrolling! But that's not what you came for... you're here to play this awesomely addictive game in a real arcade - as it was intended.

I still remember my first time playing Moon Patrol. It was located in a squash centre, and I would bring along a few 20c coins to play while my older sister was playing in local Squash comps. The game mixes the perfect formula of easy to learn gameplay - jump craters while shooting obstacles in front and aliens above - while easing you into the game progressively in a way that you improve a little each time you play. Loads of fun and massively addictive!

U.N. Squadron / Area 88

Capcom 1989

Another great Capcom release this week see U.N. Squadron joining our rapidly growing arcade! Breaking away from the vertical shooters which Capcom were mostly known for, U.N. Squadron (known as Aera 88 in Japan) is a solid shoot 'em up with some unique qualities.

The game begins with three selectable pilots/planes, each with slightly different attributes like power, speed and weapons. But breaking the trend, U.N. Squadron sees you earning money during each level which can be spent on upgrades, altering the common 'power-up' system strictly used by most shooters. Some solid gameplay and the usual Capcom level of polish makes this another fine game and a essential play for SHMUP fans.

Strider

Capcom 1989

To be honest, I don't where to start... Where do you start describing a game so magnificent as Strider...

The strang thing is, that until our Strider machine arrived in the 1UP workshop, I had NEVER actually seen or played it on an arcade cabinet (the SHAME!). My first contact with Strider was via a somewhat dodgy PC port, but it was the sensational Sega Mega Drive port where I first fell in love with the game. Many years later I would see the full arcade version running on MAME, only to wait decades to experience this game - for real - in an arcade. Well the day came as we fired up the arcade cabinet for testing... I was not dissapointed having waited some 25 years for this game... and I'm sure you won't be either.

FixEight

Toaplan 1992

The much unheard of game, FixEight, is the sequel to Out Zone by Toaplan. And although Out Zone was a great game in it's own right, FixEight manages to improve on the prequel in almost every way, with a refined weapon system, less linear stages, and more awesome bosses!!

Bringing forth more variety to the gameplay and increased replay value, FixEight gives players the choice of 8 characters to choose from, each with their own unique play styles. To further spice up the action, there's two hovercraft stages, which play like a regular shoot 'em up level, just to mix things up. Another proud addition to the arcade floor.

Out Zone

Toaplan 1990

Out Zone is another great Toaplan shooter, although technically it falls within the 'run and gun', or 'push-scroll shooter' genre. Featuring an original weapon system, fast addictive action, impressive graphics and bosses which fill half the screen, there's plenty to like about Out Zone. It's kind of like a mix of Ikari Warriors and Truxton :-D

Although not nearly as widely known as other games in the genre, Out Zone is as deserving of your time now, as it was my 20c coins back in the day! Although challenging, there's a great feel to the gameplay, which seems to combine the best of vertical shooters with some platform elements to keep you on your toes. Of course single player and co-op play is available to share the action with a friend. If you're looking for a game to try which you haven't played before, then give Out Zone a shot.

Karate Champ

Technos / Data East 1984

Developed by Technos for Data East, and known as Karate Dō "The Way of the Empty Hand" in Japan, Karate Champ is a classic and largely recognised arcade game responsible for influencing many one-on-one fighting games to come. Apart from the white and red karate suit wearing main characters which would be seen again in the Street Fighter series, Karate Champ was the first game to establish the one-on-one game genre with large well animated sprites, and a complex roster of moves. The game was a strong influence for upcoming games like Konami's Yie Ar Kung Fu, and Capcom's Street Fighter.

Karate Champ makes use of a very unique Two-Joystick (no buttons) control system. While not everyone's preference, the control system is quite intuitive, yet takes significant time to master - offering a depth of gameplay not often seen in this era. A truly arcade gaming classic which we are so proud to offer in a dedicated original cabinet. An essential play on your next arcade visit.

Street Fighter 2: Champion Edition

Capcom 1992 (CPS1 System) CURRENTLY OFF-FLOOR

With Street Fighter 2 being a bigger success than Capcom could have ever imagined, they now had fans beating at the doors, throwing ideas and feature requests, to make the greatest fighting game even greater - and so in this update, Champion Edition, Capcom answered those fans.

Addressing any character balance issues, game glitches and general game-play refinements that only a global pool of players can, Champion Edition enhances many special moves of the characters, makes the four boss characters playable, and allows for the same character's to fight one another.

Ghosts 'n Goblins

Capcom 1985

I am not alone with the fact that Ghosts 'n Goblins holds a special place in my childhood memories. After Green Beret (Rush 'n Attack), this is the second arcade game I ever played. Although to play it today, the game seems exceedinly difficult and unforgiving, somehow as a child I could get all the way to the last boss on a single credit - a feat I would really struggle with today! Beaten again by my 10yo self :-/

Simple yet clever gameplay, memorable characters, catchy music and rewarding challenge are just some of the ingredients of this Capcom masterpiece.

The Legend of Hero Tonma

Irem 1989 (Irem M72)

Irem as a company are well known for great arcade games like Moon Patrol, Gunforce, R-Type and the first ever beat 'em up, Kun Fu Master. However this talented team of developers also produced some lesser known titles, like this rare gem!

The Legend of Hero Tonma is a great side-scrolling platform action game that really must be played. If you never had the opportunity to play this arcade game before, now is your chance. With cute sprite-work and engaging gameplay, the game's difficulty is steep, but well paced so that you can make a little more progress with each game. I was fortunate enough to see this game in my childhood (at my local take-away no less), but it makes me extremely proud to be able to final share this rare game with Brisbane arcade fans.

Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike

Capcom 1999 (CPS3 System)

Considered by many as the greatest Street Fighter game, and the finest 2D fighter of all time. Whether or not you agree, SF3: 3rd Strike had refined the 2D fighting game formula to near-perfection, and was the perfect break-point for moving onto Street Fighter in 3D (yet, I know there's so many fans who would still love to see a 2D Street Fighter in high definition).

Capcom took their learnings from SF3 and 2nd Impact, and expanded the roster by another 5 characters (Chun-Li, Remy, Q and Twelve), providing the most balanced and deep fighting system the series had seen.

Double Dragon

Technōs Japan 1987

Thanks to the massive success of the original Double Dragon game, Billy and Jimmy Lee have become arcade celebrities! But what was it that made this game such a massive hit? I think you only need to look at the side scrolling beat em ups which came before, and those which came after, to see the great advancement in the genre, and the impressive legacy left.

