Non Arcade games on an Arcade Cabinet

[gonzalma]

Well I am guessing that this will be more of a subjective question but since many frontends allow the running of several different emulators, what games that are only available on other "systems", work well using an Arcade Cabinet.  Obviously there isn't much reason to run an Arcade port like Street Fighter 2 on an SNES emulator since the original is available via MAME.  But I am looking for some recommendations as to what system (nes, genesis, etc) exclusive games would work well on a control panel (Street Fighter 6 button setup) and are worth playing.

[keilmillerjr]

Super Mario Brothers? Sonic The Hedgehog?

Honestly, there are plenty of arcade games to last me more than a lifetime. I have a hacked wii with emulators that I would probably use for normal emulated console games. I can recline back and play them the way they were meant to be played. That's the point of a mame cabinet, right? Play the arcade games the way they were meant to be played? Being able to have multiple functions is nice, but not required and undesirable to myself.

[Xiaou2]

 I disagree.  There are many great console games, pc games, and others... that can be played and enjoyed on a full cabinet.

 First I recommend, would be:


 Battle Squadron  -  Amiga

 This game could have easily been adapted to the Arcades.  Its very high quality, with excellent sound fx, sound tracks, graphics, & gameplay.

 Next up:

 Thunderforce II  -  X68000  or  Sega Genesis.

     Ok, so the top view sections are a little slow and not quite on the level... but its a nice break up on the action.   The side
view levels are amazing.  Probably the best shooter ever designed.  Fast, Furious, Amazing sounds & compositions, and
well balanced gameplay that is unmatched.

 The Genesis version has a level select, up to level 6.  Also has a harder boss on one stage.
 The X68000 version has better graphics, more graphical layers, more levels, greater difficulty.  Not sure about level skips.

 
 Target Earth II  -  Sega Genesis

 This game is insanely hard.  Intense action.  Definitely could have been an Arcade game.   Not sure its even beatable without  the cheat... but its fun either way.   I think I got to about level 6 ?  before I found out about the cheat, so Its not completely impossible.
Great graphics, amazing story, awesome and realistic gameplay.  Lots of unique surprises, and gameplay twists.  Awesome sound track. Awesome game intro movie.


 Platypus -  PC

 A great 2 player co-op side shooter. Unique with its claymation look.  Great gameplay. Difficult, with lot of challenges & bonuses for even the most skilled players.  Graphics are wonderful, colorful, with multitudes of awesome 3d parallax scrolling.  Great C64 remake tunes for the music score. 

[paigeoliver]

There are tons of console games that play great on arcade cabinets, however there can be some real limitations too.

Systems with shoulder buttons on the gamepad (like the Snes) are going to have a lot of games that are going to be terribly hard to control on a Streetfighter layout because the shoulder buttons are often used in a directional aspect in the game that doesn't intuitively map onto the SF layout.

Some games will have segments that are really hard to do with a joystick instead of a gamepad. (Basically things like the Konami code or gameplay bits that require precise numbers of presses in certain directions).

Your average time per play in a console game tends to be much longer than in an arcade game, which can leave you standing at the cabinet for a really long time.

[shponglefan]

Honestly, there are plenty of arcade games to last me more than a lifetime. I have a hacked wii with emulators that I would probably use for normal emulated console games. I can recline back and play them the way they were meant to be played. That's the point of a mame cabinet, right? Play the arcade games the way they were meant to be played? Being able to have multiple functions is nice, but not required and undesirable to myself.

Why even bother to post if you're not going to offer something useful to the OP?

[shponglefan]

But I am looking for some recommendations as to what system (nes, genesis, etc) exclusive games would work well on a control panel (Street Fighter 6 button setup) and are worth playing.

Generally console games of the standard arcade genres--shmups, beat-em-ups, platformers, fighing games--will probably translate the best.  Personally, as a fan of beat-em-ups, I'd go for the Final Fight sequels (SNES) or the Streets of Rage series (Genesis.

[gonzalma]

Thanks to those who replied so far, esp Xiaou2, I will have to check some of those out.  And yes of course I understand the limitations.  Probably safe to say that N64 games are probably not going to make the list do to the control scheme.  Fighting and some puzzle games are a sure bet and safe to say that there are several console ones that I probably haven't even heard of.  Just looking to see what games others have tried and enjoyed.  I am sure there is some gems out there.

