Let's Debate the Best Arcade Game Ever!

ParrotHead

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Ok. You can only pick one game here. Not a list, no runners up - ONE GAME. In your opinions what is the best single arcade game of all time and why?

tempestmarquee.jpg


I will start it out by voting for Tempest! This game is incredible on all accounts. The cabinet is striking and gorgeous to look at. It is a game that transcends both sexes similar to the way Fogger, Pac Man and Centipede does, but while keeping it's masculine game play. Speaking of game play there is something so viceral about Tempest. I am not sure what it is but something about using the spinner to quickly and precisely move around the "web" to knock down your prey is just so addicting. And what about longevity. This game stands the test of time and is just as groundbreaking to look at and play today as anything currently out there. Vectors are just cool, and this is hands down the greatest Vector game of all time too. You just can't go wrong with Tempest!

It's funny though that I didn't get into Tempest back in the day but it has grown on me to a point that if I were to only be able to have one game till the day I die, it would be Tempest, hands down. It is perfect in every single way!
 
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Super Missile Attack

After 30 years, I can still play this game for hours at a time and get pissed off enough that I am screaming profanities. It is much more challenging than Missile Command and the "enemies" come randomly enough that it does not seem repetitive. It cannot be played forever.

Honorable mention to Foodfight.
 
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Primal Rage.

But, seriously... Donkey Kong.
 
Ok. You can only pick one game here. Not a list, no runners up - ONE GAME. In your opinions what is the best single arcade game of all time and why?

tempestmarquee.jpg


I will start it out by voting for Tempest! This game is incredible on all accounts. The cabinet is striking and gorgeous to look at. It is a game that transcends both sexes similar to the way Fogger, Pac Man and Centipede does, but while keeping it's masculine game play. Speaking of game play there is something so viceral about Tempest. I am not sure what it is but something about using the spinner to quickly and precisely move around the "web" to knock down your prey is just so addicting. And what about longevity. This game stands the test of time and is just as groundbreaking to look at and play today as anything currently out there. Vectors are just cool, and this is hands down the greatest Vector game of all time too. You just can't go wrong with Tempest!

It's funny though that I didn't get into Tempest back in the day but it has grown on me to a point that if I were to only be able to have one game till the day I die, it would be Tempest, hands down. It is perfect in every single way!

You sold me! Tempest.

Seriously, it was my first game that I "had to have" It is my favorite color vector over Major Havoc and Star Wars. Always fun to play, and you will get better the more you play.

I played it then (80's), I play it now.

I have to mention the sound. Best sounding game. No stupid jingles, just pure destruction making the music here.
 
* Unique gameplay.
* Unique control structure.
* Unique cabinet design.
* Awesome boom box style marquee.
* Great soundtrack.
* Themed after and released during the height of skating coolness in the 80s.

Obviously I'm biased, but (surprize!) I truly think that because of these factors, 720 is the best arcade game ever.
01-720-Main.jpg
 
Galaga.

*It has nearly flawless execution
*It has an easy concept for novices, and challenge for experts
*It incorporates "risking your money" strategy on top of clever game strategy with the risking your ship for better firepower option
*It looks great
*Bonus rounds are inspired
*Shooting stats are inspired (multiple achievements to accomplish)
*The concept / subject harken to the most classic set-up in arcades (spaceships firing downward)
*It was then - and still is - everywhere. People who don't know squat about video games know and have all played Galaga at some point
*It appeals to both men and women, children and adults
*It's been everywhere in popular culture, from a Daily Double question on Jeopardy, to WarGames, to the name of a submarine on Lost
*It's been ported to damn near everything
*You're thinking of the music as you're reading this, and you remember every tune perfectly. :D
 
Defender

Maddeningly difficult, then immensely rewarding once you got the hang of it. Very strategically complex, even compared to games which came much later. It was mind boggling for its time. There aren't many games that I never get tired of playing, this is one of them.
 
Games

If I could name the best of the best, I would not have so many.

Replay value would have to go to Robotron
Tempest
Centipede and
Crazy Climber in no specific order for me.
 
Pac-Man.. probably the majority of people who don't deal with arcade games on a daily basis would name it the most well known arcade game thus making it the best.
 
Although Tempest was the FIRST arcade game for me to collect way back in 1989, my vote goes to:

Robotron: 2084

That's TWO votes for Robotron. Robotron takes the lead!...

Honorable mentions:

Radiant Silvergun
Daytona USA
Dragon's Lair (purely for nostalgia)
Sega F355 Challenge Deluxe
 
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