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Do you guys play console games on your cabs?

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javeryh:
If so, what games do you think are fun/playable with arcade controls (assuming 8-way stick and buttons)? I am trying to decide how to set up my next single player cabinet and I have been having a lot of fun recently with Game Boy games on my bartop so I think some of those would translate well. So it has me thinking about what else could be playable in short bursts while standing up.

I don't have any "modern" retro set-ups with a widescreen monitor, bezels, a crapload of emulators, etc. All of my cabs are arcade only. Might be time if for nothing else to have some new games to play...

jeremymtc:
In general I think console games are not a great fit for arcade controls or cabinet play, and the only emulator I install is MAME. That said, I do have a few NES games on my modern-retro machine, which is most often played seated (Punch Out, SMB for my niece, etc.).

Games from the NES/GB seem to map over well though, as would Atari stuff were there not original arcade versions of most of their best games.

Zebidee:

--- Quote from: jeremymtc on August 25, 2025, 04:41:36 pm ---In general I think console games are not a great fit for arcade controls or cabinet play, and the only emulator I install is MAME. That said, I do have a few NES games on my modern-retro machine, which is most often played seated (Punch Out, SMB for my niece, etc.).

Games from the NES/GB seem to map over well though, as would Atari stuff were there not original arcade versions of most of their best games.

--- End quote ---


Punch Out is originally an arcade game too!

Dunno about consoles, but a mate of mine had an Amiga. In the late 80's we were students, often poor and jobless, so played it a lot. In particular I loved playing Paradroid, which translates well to a sturdy arcade joystick (the Amiga ones we had back then were always crap). Anyway, I worked out how to get WinUAE going just to play Paradroid on my arcade, and it was definitely worth the effort.

Controls are obviously a big issue. Older consoles with pad-type controllers work more intuitively with arcade, but later consoles with fancier stuff like hats are more difficult to translate to an 8-way.

Having said all that, there is nothing to stop you using a modern compatible wireless controller with your arcade cab. They are available.

For various reasons I get sore feet from prolonged standing, so have a few stools to use with my upright cabs. Also good for kids that can't reach the controls.

Sometime I'll go through the rest of my Amiga library. There definitely are some more original gems in there.

jeremymtc:

--- Quote from: Zebidee on August 25, 2025, 07:03:00 pm ---Punch Out is originally an arcade game too!

--- End quote ---

Lol, good point! On that one I found the single-screen presentation worked a lot better for me with a horizontal monitor.

RandyT:
My first arcade control panel was on an Atari 2600.  It was janky, and I, like virtually every home player, didn't have access to real controls at that point in time (I was probably one of the first ever to have hacked the joystick and brought out an Asteroids button layout).  Next was a much better standup panel for my ColecoVision, using WICO joysticks and buttons using the same method.  Then I got a gutted Defender cabinet with a good monitor and that panel got re-done for an Amiga arcade machine.

Arcade style games are plentiful, and were the gold standard for many consoles.  Consoles were originally touted as a way to get that experience at home, so even non-arcade IP's were designed to mimic those characteristics.

The point is, MANY console and early computer titles lend themselves well to the arcade experience, so long as you have the controls necessary on your panel to properly control the game.  I.e. if the game needs an analog stick to play well, an 8-way probably won't cut it.  But if the game uses a D-Pad and there are enough buttons for the functions in the game, I've always found it preferable to play those types of games as though they were an actual arcade title.  It can actually elevate the experience, even turning some lackluster titles (looking at you, 2600 Asteroids) into something more enjoyable.

As far as recommendations are concerned, just don't pre-judge.  Try as many as you have access to.  You're likely to be pleasantly surprised at what works.

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