[DaveMMR]

Thunderforce II  -  X68000  or  Sega Genesis.

Why would you even bother with Thunderforce II when Thunderforce III is so much better and without those slow, annoying top down levels? Having played II after experiencing III, I just found it so hard to even bother with it.

And yeah, generally, console games stay on the console for me. People used to ask about certain 2600 titles which have the same "quick spurt" aspects of arcade games (Pitfall was my number one request).  But once you get to the NES era and beyond, most of those games are better enjoyed on a couch (and the arcade ports are usually moot).

Not to say there aren't exceptions. Just doing a quick glance at my library I see a small list of games that would play fairly decent on a cab that aren't watered down ports and have that 'arcade game' play length. But they're so few and far between I felt console emulation on a cab would leave way too many gaps to even make an effort setting it all up.

[Xiaou2]

Why would you even bother with Thunderforce II when Thunderforce III is so much better and without those slow, annoying top down levels? Having played II after experiencing III, I just found it so hard to even bother with it.

 Sorry, but TF3 was a HUGE let down !!!

 1) It was too easy.  I beat it in a day or a week at most.   It took me several years of off and on play to beat TFII, and I
still Love replaying it.   Still finding it challenging...  especially if I have not played it in a while. (rusty)

 2) The Graphics on TFII were more detailed and higher resolution.  In TF3, they tried to pack too much into the game, and had
to compromise on many areas.    The Genesis has a very limited palette, and TF3 attempts at Organtic looks, failed miserably.

 3) The Weapon system in TFII was Superior.  In looks, and gameplay.   TF3 weapons were ridiculous.  The option-globes taking on a greater weapons function, took up half the screen... and it didnt even look good to boot.    In TFII the weapons were far cooler looking, sounding, and functionality was better... and more strategic.   For example, in one spot, if you tried to use the Hunter, it wouldnt
fire fast enough to clear the masses of speeding missiles plunging at you.   It wasnt R-type level of unforgiveness.. as the standard
weapon was good enough for everything... but, choosing certain other weapons gave both advantages, and disadvantages. 

4) The Levels In TFII were better.  More challenging.  Better Looking.  Lots of surprises.  Packed full of action.  In TFIII the levels are boring.  Easy.  Have boring mid bosses.  Look ugly.

5) TFII has Superior Sound Quality.  Better Music Compositions, Better Sound FX. Better quality overall.  Again, TF3 has reduced the
sample quality of its sounds, to free up more memory for other areas of the game.  The compression is wretched, even on tunes that
I Like from that game.

 Even the top view levels on TF2, were decent, if you knew your way around... and knew the Trick about your fire / bombing system.
Unfortunately, many, like myself... never read the Instructions until much too late.   It turns out that on the top view sections, your
craft shoots two kinds of weapons.  Forward firing weapons, and Bombs.  But the Bombs have a very limited range.

 Bombs are of course, the only thing that can destroy the ground based turrets, and the Bases main targets.   This means you have
to quickly zig in and out, trying to precisely bomb, while being fired upon.   Its actually kinda fun...  but it could have been improved with a slightly longer range bomb system, upping the Arial assault and gunnery to match difficulty.

 The only part of the top view sections that make it a bit of a drag, is getting lost.   Of course, thats a bit of realism for you.  If your unaware of your surroundings, its easy to get lost.   More challenge is just more good game time to master and have fun with.

 I always skipped to start at like the 6th level, but one day, I plan on beating the entire game from level 1.  That, then doing the same on the x68000 version.

[DLinkOZ]

I've got an NES powering a restored DK cab.  Works awesome, and the old school NES control pads are super-easy to wire into an arcade control panel.

[Xiaou2]

most of those games are better enjoyed on a couch

 I also dont get this.

Is this because you think games in arcades are meant to be over with quickly?

 Shinobi, a Sega Arcade game from the 80s, has so many levels... I think it would take over an hour to complete it.