Considered the game which defined the side-scrolling beat 'em up genre, Double Dragon brought together two-player co-op gameplay, use of weapons and interactive backgrounds, plus a (for the time) complicated 3 button control system which enabled new depth of play. Although the genre has been improved upon since, Double Dragon is still great fun today.

Gunblade NY

Sega 1996 (Sega Model 2)

It's Daytona with guns! Well, perhaps that's a stretch... but if you replace your car with a helicopter, a NASCAR track with New York city and a steering wheel with a fixed machine gun, then you'll catch my drift (...hmmm, maybe I got a little lost back there!?)

Gunblade NY is another Sega arcade classic, bringing smooth 60FPS gameplay via their proven Model 2 hardware (think Virtua Fighter 2, Sega Rally and of course... Daytona). Grab a friend and step on up to this beautiful dedicated Sega cabinet, grip the fixed machine gun's trigger and take in the fly-by shooting action on a georgous 50" rear-projection screen - the way it was meant to be played!

Super Spacefortress Macross

Banpresto / Fabtek 1992

Super Spacefortress Macross is a fantastic SHMUP, based on the Macross saga as popularised in Australia via the Robotech cartoon series.

We're proud to add this great SHMUP to the arcade, which offers solid gameplay and progressive challenge. Look forward to see what scores our best players can put up!

Golden Axe

Sega 1989 (Sega System 16)

There are few games which need less of an introduction than Golden Axe. Or perhaps, for that reason, such a game deserves an extra special introduction!? In any case, if you've ever walked into an arcade you'll know the game, but it's been some twenty-odd years since you've likely had the please to play this glorious game the way it was meant to be enjoyed - at an arcade.

The memorable music score, timeless graphical presentation, and enthrawling gameplay are all back with this Sega classic joining the permanent lineup at 1UP Arcade Morningside.

Vendetta / Crime Fighters 2 (4-Player)

Konami 1991

Built on Konami's now popular 4-player fighting hardware, Vendetta joins the like of Konami's TMNT and The Simpsons multi-player beat-em-ups only this time with a much harder edge. Similar to the release of Mortal Kombat, it's like the game designers were trying to offend when they unleashed Vendetta, as this game hands no punches (that's punny!) with it's gameplay and character depictions.

More importantly, as this game's prequel was a bit of a mess, the Konami team have actually gone on to conjure up a highly enjoyable beat-em-up, which is best enjoyed with a group of friends.

Final Fight

Capcom 1989 (Capcom CPS1)

If there's ever a game which doesn't require an introduction then this might be game. Final Fight single-handedly defined the side-scrolling beat-'em-up genre, and retains such strong playability that it's as fun to play today, as it was 28 years ago (OMG! Was it really that long ago!!).

The sounds, the action, the characters... wow, wow wow! If you have never given Final Fight a good play then I strongly recommend playing this piece of history. Capcom at their finest (ok, they've had a lot of fine moments - but there's real greatness here).

Mortal Kombat

Midway 1992

How could a game series developed by the bankrupted Midway, become one of the highest earning media franchises of all time raking in over $5 billion!! Do we all love fighting games that much, or do we all like the gore even more? Perhaps we like mixing them both :-o

This is the first game to take the one-on-one fighting genre paved by Street Fighter 2, and carve out it's own style. Love it or hate it, MK fans are passionate and so we are incredibly proud to not only have the original Mortal Kombat at our Brisbane arcade, but also it's sequels MK2, and Ultimate MK3. I can smell the fatalities already...

Superman

Taito 1988 (Taito X System)

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's SUPERMAN at your local Arcade once again! I can still remember playing this classic arcade game, based on the most famous comicbook character of all time, when I was 12 years old... and I can't wait to get back into it and reconnect with those youthful memories.

Although not the greatest game ever made (with the Superman character you control feeling a little ridgid at first), once you warm up to the gameplay you'll find an enjoyable action game which offers a variety of gameplay styles. From side-scrolling beat-'em-up, to vertical flying, and onto a side-scrolling shooter stages. Good times!

Sega Rally (Twin Linked)

Sega AM3 1994 (Sega Model 2)

Still a crowd favourite after over 20 years - and for good reason. While Daytona attracts more attention, Sega Rally brings forward a little more depth to the arcade experience with racing over a multitude of surfaces, each bringing its own feel and levels of traction!

Our Twin Sega Rally cabinet is a testiment to Sega's gaming genius at their prime, and how a classic never dies. Pop on down to enjoy this game like you never have before, and challenge a friend or stranger on free-play at 1UP Arcade.

Crisis Zone

Namco 1999 (Namco System 23: Evo 2)

Crisis Zone sits as a spin-off to the incredibly popular Time Crisis series upping the action with unlimited amunition and a kick-back machine gun!

The game simply must be played to understasnd how effective the kick back effect of the machine gun is when getting into the action. Crisis Zone builds on the popular series with it's foot-pedal operated 'Duck for Cover/Reload' gameplay, that seems to work better than the mechanics of most other shooting games. While ported to the PS2, nothing compare to playing this game on the orginal arcade dedicated cabinet.

Gunforce

Irem 1991 CURRENTLY OFF-FLOOR

So this is where it all begun for Metal Slug. Well if you discount the original inspiration provided by the run-and-gun hit Contra, you'll find many strong connections with Gunforce and the later Metal Slug series.

You see the team at Irem who produced Gunforce, set the groundwork and gameplay which would evolve directly into Metal Slug. The sequel, Gunforce 2, bares an uncanny resemblance to Metal Slug, and it is believed that Metal Slug may have been a sequel to Gunforce, had there not had been so much corporate politics involved at the time. In fact, Metal Slug ever reuses some of the same sound effects from Gunforce 2. So come in and see why it all started.

Strikers 1945 Plus

Psikyo 1999 (Neo Geo MVS)

A remake of Strikers 1945 II for a horizontal screen and the Neo Geo MVS platform, all the score and interface elements are moved to the side of the screen while the original gameplay is kept in tact.

As a warm up to the 'Bullet-Hell' shooters which would go on to gather such a strong fan following, Strikers 1945 Plus sits with Gunbird 2, Outzone and Blazing Star as one of our classic shoot-'em-up experiences.

Shadow Warriors / Ninja Gaiden

Tecmo 1987

With Double Dragon defining the side-scrolling beat-'em-up genre just one year before, you need to play Shadow Warriors to see just how much progress had been made with Tecmo's efforts.

While the two-player theme stays the same as in Billy & Jimmy's outing, Shadow Warriors introduces a number of interactive stage elements such as destructible scenery, poles/signs/bars which can be used to swing from, and generally far more fluid game play (TIP: If at first you think button 1 is broken, try standing under a pole or sign!).

