The Evolution of Arcade Games

Ever since the early origins of video games, the arcade genre and style has proved to be one of the most popular. Following the technological advancements that occurred throughout the 70s and 80s, arcade games entered a golden era which has since been developed further. Due to that, modern-day gamers have been able to reap the benefits of contemporary video game software regarding audio and video being implemented into the ever-popular genre.

As a result, we’re going to look at the evolution of some of the most popular arcade games, while also focussing on how the genre has expanded.

Pac-Man

After first entering the market back in May 1980, Pac-Man has since become one of the most iconic titles throughout the gaming scene, selling over 100,000 units in its first year. Upon its release in Japan, the game was initially titled ‘Puck Man’, before later changing for the international market. While virtual reality gaming software has only recently come to the forefront of the industry through devices such as the Oculus Rift, Pac-Man VR was released back in 1996. Although the title itself didn’t massively affect the outlook of the sector during that time, it does illustrate how the iconic franchise has constantly attempted to modernise gaming during its development. Despite the continued progression of video game consoles, Pac-Man remained available to play. In August 2015, BANDAI NAMCO developed and released Pac-Man 256, which was compatible with both the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, along with PCs and Macs.

While many of the titles within the genre, including Pac-Man, have expanded from iconic arcade machines onto modern-day platforms, their stylistic influence on wider markets has grown more prominent. Aside from console expansions, the online casino market has also integrated classic arcade features into many of their new releases. Along with games such as Arcade Bomb, the famous melon madness from casino party combines free spins with traditional arcade aesthetics to provide prospective gamers with a retro progressive jackpot title. Moreover, as the platform is compatible with both Android and iOS devices, the arcade genre has undoubtedly become far more accessible than ever before.

Mortal Kombat

Similar to Pac-Man, after finding success in the early years of its release in arcades, Mortal Kombat has gone on to become on the most popular titles across different platforms. After hitting the shelves in April 2019, the franchise’s latest release, Mortal Kombat 11, became the best-selling game of that month across the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, which, in turn, made it the first game in 10 years to top the charts on all three major consoles. Much like Pac-Man, the game has benefited from enhanced graphics, but the main premise of the title remains true to its origins.

The 1992 Mortal Kombat utilised an arcade-style approach which, grew in popularity as a result of its distinct stylised characters, style, and superior graphics. While all of those aspects have developed over the years, the franchise still delivers video games that build on their successful arcade foundations and appear likely to continue doing so in any future releases.

A Bright Future Awaits

While Pac-Man’s legacy will live on forever in the gaming industry, the recent success of Mortal Kombat 11 highlights that there is still a place for arcade games in the ever-evolving sector. Due to the genre combining classic nostalgic features with modern-day audio and visual improvements, upcoming titles could be set to enjoy a bright future.