 Then you have games like D & D,  Willow,  The Simpsons, Ailens, Ghouls and Ghosts, Heck... even T2 is quite the long game.
Thats not even counting the fact that certain people mastered classics, and played them for hours at a time.   Nor does it count
the fact that many of us played games at the arcade for several hours at a time easily...

 Japanese arcades were often comprised of sit down cabinets..  but most other places around the world had a majority of Stand ups.

 Sitting down -vs- Standing up... has little to do with the game.  Its merely personal preference.

 I will say, that sitting in comfort is great...  but on the other hand, theres a certain experience that a classic stand up cab gives, that nothing else quite compares with.   The monitor is the perfect size, distance, and angle...sunk in to a black walled area, which acts like  'blinders'.  Focusing your attention greater, and keeping out visual distractions.  The sound is also enhanced, by bouncing against the side walls.  Focuses and amplifies the sounds...  as well as helps keep other games sounds from being so intrusive.

 Theres also a certain feel about certain standing games.  It feels like your more alive and in a real sport-like event.  Where as sitting
feels a little too relaxing and or lazy.  Almost like your not serious enough.

[SavannahLion]

Not that I don't agree with you but I think he meant the controls for most games don't map well. You can see this in some games and how 'Z' is used for the N64. Or the dual analog sticks for the PS* series.

Then there are some games just aren't designed to munch away at your quarters. Auto-save features come to mind. Some console games simply don't have a "Game Over" due to too many deaths (LEGO anything), it's just not built in.

For some console games, it takes enormous amounts of patience to even think about completing. This isn't about SKILL, but actually dedicating time to doing nothing. How many RPG's have you played were filled with busy work or time fillers? Parts of the game that contribute virtually nothing to your goal? Can you see popping in a quarter and having to spend twenty minutes sailing around to find one tiny island?

[DeLuSioNal29]

Funny... I just sit on my arcade stool and play.  No need for a couch.  LOL.

RC Pro-Am is my NES suggestion of the day.  Lot's of fun and perfect for an arcade control panel.

D

[Seith]

I've been really interested in the Indie PC Gaming scene for the past few years, and there have been many games that came out on that system that are perfect for arcade gaming.  Here's a few (with screenshots!)

Bear Surfin' Mega Wave (PC, Trackball)



Use the trackball to move your surfing bear around the screen and avoid all kinds of nasties including sharks, blowfish, missiles, and a kraken!

Bonesaw: The Game (PC, 4-button + 8-way)



Play as a hockey player who is on a quest to rescue his team from the evil referee in this side-scrolling adventure.

Clean Asia (PC, 4-button + 8-way)



Insane vertical shooter with vector graphics and an alternate approach to the genre.

Illuminator (PC, 2-button + 8-way)



Take Home Alone for the NES, give Kevin a flashlight, switch the lights off, and replace Harry and Marv with ghouls-n-ghosts.  The result is Illuminator.

Icy Tower (PC, 1-button + 4-way)



Jump up the platforms while the screen scrolls up.  Get height by doing a running start.  Gain points by jumping multiple levels in a single jump.

VVVVVV (PC, 1-button + 2-way)



Oldschool graphics and a gravity-flipping mechanic that is taken to the highest levels of scrutiny.  A challenging game!

More games that are PC-friendly can be found in the sticky in the Software Section.

[DaveMMR]

Why would you even bother with Thunderforce II when Thunderforce III is so much better and without those slow, annoying top down levels? Having played II after experiencing III, I just found it so hard to even bother with it.

 Sorry, but TF3 was a HUGE let down !!!

To each their own. The top-down levels were enough to kill TF2 for me and TF3's simplicity and soundtrack (I didn't notice the compression back in the early 90's) is probably why I enjoyed it. It's not like I beat it in a day anyhow.

I also dont get this.

Is this because you think games in arcades are meant to be over with quickly?

 Shinobi, a Sega Arcade game from the 80s, has so many levels... I think it would take over an hour to complete it.

I'm aware you can play any arcade game for a long period of time, either by skill or feeding quarters to a muncher, but I think you're reading me a bit too literally. Arcade games can be enjoyed in short bursts, if desired. But do you play Zelda or Super Mario Bros. 3 or Final Fantasy 'whatever' or any sort of adventure game or even the more story-driven action games, while standing up for a quick gaming fix? Of course not.