Tekken 3

Namco 1996 (Namco System 12)

The first game to be released on Namco's System 12 hardware, Tekken 3 brings forth the first real graphical improvements since the series begun, and big changes to the established character roster.

Although Tekken may never get the same level of acknowledgement as series like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, due to strong sales on the PlayStation, Tekken 3 still sits as the second best selling fighting game of all time, second to only Super Smash Brothers Brawl! Plus it was the fourth best selling PlastStation game of all time.

Galaxy Fight

SNK / Sunsoft 1995 (Neo Geo MVS)

Any game with a character as cool as KAZUMA must be good, right!? Galaxy Fight is another rare arcade game this time for the neo Geo MVS system which we are proud to bring to the arcade for all to experience.

Although this is ANOTHER Neo Geo fighting game, there's a number of unique play mechanices which set it apart from the crowd. So don't be shy in giving it a play on your next visit, you'll be glad you did.

Demon Front

IGS 2007 (PolyGame Master)

Do not dismiss Demon Front as a Metal Slug copy... as to do that would be missing out on a truly rare, but brilliant arcade game. Released on the largely unheard of IGS PGM (PolyGame Master) platform, Demon Front borrows heavily on the Metal Slug theme to make a highly enjoyable run-and-gun shooter.

Not widely known outside of Korea, 1UP Arcade is proud to be the only known arcade in Australia to offer this rare gem to the public, so come on in and experience this lost arcade treasure today.

Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition - Title Screen

Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition Screenshot

Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition (Twin Linked)

Capcom 2010 (Taito Type-X2)

The third official update to the SFIV series, SSFIV:AE build on Super SFIV by adding new characters (Yun & Yang), and makes previously hidden characters Evil Ryu and Oni playable without cheat-codes.

I remember having serious doubts as to how Capcom could convert the Street Fighter formula 3D, but those fears are unfounded as the adaptation to 3D is nothing short of astounding. There's an incredible roster of 44 playable characters, and after getting comfortable with SSFIV's gameplay, you'll actually find the older 2D SF games less fluid, and a little sluggish (although I still LOVE the SF3 series).

Wonderboy in Monsterland

Westone Bit Entertainment 1986 (Sega System 2)

Having this game in our arcade launch line-up is like finding the holy-grail on your first day of adventuring. This Sega classic was developed by the little known 'Westone Bit Entertainment' studio (previously known as 'Escape') who were responsible for the original Wonderboy arcade game, and quite possible the best Sega Master System game ever - Wonderboy III.

Bring the unique mix of an arcade platformer with RPG elements, if you care at all about your arcade history then you simply must play this one!

Art of Fighting

SNK 1992 (Neo Geo MVS)

The second fighting game franchise on the Neo Geo MVS arcade platform (after Fatal Fury) wowed us with incredibly large, smooth scaling character sprites like nothing we'd seen before! Sure the game played a little ho-hum... but wow... look at those sprites!!!

Even today, there's something cool about the impressively large characters in Art of Fighting, and the feeling of being in close to the action. Furthermore, the Art of Fighting series would feed The King of Fighters 'supply chain' of new characters, meaning we'd later get to enjoy most of these fighting characters in a more controlled 'King of Fighters' gameplay environment. Gaming history is made here and that alone makes this game worth a play or two.

Raiden Fighters 2

Seibu Kaihatsu 1997 (Seibu SPI System)

Capitalising on the incredible sucess of the Raiden SHMUP series, Seibu branched out to create the Raiden Fighters series, a new IP which allowed for the traditional formula to be mixed up with selectable player ships, and a crazier array of weapons than ever seen before!

Bridging the gap between the 'traditional' Raiden style vertical shooter (which was inspired by greats like Twin Cobra), and modern 'Bullet Hell' shooters like Batsugun & Armed Police Batrider, Raiden Fighters brings all new graphics and a wider breadth of gameplay than previous Raiden title - a must play for SHMUP fans!

Manx TT Super Bike (Twin)

Sega AM3 / Sega-AM4 1995 (Sega Model 2)

Get your riding gear on for Manx TT is coming to town! Set in the Isle of Man TT, we are incredibly proud to present this twin motorcycle racing game in a full dedicated cabinet.

Continuing on from the massive arcade success of Daytona USA, Sega once more offer crisp Model 2 system graphics at a steady 60FPS for an immersive racing experience. Add in a set of motorbikes which you actually lean into to steer around corners, and you have an experience not to be missed!

The House of the Dead 3

Sega / Wow Entertainment 2002 (Sega Chihiro)

Put the kids to bed because it's 'double-tap' time! This third installment in the popular arcade horror zombie-survival series ups the visual presentation by utilising the Sega Chihiro arcade platform - essentially a souped up Xbox system with extra memory.

Games like this insist on having a storyline, but we know you're not concerned about that. The important info is that there's two pump action shotguns to keep the zombies at bay, and a large rear-projection screen to take in all the action!

X-Men vs. Street Fighter

Capcom 1996 (CPS2 System)

After having great success with their previous Marvel Comics licensed games X-Men: Children of the Atom and Marvel Super Heroes, Capcom went on to create their first 'VS' title and the first in the Marvel vs Capcom series (before the officially titled MVSC game).

With experience under their belt placing Marvel characters into essentially a Street Fighter (Alpha) style game, Capcom combined the two worlds and added new VS gameplay tweaks. This meant that battles are played out over a single tag-team round, with the ability to swap between your two characters at any time. Additional strategy is thrown into the mix with your alternate character recovering energy while not in battle, and a range of combined special moves being on offer. But all that aside, it was (and still is) awesome just to see these great characters present in the same game!

Fatal Fury: King of Fighters

SNK 1991 (Neo Geo MVS)

I have fond memories of playing the first Fatal Fury game at my local bowling alley. This colourful fighter with large, bold graphics was the creative development of Takashi Nishiyama, the creator of the original Street Fighter game, and was released as the very first fighting game on the Neo Geo MVS platform.

Fatal Fury was still exploring the one-on-one fighting game genre and as such, introduced some interesting features like multiple fields of play, and a very unique two human players vs the CPU opponent mode. If you haven't played Fatal Fury like this before, you simply must grab a friend and give it a try!

Samurai Shodown

SNK 1993 (Neo Geo MVS)

Hooray for the sword fighters! Samurai Shodown was the original fighting game to successfully bring armed fighters together in a one-on-one fighting game with smooth and detailed gameplay. Utilising the Neo Geo's powerful 2D hardware, large sprites of a size rarely seen before were on offer and if that weren't enough, they scaled in and out as your fighters moved around the playfield!

