Top 10 Arcade Games Of The 1980s
With the groundwork set in the previous decade, the 1980s saw vast improvements in technology and gameplay, ushering in the golden age of arcade games. Join as we continue our series on the Top Arcade Games per Decade, with the Top 10 Arcade Games of the 1980’s Subscribe►► Facebook►► Twitter►► Suggestion Tool►► Channel Page►►
For this list, we’re looking at the best arcade games of the decade in terms of popularity, critical acclaim, longevity, and the impact they’ve made on the video gaming medium. We’re focusing on games that saw popularity primarily in the arcades so while there was indeed a port of Super Mario Bros for coin-op use, you won’t find it here.
Special Thanks to our users “OneTwoPunchGames” “buckmeister19” “David Ram” “Orangegator” “aldqbigsquare” “Mar Brody” for suggesting this topic on our Interactive Suggestion Tool at
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I had the top score on QBert at the local arcade! Donkey Kong, QBert, Ms. Pacman, Golden Axe, Marble Madness, Renegade & Elevator Action were a few of my faves.
Instant dislike
Double Dragon is 1st place
not an honorable mention.
Bub and Bob are NOT dragons!!
They're dinosaurs.
Tempest not being on the list is just flat out blasphemy! It's one of the main games in Ready Player 1 for jiminies sake!
Also, I was a teen in these days and lived at arcades. I've never heard of whatever game that was at #9. Maybe that was just a regional favorite?
Ghosts-n-Goblins is missing from the #1 spot on this list. Golden Axe doesn't even get a mention? I have no faith in WatchMojo anymore.
centipede/millipede is absolutely a top 10. tempest, pole position and star wars@least honorable mention pp over bb. meh
final fight anyone? ?? without that there's no street fighter 2
Mary-oh? Dude, it's pronounced "Mah-rio".
Gauntlet did not influence RPGs of today. Gauntlet was INFLUENCED by D&D and T&T.
Stop hiring Aussies to mispronounce names, and stop getting the history wrong, and then MAYBE I'll subscribe. As it is now, I only clicked on this to see if you got something right for once. And sure enough, you didn't.
I hate when people say Mario like that its so cringe worthy
Was really hoping to see Defender, Robotron: 2084 and Final Fight (which was released right at the very end of the decade, December 1989) appear here somewhere.
What about Gradius (Nemesis)???
Mario Bros. wasn't the arcade game that gave Mario his name. He was given his name in Donkey Kong Junior.
Are you shitting me??? Ms Pacman???
“Bezerk“……..intruder alert ,intruder alert
JOUST !!!
You put a game TWICE
no stargate or defender?…………….this list sucks
Well here are my favs in no order…..TMNT, Double Dragon, Golden Axe, POW, Pacman, Space Invaders, Ghosts n Goblins, Street Smart, Moonwalker, Donkey Kong
Donkey kong/centipede/asteroids/PAC man are my favorites
Glad you mentioned Galaga. I love that game (and modern day Galaga Wars is worthy!). Would have like to have seen Tempest covered. Tempest was great as well!
Shut up Canada, nobody played Bubble Bobble. Punch Out, Wizard of Wor, Berzerk, Burgertime, Gorf, Popeye, etc. were way better than than that gay shit. Btw, it's Mar-Ä“oh not Mare-Ä“oh
No Contra? :O
No Shinobi or Street Fighter? o.O
don't know how to say Mario? :v
Time Soldiers, Heavy Barrel, The Ninja Warriors, Rolling Thunder, The Legend Of Kage (pronounced "kah – gay" if you ever wondered), Dragon Spirit, Ninja Spirit (amazing music and overall epic game!), Lifeforce (DESTROY VIOLENT ANTI-BIOTICS!), Bad Dudes, Paperboy, Golden Axe (legend!), Wrestle War, and the greatest of all time, the unparalleled masterpiece that is –
SHINOBI
Arcade 1990
My Top 10 would be 10 – Slap Fight, 9 – Chase HQ, 8 – Atari Star Wars – 7 – R Type – 6 – Skramble – 5 – Operation Wolf – 4 – Super Hang On – 3- Outrun – 2 – Shinobi – 1 Defender.
I use my arcade controller for these games in my emulator
Excuse me but where is Robotron 2084 and Stargate
How can he mispronounce Mario's name? He even says it in the intro to Super Mario 64
wow! brings back memories.
Moon Patrol was a favorite of mine.
I know what I'm doing this weekend, Thank goodness for Barcade.
you know bros. is brothers right ?
NO SPACE HARRIER? WHY? WHY ISN'T SPACE HARRIER ON HERE?
Horrible list…
What about altered beast and golden axe arcade.