And yes I know you can sit at a stool too. Not the same as a couch or a comfy chair.

The point I was trying to convey is that as home games became more involved (as early as VCS with Adventure, et. al. but more around the NES era), they don't lend themselves well to the 'quick play' designs of your typical cabinet. While there are many exceptions (a few were already listed - and I'll add Cobra Triangle and the 'different-enough' NES version of Gyruss to the list) that would fit well in a cabinet environment, for me, adding console emulation seemed a bit pointless. But maybe for you, the OP or anyone else, maybe there's enough reason to include consoles on a cabinet. Different strokes for different folks. Right?

[epetti]

I started my cabinet with almost equal weighting MAME and console/PC games.  After I configured everything and started playing through I slowly started removing console/PC games as I found they just didn't work with the limited set of controls and quick play time that I wanted for a stand up cabinet.  I'm still tweaking the list, but there definitely are some winners that I think work great on the cabinet.  A few are:

Many TI-99/4A games, if you're familiar with that computer.  Of course, many are varying clones of arcade games, but different enough to add their only level of fun.  Actually, almost every TI-99/4A game works well as an arcade game.

Some old PC/Commodore games:
- Lode Runner
- Boulder Dash and Boulder Dash II
- Some old Apogee games like Commander Keen and Duke Nukem and Wacky Wheels
- Micro Machines (different versions run on PC or consoles)

Some more arcade-like Nintendo and Sega games.  I see Super Mario Bros. falling on both sides of this, but I feel that if you configure the equivalent of Save State on MAME so you can pick up where you left off, then individual levels work well for a quick fix.

[rCadeGaming]

Some of what Xiaou2 is saying is making sense to me... I think I must have finally gone off the deep end...      (although idk about the TF 2 vs. 3 thing)

Here's a list I already had going of console games which play much better on a cab than with a controller.  They're all shmups, fighters, or beat-em-ups.  For the older consoles, no arcade ports are included unless they're superior or significantly different from the arcade version, or not emulated well in MAME.  Starting with the Dreamcast, you'll start seeing a lot of straight ports, just because they're not available in MAME yet.

I left off platformers, because using a stick for them is controversial.  Personally, I would play Mario, Sonic, Castlevania, etc. with a controller because of tradition, but for especially demanding stuff like the Mega Man series, Mega Man X series, Contra series, Hagane, Rocket Knight Adventures, Super Meat Boy, etc., I think a stick gives you a needed edge.

My collection/to buy list is a little overboard, so I'll bold the ones I'd especially recommend.

-Nintendo-
Crisis Force (NTSC-J)
Guardian Legend
Gun-Nac
Recca - Summer Carnival '92 (NTSC-J)

-PC Engine-
Blazing Lazers
Super Star Soldier
Final Soldier (NTSC-J)
Soldier Blade
Air Zonk
-PC Engine CD-
Alzadick
Gate of Thunder
Lords of Thunder
Nexzr Special (NTSC-J)
Rayxanber III
Ginga Fukei Densetsu: Sapphire (NTSC-J)
Seirei Senshi Spriggan (NTSC-J)
Spriggan Mark 2 (NTSC-J)
Terraforming
Air Zonk: Rockabilly Paradise

-Sega Genesis-
Super Fantasy Zone (NTSC-J/PAL)
Gleylancer (NTSC-J)
Ms. Pac-Man (Tengen)
M.U.S.H.A.
Steel Empire
Target Earth
Thunder Force II
Thunder Force III
Lightening Force (Thunder Force IV)
-Sega CD-
Bari-Arm
Robo Aleste
Silpheed
Soulstar
-Sega 32X-
Kolibri
Zaxxon's Motherbase 2000

-Super Nintendo-
Biometal (NTSC-J)
Firepower 2000
Ninja Warriors
R-Type III: The Third Lightning
Space Megaforce (Super Aleste)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time
Wild Guns

-Sega Saturn-
Assault Suits Leynos II (NTSC-J)
Guardian Heroes
Radiant Silvergun (NTSC-J)
Thunder Force V (NTSC-J)