If you haven't tried the original Samurai Shodown before, then head on down to 1UP Arcade to get an education in sword fighting games :-D

SNK vs. Capcom: SVC Chaos

SNK/Playmore 2003 (Neo Geo MVS)

What was for years only a fantasy of fighting game fans became a reality when SNK (Playmore at the time) had their chance to pitch their fave characters, against the Capcom universe. Featuring a dozen characters each from both the SNK and Capcom worlds, you get to take control of fighters from game series like; The King of Fighters, Samurai Shodown, Street Fighter, and Darkstalkers.

I still recall the thrill of seeing all the Capcom characters drawn in SNK's art style for the first time. It was like they had been put through the wash and came out ready for placement in a KOF game :-D

Rage of the Dragons

Evoga / BrezzaSoft / Noise Factory 2002 (Neo Geo MVS)

Yet another unique fighting game IP on the Neo Geo platform - you can see why the system built a reputation as a fighting game system! However this is no reason to complain as arcades were treated to around 14 years of glorious new fighting games during the reign of the Neo Geo MVS system.

Rage of the Dragons brings tag-team style fights, with a twist in that the player not currently in place, slowly restores energy. This adds another tactical level to ROTD's gameplay, as you pick your teams from the 14 available characters. While perhaps not as outstanding as well known series like The King of Fighters and The Last Blade, Rage of the Dragons is well worth discovering at 1UP arcade Brisbane.

Street Fighter Alpha/Zero 2

Capcom 1996 (CPS2 System)

So what do you do when you have the worlds greatest gaming franchise and everyone's eyes are on you? The world is a buzz with talk of when we'll see Street Fighter 3, a true sequel to the fighting classic... well Capcom took a side-step of course!

Being a prequel to the 'original' Street Fighter 2, the SF Alpha series (or 'Zero' as known in South America) steps back in time to present a more youthful rendition of our Street Fighter faves, along with plenty of newcomers. For the first time since SF2 the graphics get a complete overhaul, taking on an anime inspired art style, as previously seen in Capcom's Darkstalkers/Vampire Savior series.

Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers

Capcom 1993 (CPS2 System) CURRENTLY OFF-FLOOR

With so many variants released within the 'Street Fighter 2' era, SSF2 remains to this day my favourite incarnation of the classic SF2 series. Although adding only 4 new characters may seem a little light-on by today's standards, SSF2 represented a high-point in the evolution of the all time great gaming series.

Play as a well known 'classic' fighter, or one of the new challengers, and all with an incredible balance to the fighting mechanics - and just before the influx of Super-moves, counters/parries and tag-team options meant you'd need a PHD to ever master a fighting game.

Metal Slug

Nazca Corporation / SNK 1996 (Neo Geo MVS)

When talking about arcade games, if you exclude all the golden era games like Space Invaders and Pacman, there are not many titles which get mentioned more often than Metal Slug. Jam packed with addictive action and charisma, Metal Slug has earned itself a cult-like following, and spawned many sequels - although nothing quite impresses like the original game.

From the creative minds and learnings during the production of Cyber Lip, In the Hunt and Gunforce 1 & 2, the former Irem crew put all their experience together to make a run and gun game we'll revere for all time.

Snow Bros

Toaplan 1990

Toaplan are better known for their horizontal shooters than puzzle games (let's not forget Zero Wing's famous quote: "All your base are belong to us"), but when they put their creative hands to this Bubble Bobble inspired platform puzzle game, they got everything right.

It's easy to see the Bubble Bobble influence here, but rather than being a rip-off or clone, Snow Bros massively succeeds in creating it's own incarnation of the platform puzzle genre with a game which is highly addictive and original. To visit an arcade and not play this game should be a crime!

Garou: Mark of the Wolves

SNK 1999 (Neo Geo MVS)

Walk the road less travelled. If you're a fighting game fan then you've probably played Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, The King of Fighters or even Samurai Shodown, but if you haven't yet discovered Garou: Mark of the Wolves then you're in for a real treat!

As the eighth installment of the Fatal Fury series, and being released late in the Neo Geo' systems life-span, this game is a superb execution of the fighting game genre. The gameplay is strong and balanced, the characters offering a lot of variety, and the graphics some of the best to grace a 2D fighter - just shy of the SFIII series! An essential play!!

Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3

Midway 1995

Considered by many as the high-point of the Mortal Kombat series, Ultimate MK3 takes the third installment of this popular series, and improves upon the gameplay balance and adds several extra characters over the standard MK3.

MK3 received a full graphical make-over from MK1 and MK2, improving the capture technology used on the previous two games to create a more cohesive look. But graphics aside, this has always been my favourite of the MK series and a proud addition to the arcade floor.

Bad Dudes Vs DragonNinja

Data East 1988

What would happen if you combined Shinobi and Double Dragon? I think you'd get a game a lot like Bad Dudes Vs DragonNinja. Working as a side-scrolling like Double Dragon, only you move around on a fixed plane like a platformer game - with several fields of play similar to Shinobi.

Known as both 'Bad Dudes', or just 'DragonNinja', this great game is even more enjoyable in two-player mode. I'm looking forward to seeing this back in an arcade setting and giving it a good play! ;-)

The Last Blade

SNK 1997 (Neo Geo MVS)

Just like people, some games have just 'got it'! They are over-flowing with style, carisma and appeal, which make them likable to everyone - and this is one such game.

Known as 'Bakumatsu Rouman: Gekka no Kenshi' in Japan, SNK knocked it out of the park with The Last Blade series, perfectly capturing the Bakumatsu era in Japan, with lovable characters all being perfectly rendered. But the beauty is far more than skin-deep when you get comfortable with the fluid gameplay mechanics. A fighting game where all the pieces fit together so perfectly - coming soon to your Brisbane arcade...

The Simpsons (4-Player)

Konami 1991

After the massive success of TMNT arcade - one of the best coin gobblers of all time with simultaneous 4-play gaming - Konami backed it up with another great franchised game, this time based on the incredibly popular 'The Simpsons' TV series.

While most fans will usually hold one game or the other as their fave 4-player fighter, The Simpsons arcade did a tremendous job of bringing such unassuming suburban characters to the beat-'em-up genre. Regardless of which game is your pick, we'll have them both set on free-play and ready for you at 1UP Arcade Brisbane!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles arcade - title

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (4-Player)

Konami 1989

Certainly not the first 4-player arcade beat-'em-up, but possibly the one which defined the genre. As a 12yo boy I couldn't help but be caught up in 'Turtle Mania'... after all, at that age I was their target demographic!! But seeing how well they brough these four turtles to life on the arcade screen was simply amazing - and still is to this day. Not even Michael Bay managed to capture the true spirit of the turtles like Konami did way back on 1989.

Both a master-piece of gaming adaptation, and 4-player mayhem - with the number of enemies increasing according to the number of turtle players in the game - Konami's hardware didn't shy away from filling the screen with foot-soldier sprites, and all the ninja turtle mania you could hope for.

Puzzle Bobble / Bust-A-Move

Taito 1994 (Neo Geo MVS)

Bubble Bobble is back - in puzzle form! Play single player or two player competitive in this puzzle game where you aim to accurately shoot your colour spheres into matching coloured sets, thus preventing these nasty sphere from getting the better of your cute little dragon. I'm sure there's a plot in there too - but it's the addictive gameplay that will bring you back.

Although the Neo Geo platform didn't receive a lot of puzzle games, Bubble Bobble (aka, Bust-a-move in North America) has always been a crowd favourite being built upon the much loved Bubble Bobble franchise, while also being very approachable to play for newcommers.

Blazing Star

Aicom / SNK 1998 (Neo Geo MVS)

If you have never played (or seen) Blazing Star, then you're in for a treat! Remember seeing the incredible pre-rendered 3D graphics of Donkey Kong Country, or Killer Instinct for the first time? Well apply that same methodology to a SHMUP (aka, Shoot-'em-Up) and you'll know what to expect.

As the sequel to Pulstar, which was closely based on the classic R-Type series, Blazing Star takes a greater gameplay departure form the R-Type style, and as a result is more of it's own game - and all the better for it! Quite possibly one of the greatest 2D side-scrolling shooters ever, we are very proud to have Blazing Star in the arcade.

Cyber Lip

SNK 1990 (Neo Geo MVS)

Another launch title for the Neo Geo MVS / AES twin platform, Cyber Lip was the opening Run-and-gun offering from SNK for their new system. Taking much inspiration from the success of Contra, Cyber Lip features fast gameplay with the ability to shoot vertically (up and down while jumping), in addition to left and right. This makes for a hectic game at times with enemies closing in from all angles. Another great feature is the option to choose your path through the game.

Game Fact: Some developers from Irem were involved in the creation of Cyber Lip, and these developers later went on to work on the Metal Slug series.

Ninja Combat

ADK / SNK 1990 (Neo Geo MVS)

The Neo Geo launch titles were all about showing off what the new hardware could do, and covering as many game genres as possible for the launch of this new system. So where does this leave Ninja Combat? Well at times all over the place :-/

There are many cool elements to this side-scrolling platform beat/slash/shoot-'em-up, but they don't always come together well. My quest for gaming perfection aside however, there's a load of fun to be had here if you don't take the game too seriously, and I do remember being impressed when I first saw this game in the arcades back in 1991. So job well done ADK & SNK!

Psycho-Nics Oscar

Data East 1987

What would happen if you combined Ghosts 'n Goblins with Graduis? You'd get a game a lot like Oscar! And that's no bad thing, as both the forementioned games are awesome, and for that reason, Oscar is pretty awesome too.

Now while Oscar has been cited as being influeced by the cult favourite Amiga game, Turrican, it was Oscar which actually came out three years before the first Turrican game - making it the inspiration for the tech styles run-and-gun game. With varied levels and loads of action, it's the Gradius style weapon upgrade system that really sets the game apart... and like Gradius, is the most criticised aspect of the game. Don't miss out on this one!

Shinobi

Sega 1987

What boy doesn't want to be a Ninja!? I remember when the silky-smooth moves of Joe Higashi first caught my eye as an 11YO, and I knew this game was for me. Bring back all those childhood Ninja memories with the original Shinobi arcade game.

Pack full of fast-paced, dual-plane platforming excitement, magic, and swift Ninja moves. Inspired from the gameplay style pioneeded by Rolling Thunder a few years prior. Good times!

Street Fighter II: The World Warrior

Capcom 1991

SF2 was so sucessful that it proctically defined the arcade fighting game genre, and is even often referred as 'the original Street Fighter game', dispite being the sequel to the much less popular Street Fighter.

With larger and better animated sprites than most games preceeding it, Capcom's SF2 introduced many fighting game mechanics - like 6-button controls, circular & charge special moves, blocking attacks and of course an intuitive combo system - which would go on to forever change arcade fighting games.

Raiden II

Seibu Kaihatsu 1993

I will never forget the first time I saw the lock-on purple Plasma weapon in the arcades! Raiden 2 expands on the original shooter with enhanced graphics and two new weapons - the Plasma Beam, which can lock onto targets but does damage slowly; and the Cluster Bomb, which does less damage than regular bombs but strikes a larger area. There are eight missions in the game, with bosses (unofficially) called Death Walkers, Ichneumon, Shadow Submarine, Fort Cyclops, Dread Bomber, Manticore, Whisper and Cranassian Headquarters.

The Raiden series is held with a very high regard as one of the best SHMUPS ever made, and certainly a stand-out SHMUP before CAVE and R8zing introduced the 'Bullet-Hell' era of SHMUPS.

Mortal Kombat II

Midway 1993

Mortal Kombat II, consider by some as the best game in the series, improves the gameplay and expanding the mythos of the original Mortal Kombat. The second installment of the MK series introduces more varied Fatality finishing moves plus several iconic characters, such as Kitana, Mileena, Kung Lao, Noob Saibot, and the series' recurring villain, Shao Kahn. A fan favourie everywhere, and we are proud to have our dedicated original MKII cabinet included in our launch line-up of arcade games.

Pinball selection can change from time to time due to machine faults and maintanance. If you are keen to play a specific title, please contact us to confirm availability.

The Machine: Bride of Pin-Bot

Williams 1991

'The Machine: Bride of Pin-Bot' is the second game in the popular Pin-Bot series, and a welcome new addition to our pinball line-up.

Designed by Python Anghelo and John Trudeau, the digitised voice of Bride of Pin-Bot was provided by Chicago-based singer Stephanie Rogers. Bride of Pin-Bot is an absolute classic so be sure to give it a few flips on your next visit!

Secret Service

Data East 1988

Another Data East classic pinball arrives at 1UP, this time with Secret Service.

One interesting piece of trivia is that Data East staff, Richard Ditton, Elaine Hodgson, Lonnie Ropp, and Thiel, we all part of the photoshoot for creation of the Back-glass artwork! They are now immortalised :-)

Flash

Williams 1979

Flash is yet another Williams machine designed by Steve Richie in 1979. Mr Richie was always trying to break new ground, and so Flash was the first pinball to feature dynamic background sounds, and Flash lamps - funny enough!