-Playstation-
Gaia Seed (NTSC-J PSX)
Gradius Gaiden (NTSC-J)
Guilty Gear
Harmful Park (NTSC-J)
R-Type Delta
Silhouette Mirage
Zanac X Zanac

-Nintendo 64-
Sin & Punishment (NTSC-J)

-Sega Dreamcast-
Border Down (NTSC-J)
Capcom vs. SNK
Capcom vs. SNK 2 (NTSC-J)
Chaos Field (NTSC-J)
Fast Striker
Ikaruga (NTSC-J)
Last Hope - Pink Bullets
NEO XYX
Psyvariar 2 (NTSC-J)
Radirgy (NTSC-J)
Shikigami no Shiro II (NTSC-J)
Triggerheart Exelica (NTSC-J)
Trizeal (NTSC-J)
Under Defeat (NTSC-J)
Virtua Fighter 3TB
Zero Gunner 2 (NTSC-J)

-Playstation 2-
Do Don Pachi Daioujou (NTSC-J)
Ibara (NTSC-J)
Gradius V
Guilty Gear X Plus
Guilty Gear XX
R-Type Final
Rez
Silpheed: The Lost Planet
Raiden III
Thunder Force VI (NTSC-J)
Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution

-XBox-

-Playstation 3-
BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend
Super Street Fighter IV: Arcade Edition
-PSN-
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus
Pac-Man Championship Edition DX
Space Invaders - Infinity Gene
Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix
Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition

-XBox 360-
Deathsmiles
DoDonPachi Resurrection Deluxe Edition (PAL region-free)
Eschatos (incl. Judgement Silversword + Cardinal Sins) (NTSC-J region-free)
Espgaluda II (NTSC-J region-free)
Mushihime-Sama (NTSC-J region-free)
Mushihime-Sama Futari (NTSC-J region-free)
Raiden IV
-XBLA-
Deathsmiles II
Mega Shooter 11

-Nintendo Wii-
Castle of Shikigami III
Sin & Punishment: Star Successor
-VC-
Gradius Rebirth

[shponglefan]

Couple more for NES:

Abadox (shmup)
TMNT: The Arcade Game (has a couple extra levels compared to the arcade version)

[shponglefan]

I also dont get this.

It seems whenever someone brings up console games on an arcade cabinet, invariably someone will chime in about how they are meant to be played sitting on a couch.  And, truth be told, this is true for probably most console games.

But it's about genres/individual games than platforms, and there are plenty of console games which play fine on a cab.

[mamenewb100]

I think most simple games like Sonic and Mario control a lot better with a joystick than a gamepad. Though I imagine Sanwa sticks would fair better than American because of the shorter stick travel.

Of course games that were designed for triggers or analog sticks won't fair too well on a cab, unless you have specialized controls.

[Xiaou2]

A few more:

 Mini Car Racing - PC   (Egames)

   - This game is ultra fun.   Similar to RC Pro Am, Micro Machines...etc.  But far better graphics, awesome power ups, great gameplay.
   - Up to 4 players can Rock this game at the same time.
 
 * Note, after many hrs of play, on occasion, the games graphics would lock up and not update.  I believe I just Alt-Tabed into windows, then re-entered the game.  I may have had to lose a round in the process.  Its been a while since I played it, so Im a little foggy.  Still,
its well worth the trouble.  It may have just been my pc. Who knows.   Also not sure if it runs on modern windows software / machines.

 California Games - Atari Lynx

  - Surfing
  - BMX

   Both of these are very unique and fun compared to other California Games versions.   They are very much arcade level fun.

[EssexMame]

What about arcade ports to computers/consoles that are more setup for a normal joystick/button setup.

by this I mean

Ikari Warriors / Midnight Resistance - where the non-standard twist-top joystick isn't required in the Commodore Amiga version like it is in the arcade. i.e. we don't need to add a twist-top joystick to enjoy the game.

In a similar way - Ninja Warriors on Commodore Amiga which worked well on 1 screen. The arcade version was 3 monitors (or was it mirrors?) so it long and thin on one 4:3 monitor in our normal arcades.

Sticking with the Amiga, there is always Xenon II. I don't think it appeared in arcades so is an excellent shooter for our cabs!

[Malenko]

Raptor Call of the Shadows, Jamestown, Sine Mora

[Comtek]

I have a wireless joystick added to my cab for when playing geneses and Nintendo games.
works great and makes them easier to play
just plug in the usb, setup up the buttons and your good to go

[KnightofTruth]

Raptor Call of the Shadows, Jamestown, Sine Mora

WOAH! Mind BLOWN!! I never thought about playing Raptor specifically on the Cab I'm building (though it has DosBox supported and running the game already) ...I think it may have to be the 1st game I play on it when it is "finished".  Thanks for reminding me!

[WindDrake]

If you liked Raptor, also check out Apogee's "Stargunner". Amazing game for the time.

[rCadeGaming]

I didn't care for Raptor, bland design and no challenge it all.  It's easy to begin with, then you earn money pretty quickly.  Before long, your weapons are so strong you're practically invincible, and there's not much point in even playing.

[mgb]

For non arcade games that work well with arcade cabinets:

I think a lot of NES games take very well to arcade controls.
I love the game LOLO and its great on arcade controls.

also a classic pc game that works great with arcade controls is Jumpman. I've always been a fan of the commodore64 version. the only down side to this game on arcade controls is to start the game, you have to input number of players and level so a number pad would need to be used.

also if you want some good old school fun (and who doesn't?), Atari 2600 has some great games for arcade controls including River Raid and Demon Attack. And Combat is great on arcade controls. if you have a spinner, you can play Kaboom!

[rCadeGaming]

Classic pc games: NUMBER MUNCHERS!  Probably the best in edutainment, until someone can adapt Oregon Trail as an arcade game.

[mamenewb100]

Atari 2600 has some great games for arcade controls including River Raid.

River Raid is still an excellent game. How you can change the speed of your plane makes it very difficult to master. Battlezone is good stuff too and perfect for arcade controls.

[Unstupid]

Analog joysticks and shoulder buttons keep me from playing a lot of my favorite console games on my arcade cabs...

[Malenko]

I didn't care for Raptor, bland design and no challenge it all.  It's easy to begin with, then you earn money pretty quickly.  Before long, your weapons are so strong you're practically invincible, and there's not much point in even playing.

Bland design? Sorta harsh criticism for a game released in 1994. If the games too easy , why not take advantage of starting on Tango or Outer Regions section first? Or play the windows port where the ship moves slower than the DOS version.  You could also challenge yourself by buying less power ups.

Im thinking you never played the game to the end, money isnt that easy to come by unless you play the same level over and over or the the "abort mission, sell power up" glitch. Most people skip the medium weapons and struggle through with weaker guns to get the best weapons.

[KnightofTruth]

I didn't care for Raptor, bland design and no challenge it all.  It's easy to begin with, then you earn money pretty quickly.  Before long, your weapons are so strong you're practically invincible, and there's not much point in even playing.

Bland design? Sorta harsh criticism for a game released in 1994. If the games too easy , why not take advantage of starting on Tango or Outer Regions section first? Or play the windows port where the ship moves slower than the DOS version.  You could also challenge yourself by buying less power ups.

Im thinking you never played the game to the end, money isnt that easy to come by unless you play the same level over and over or the the "abort mission, sell power up" glitch. Most people skip the medium weapons and struggle through with weaker guns to get the best weapons.

Spoken like a pro! And for those who weren't savvy enough to do the abort & sell (especially on the 3rd wave I believe with the Ground Missiles) you could just press "backspace" which automatically gave you the expensive wave gun.

I remember there was an add-on for the game where if you pressed the 1st and 3rd button in the cockpit prior to starting the wave it'd make a cool "mechanical" noise and then there'd be crazy dinosaurs and monkeys and cows and stuff in the game... pure classic!

PS: After re-reading this post, the 2nd paragraph really makes me sound like a crazy freak haha... but its true, see --> http://www.rinkworks.com/apogee/s/6.3.2.shtml

[rCadeGaming]

I beat the entire thing, without any cheats or glitches, about 2 years ago with a friend who had some nostalgia. 

I don't think a game should get a pass due to its release date.  I still play Ms. Pac-Man because its still fun today, not because it was just good for its time.  In any case, there were already several outstanding shmups released before 1994.