Be sure to bring a few of your pinball friends down for a piece of flippin history right here!

Firepower

Williams 1980

I remember this beauty at a local truck stop, not far from my house growing up. The sounds, the lights, all bring back so many memories... in fact, this might be the first pinball I ever played!!

Firepower is a classic Steve Richie designed pin, and the first ever to use the 'Lane Change' feature which is standard on almost every pinball these days!

Elvira and the Party Monsters

Williams 1989

Our 27th pinball release, Elvira and the Party Monsters, is a crowd favourite.

Designed by Dennis Nordman and Jim Patlaon, development was delays after Dennis Nordman had a motorbike accident during the machine development! Fortunately Dennis pulled through ok, and with a little help from Steve Richie, the team were able to release this fin-packed pin.

The Simpsons

Data East 1990

Data East are known for many great arcade classics like Bade Dudes vs Dragon Ninja, Oscar and Karate Champ, however back when they were kings of the arcade they also pumped out a tonne of great pinballs - like this one!

Our 25th pinball release is The Simpsons, licensed of course from the most successful cartoon series of all time! The machine even went on to win the award for best pinball game in 1990 by the Amusement and Music Operators Association.

Kiss

Bally 1979

For those who've come to the arcade recently, you'll notice a huge change with loads more space being made for our growing number of Pinballs.

Our 23rd pinball release at 1UP Arcade is the all-time classic, Kiss, from Bally in 1979. From designer Jim Patla and playfield art from Kevin O'Connor, Kiss is a step back to classic era pinball, without all the complexity of the modern pinballs.

Nitro Ground Shaker

Bally 1980

Our second Solid State pin is designed by George Christian. The project started in 1978, a whole 2 years before the game would see production!

With a drag racing theme and a fast-flowing single-level playfield, Ground Shaker (or 'Nitro Ground Shaker' as it's actually titles on the backglass) makes in impact with punchy silid state sounds, and flippin' fast action ;-)

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Williams 1991

As the pinball game for the biggest movie release of the early 90s, this machine needed to impress - and even today it still does!

Williams have done an excellent job of bringing all the speed and excitement of the big screen movie title, to the playfield of a pinball. 'I'll be back' to play this pinball for sure!

Playboy

Bally 1978

Quite possibly the most famous pinbal of all time, PlayBoy, has arrived! Based on the long-running magazine, revel is the 70's art style as Hugh Hefner with 1976 Playmate Patti McGuire and 1977 Playmate Sondra Theodore adorne the main backglass.

While the playfield will not blow you away with ramps and spinning gadgets, PlayBoy instead focuses on classic mid-70's style gameplay with a sweeping lane, 3 pop-bumpers and plenty of targets to rack-up your multiplier score!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT)

Data East 1991

Based on the mega popular 90's cartoon series of the same name, this Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles pinball is a must play on your next visit to 1UP Arcade!

Developed by Data East, makers of many great arcade games, the pinball stays true to the 90's cartoon with plenty of retro comic art, turtle sound samples, spinning pizzas and full TMNT action figures around the playfield! :-D

Doctor Who

Bally 1992

Return to a time when there were only seven Doctors and join them on an adventure against The Master, Davros and the Daleks!

This amazing playfield offers intense action as you collect all seven doctors and unlock new gameplay activities like the Time Expander moving mini-playfield!

Addams Family

Bally 1992

Revisit the most commercially successful pinball machine ever created, with four flippers, a magnetic 'Thing' multiball pickup and computer-controlled mini-flipper that can make a trick shot!

With custom speech voiced by Raúl Juliá and Anjelica Huston, Addams Family combines the best aspects of great pinball and movie tie-ins. It's not to be missed!

Mr & Mrs Pac-Man

Bally 1982

Run Pac-Man through mazes while running from and chasing ghosts! Collect moves and enter the 5x5 Pac-Maze grid, using left flipper to change direction and right flipper to move - complete as many mazes as you can!

Mr & Mrs Pac-Man pinball combines a challenging pinball experience with video game mechanics to deliver a truly unique playfield experience!

Diner

Williams 1990

Run your own succesful 50's era Diner, serve your customers and collect your tips! This charming pinball machine features incredible artwork and theming, plenty of bonuses and all the sights and sounds you could ever want.

Enjoy simple two-flipper action for one to four players serving 5 customers and scoring up to 12 million points - a great place to start for pinball beginners!

Austin Powers

Stern 2001

Yeah, baby, YEAH! Austin Powers features plenty of toys to bring life to your pinball game, with Mini-Me, Fat Bastard, Dr Evil and Austin Powers all in attendance!

Travel through time and recover your MOJO in this psycadellic film tie-in that looks as sounds just like the movie! Oh, behave!

Dirty Harry

Williams 1995

Inspector Harry Callahan is back with his trusty .44 Magnum to deal with barroom brawls, high speed chases and bombs on his path to stop the serial killer Scorpio!

Dirty Harry features triple flippers, two ramps and a top-loading revolver that shoots rapid-fire pinball sonto the playfield! Go ahead. Make your day.

Banzai Run

Williams 1988

Operate six flippers across two continuous playfields in Banzai Run, a motorbike racing themed pinball you have to see to believe!

Challenge a racer and shoot the left ramp to be taken to Banzai Hill, a vertical racetrack playfield where other pinballs only have a scoreboard! Win races to become the champion!

Evel Knievel

Bally 1977

This Solid State version of Evel Knievel celebrates the most daring stunt man ever with all the top-of-the-line features from the 70's that sounds unlike any of our other pinballs.

Don the red, white and blue and hop on your motorbike to enjoy this simple-but-exciting twin-flipper classic pinball!

Sega Master System

After Burner
Sega AM2 1987

Aladdin
Virgin Interactive 1993

Alex Kidd in High-Tech World
Sega 1987

Alex Kidd The Lost Stars
Sega 1987

Alex Kidd in Miracle World
Sega 1986

Alex Kidd in Shinobi World
Sega 1990

Alien 3
Probe 1992

Asterix and the Great Rescue
Sega 1993

Asterix and the Secret Mission
Sega 1993

Bomber Raid
Sanritsu Denki 1988

Bubble Bobble
Taito 1986

California Games I
Epyx 1987

California Games II
Epyx 1990

Chuck Rock
Core Design 1991

Chuck Rock 2: Son of Chuck
Core Design 1993

Cloud Master
Taito 1988

Columns
Sega 1989

Deep Duck Trouble Starring Donald Duck
Sega 1993

Double Dragon
Technos Japan 1987

Dr Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
Sega 1993

Dynamite Headdy
Tectoy 1994

Enduro Racer
Sega AM2 1986

Fantasy Zone
Sega 1986

Fantasy Zone 2
Sega 1987

FIFA International Soccer
Electronic Arts 1993

Galaxy Force
Sega 1988

Gauntlet
Atari Games 1985

Ghouls n Ghosts
Capcom 1988

G-LOC: Air Battle Europe
Sega AM2 1990

Golden Axe
Sega 1989

Golden Axe Warrior
Sega 1991

Golvellius
Compile 1987

Hang-On
Sega 1985

Impossible Mission
Epyx 1984

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Tiertex 1989

Master of Darkness
SIMS Co. 1992

Kenseiden
Sega 1988

Klax
Dave Akers 1990

Kung Fu Kid
Sega 1987

Lemmings
Psygnosis 1991

Lucky Dime Caper Starring Donald Duck, The
Sega 1991

Marble Madness
Atari Games 1984

Michael Jackson's Moonwalker
Emerald Software 1990

Mickey Mouse: Castle of Illusion
Sega 1990

Mickey Mouse: Land of Illusion
Sega 1992

Mickey Mouse: Legend of Illusion
Sega 1994

Micro Machines
Codemasters 1991

New Zealand Story, The
Taito 1988

Ninja Gaiden
SIMS Co. 1992

Ninja, The
Sega 1985

Outrun
Sega AM2 1986

Special Criminal Investigation
Taito 1989

Phantasy Star
Sega 1987

Populous
Electronic Arts 1989

Powerstrike I
Compile 1988

Powerstrike II
Compile 1993

Prince Of Persia
Jordan Mechner 1989

Psycho Fox
Tokai Comms 1989

Quartet
Probe 1986

Rainbow Islands
Taito 1987

Rampage
Midway Games 1986

Rastan
Taito 1987

R-Type
Irem 1987

Sagaia (Darius 2)
Taito 1989

Shinobi
Sega 1987

Slap Shot
Sega 1990

Solomon's Key
Tecmo 1986

Sonic the Hedgehog
Sega 1991

Sonic the Hedgehog 2
Sega 1992

Sonic Chaos
Sega 1993

Sonic Spinball
Sega 1993

Space Harrier
Sega 1985

Speedball 2
Empire Interactive 1990

Spellcaster
Sega 1988

Star Wars
Lucas Arts 1991

Submarine Attack
Sega 1990

Super Off Road
Leland Corporation 1989

Teddy Boy
Sega 1985

Time Soldiers
SNK 1987

Ultima IV
Origin 1985

Wonder Boy
Westone Bit 1986

Wonder Boy 3 Dragon's Trap
Westone Bit 1989

Wonder Boy in Monster Land
Westone Bit 1991

Ys: The Vanished Omens
Nihon Falcom 1988

Zillion
Sega 1987

Zillion 2
Sega 1987

Zool
Gremlin Interactive 1992

Sega Mega Drive (Genesis)

Adventures of Batman and Robin

Air Buster

Aladdin

Alien Soldier

Asterix and the Great Rescue

Asterix and the Power of the Gods

Bio-Hazard Battle

Castlevania New Generation/Bloodlines

Comix Zone

Contra Hard Corps (Probotector)

Desert Strike

Dune II: The Battle for Arrakis

Dynamite Headdy

Earthworm Jim

Earthworm Jim 2

Ecco The Dolphin

Ecco 2: The Tides of Time

Eternal Champions

Flashback

Galaxy Force II

Gunstar Heroes

Jungle Strike

Lemmings

M.U.S.H.A.

Marble Madness

Mega Bomberman

Mega Man: Wily Wars

Mega Turrican

Mickey: Castle of Illusion

Mickey: World of Illusion

Micro Machines

Moonwalker

Panorama Cotton

Phantasy Star 2

Phantasy Star 3

Phantasy Star IV

Prince of Persia

Pulseman

QuackShot: Starring Donald Duck

Ranger X

Revenge of Shinobi

Ristar

Road Rash 2

Rocket Knight Adventures

Rolling Thunder 2

Shadow Dancer

Shining Force 1

Shining Force 2

Shinobi 3

Sonic & Knuckles

Sonic the Hedgehog

Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Sonic 3 & Knuckles

Sparkster

Steel Empire

Streets of Rage

Streets of Rage 2

Streets of Rage 3

Super Fantasy Zone

Story of Thor, The / Beyond Oasis

Thunder Force 2

Thunder Force 3

Thunder Force IV

TMNT: The Hyperstone Heist

Toejam and Earl

Toejam and Earl: Panic of Funkotron

Urban Strike

Vectorman 1

Vectorman 2

Wonder Boy IV in Monster World

Zero Wing

Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)

Adventure Island

Adventure Island 2

Adventure Island 3

Astyanax, The

Batman: The Video Game

Batman Returns

Battletoads

Battletoads & Double Dragon

Bionic Commando

Blades of Steel

Blaster Master

Bomberman

Bomberman 2

Bubble Bobble

Bubble Bobble Part 2

Castlevania

Castlevania II: Simon's Quest

Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse

Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers

Chip and Dale Rescue Rangers 2

Crisis Force

Contra

Contra Force

Crystalis

Darkwing Duck

Defender 2

Donkey Kong

Double Dragon

Double Dragon 2

Double Dragon 3

Dr. Mario

Dragon Warrior I

Dragon Warrior II

Dragon Warrior III

Dragon Warrior IV

DuckTales

DuckTales 2

Elevator Action

Final Fantasy

Gauntlet

Gauntlet 2

Getsu Fuuma Den

Gradius

Gradius 2

Ice Climber

Ikari Warriors

Ikari Warriors 2: Victory Road

Ikari 3: The Rescue

Jackal

Spy Hunter

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Kabuki: Quantum Fighter

Karnov

Kid Icarus

King's Knight

Kirby's Adventure

Legend of Kage, The

Legend of Zelda, The

Life Force / Salamander

Little Samson

Low G Man: The Low Gravity Man

Maniac Mansion

Mega Man

Mega Man 2

Mega Man 3

Mega Man 4

Mega Man 5

Mega Man 6

Metal Gear

Metal Storm

Metroid

Micro Machines

Ninja Gaiden

Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos

Ninja Gaiden III: The Ancient Ship of Doom

Phantom Fighter

P.O.W.: Prisoners of War

Power Blade

Power Blade 2

Power Rangers 2

Prince of Persia

Punch-Out!!

Q*Bert

R.C. Pro-Am

R.C. Pro-Am II

Shadow of the Ninja

Shatterhand

Super Mario Bros.

Super Mario Bros. 2

Super Mario Bros. 3

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

TMNT II: The Arcade Game

TMNT III: The Manhattan Project

Tetris

Tetris 2

Tiny Toon Adventures

Tiny Toon Adventures 2: Trouble in Wackyland

Trojan

Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES)

ActRaiser

ActRaiser 2

Animaniacs

Batman Returns

Batman Forever

Battletoads & Double Dragon

Chrono Trigger

ClayFighter 2: Judgment Clay

Clock Tower

Contra III: The Alien Wars

Darius Twin

Demon's Crest

Donkey Kong Country

Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy's Kong Quest

Donkey Kong Country 3: Dixie Kong's Double Trouble!

Earthbound

F-Zero

Final Fantasy II

Final Fantasy III

Final Fantasy IV

Final Fight 2

Final Fight 3

Gradius III

Gundam Wing: Endless Duel

Hagane: The Final Conflict

Harvest Moon

Illusion of Gaia

International Superstar Soccer

Killer Instinct

Kirby's Dream Course

Kirby's Dream Land 3

Kirby's Super Star

Mega Man Soccer

Mega Man X

Mega Man X2

Mega Man X3

Ninja Gaiden Trilogy

Pinball Fantasies

Pitfall: The Mayan Adventure

Plok

Pocky & Rocky 2

Prince of Persia

Rock n' Roll Racing

Secret of Mana

Shadowrun

Sparkster

Spindizzy Worlds

Super Adventure Island

Super Adventure Island II

Super Bomberman

Super Castlevania

Super Double Dragon

Super Ghouls 'n Ghosts

Super Star Wars

Super Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back

Super Star Wars: Return of the Jedi

Super Mario All-Stars

Super Mario Kart

Super Mario RPG

Super Mario World

Super Metroid

Super Punch Out

Super R-Type

Super Smash TV

TMNT: Turtles in Time

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past

Tiny Toons Adventure: Buster Busts Loose

Uniracers

Wild Guns

WWF Royal Rumble

WWF Raw

WWF WrestleMania: The Arcade Game

WWF Super WrestleMania

Yoshi's Island

Zombies Ate My Neighbors

Nintendo 64 (N64)

1080 Snowboarding

Bangai-O

Banjo Kazooie

Banjo Tooie

BattleTanx

Blast Corps

Body Harvest

Bomberman 64

Castlevania

Castlevania Legacy of Darkness

Conker's Bad Fur Day

Cruis'n Exotica

Cruis'n USA

Cruis'n World

Diddy Kong Racing

Donkey Kong 64

Doom 64

ExciteBike 64

F-Zero X

Golden Eye 007

Harvest Moon 64

Hydro Thunder

International Superstar Soccer 64

Jet Force Gemini

Killer Instinct Gold

Kirby 64

Mario Kart 64

Mario Party 3

Mario Tennis

Mischief Makers

Mortal Kombat 4

Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon

Mortal Kombat Mythologies - Sub-Zero

Nightmare Creatures

Ogre Battle 64 - Person of Lordly Caliber

Paper Mario

Perfect Dark

Pilotwings 64

Pokemon Snap

Pokemon Stadium 1

Pokemon Stadium 2

Quake 64

Quake II

Rampage 2: Universal Tour

Rayman 2: The Great Escape

Resident Evil 2

Ridge Racer 64

Roadsters Trophy

Robotron 64

Rocket Robot on Wheels

Shadow Man

Sim City 2000

Space Station Silicon Valley

Spider-man

Star Fox 64: Lylat Wars

Star Wars: Battle for Naboo

Star Wars: EP 1: Racer

Star Wars: Rogue Squadron

Star Wars: Shadow Empire

StarCraft 64

Super Mario 64

Super Smash Bros

Tetris 64

Tetrisphere

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3

Top Gear Rally 1

Top Gear Rally 2

Turok

Turok 2: Seeds of Evil

Wave Race 64

Wipeout 64

Wrestlemania 2000

WWF Attitude

WWF No Mercy

WWF War Zone

Xena Warrior Princess - The Talisman of Fate

Yoshi's Story

Zelda Majora's Mask

Zelda Ocarina Of Time

Atari 2600

Adventure
Atari 1980

Asteroids
Atari 1979

Atlantis
Imagic 1982

Battlezone
Atari 1980

Berzerk
Atari 1980

Boxing
Activision 1980

Centipede
Atari 1982

Combat
Atari 1977

Commando
Capcom 1985

Cosmic Ark
Imagic 1982

Crossbow
Exidy 1983

Defender
Williams Entertainment Inc. 1981

Defender II
Atari 1981

Demon Attack
Imagic 1982

Dig Dug
Namco 1982

Dodge'em
Atari 1980

Donkey Kong
Nintendo 1982

Double Dragon
Technos Japan 1987

Enduro
Activision 1983

Fast Food
Telesys 1982

Fishing Derby
Activision 1980

Frogger
Parker Bros 1982

Frostbite
Activision 1983

Galaxian
Atari 1983

H.E.R.O.
Activision 1984

Joust
Williams Entertainment Inc. 1983

Jungle Hunt
Taito 1982

Kaboom!
Activision 1981

Kangaroo
SunSoft Inc 1982

Keystone Kapers
Activision 1983

Mario Bros
Nintendo 1983

Millipede
Atari 1987

Missile Command
Atari 1980

Pac-man
Namco 1982

Pitfall
Activision 1982

Pitfall 2
Activision 1984

Phoenix
Taito 1982

Pole Position
Namco 1982

Pooyan
Konami 1982

Q-Bert
Atari 1982

Rampage
Activision 1986

River Raid
Activision 1982

River Raid 2
Activision 1983

Robotron 2048
Williams Entertainment Inc. 1982

Seaquest
Activision 1983

Snoopy and the Red Baron
Atari 1983

Solar Fox
Midway 1981

Space Invaders
Atari 1980

Spider Fighter
Activision 1983

Star Raiders
Atari 1979

Star Wars: Death Star Battle
Parker Bros. 1983

Superman
Taito 1978

Track and Field
Konami 1983

Tron: Deadly Discs
Mattel 1982

Tunnel Runner
CBS Electronics 1983

Vanguard
SNK 1983

Warlords
Atari 1980

Wizard of Wor
Midway 1980

Worm War 1
Sirius Software 1982

Xenophobe
Midway 1987

Yar's Revenge
Atari 1982

...and there's plenty more to come!

We're working hard to bring a new, classic, arcade game to 1UP Arcade every Wednesday. So why not come on down and join us for our exciting weekly game release!