The Best Arcade Games to Play with Friends

3 June 2025

Remember when hanging out with friends meant a trip to the arcade, pockets loaded with quarters, and fierce competition to claim the high score? Those were the days! But guess what? Arcade games haven't gone anywhere—they're still one of the best ways to bond, compete, and laugh your heart out with friends. Whether you're challenging each other for the top score or teaming up to crush in-game enemies, arcade games are the ultimate friendship test.

In this article, we're diving into The Best Arcade Games to Play with Friends. So grab some snacks, channel your inner gamer, and let’s explore a list of games that will guarantee fun and nostalgia-filled hours.

Why Arcade Games Rule for Friend Hangouts

Let’s be real—arcade games are a perfect mix of adrenaline, nostalgia, and good ol' fashioned fun. Unlike modern, story-heavy games that can take weeks to finish, arcade games are fast-paced and designed to be played in short bursts. The best part? You don’t need to be a pro gamer to have a blast.

Playing arcade games with friends levels up the fun because most arcades feature multiplayer modes. Teamwork and competition turn a casual meet-up into something memorable. Plus, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as seeing your friend’s face when you crush their high score.

1. Pac-Man Battle Royale

Why It’s Awesome:

Pac-Man Battle Royale takes the cherished classic Pac-Man and cranks up the intensity by making it multiplayer. Instead of just gobbling up pellets and avoiding ghosts, you’re now battling your friends to see who can outlast everyone else.

The gameplay is as chaotic as it sounds. You can eat power pellets and go after your friends' Pac-Men to eliminate them. It's a loud, fast-paced game, full of laughing and shouting as you try to sabotage each other.

Best For:
Four-player competitive fun. Perfect if you want something easy to pick up but impossible to put down.

2. Street Fighter II

Why It’s Awesome:

Who hasn't had a heated match of Street Fighter II in their life? This game is a cornerstone of the arcade experience and one of the greatest fighting games of all time. Choose your fighter, memorize your combos, and get ready for some intense one-on-one bouts.

What sets Street Fighter II apart is its depth—at first, it seems simple, but the more you play, the more you realize how strategic it can be. Bring a friend who's ready to trash-talk, because this game gets competitive FAST.

Best For:
Head-to-head matchups between frenemies.

3. Mario Kart Arcade GP

Why It’s Awesome:

Racing games are a staple of arcades, and Mario Kart Arcade GP takes everything you love about Mario Kart and brings it to the big screen. You and your buddies can race through crazy courses, launch green shells, and battle for first place like it’s the Super Bowl.

It’s equipped with all the iconic Mario Kart power-ups you know and love, but now you're steering a real-life steering wheel, which adds to the immersion. Think you're good at Mario Kart? Prove it.

Best For:
Groups who love a mix of racing and sabotage.

4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) Arcade Game

Why It’s Awesome:

Cowabunga, dudes! If you grew up watching the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, this arcade classic will hit you right in the nostalgia. You and your friends can team up to play as Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, or Raphael and fight your way through hordes of Foot Clan soldiers and classic TMNT villains.

It’s the ultimate co-op beat-em-up game—simple controls, endless enemies, and the joy of yelling TMNT catchphrases at each other while smashing buttons.

Best For:
Those who love teamwork over competition.

5. Dance Dance Revolution (DDR)

Why It’s Awesome:

Want to flex both your gaming and dance skills? Dance Dance Revolution is as much a workout as it is a game. Trust me, nothing gets people laughing harder than watching their friends fail miserably at hitting the arrows on time.

The game has everything: flashy visuals, great music, and an infinite amount of secondhand embarrassment. It’s also insanely addictive; you’ll find yourself saying “one more round” over and over again.

Best For:
Friends who don’t mind laughing at each other more than with each other.

6. Air Hockey

Why It’s Awesome:

Okay, technically not a video game, but no arcade session is complete without a round (or ten) of air hockey. There's something primal about the fast-paced back-and-forth of slamming a puck into your friend’s goal.

It’s simple, competitive, and downright satisfying—especially when you manage to score a killer shot and see your opponent’s face drop.

Best For:
Friends who thrive on straightforward and high-energy gameplay.

7. The Simpsons Arcade Game

Why It’s Awesome:

This colorful beat-em-up is a masterpiece of pure fun, especially if you're playing with friends who share a love for Springfield’s most dysfunctional family. You and up to three friends can take on the roles of Homer, Marge, Bart, or Lisa as you battle through bizarre levels to save Maggie.

The co-op play is where this game shines. The enemies get tougher, and you’ll need to work together to progress. It’s chaotic, it’s goofy, and it’s endlessly entertaining.

Best For:
Fans of The Simpsons and teamwork-based gameplay.

8. Time Crisis

Why It’s Awesome:

If you're in the mood for a shooter with a side of adrenaline, Time Crisis is the game for you. The arcade version, complete with pedal-controlled cover mechanics and light-gun action, is perfect for competitive friends who love action-packed gameplay.

What makes it even better? Co-op mode lets you and a buddy team up like action-movie stars, taking down wave after wave of enemies.

Best For:
Friends who crave action and teamwork (and who don’t mind pretending to be in a blockbuster movie).

9. Cruis’n USA

Why It’s Awesome:

Before Forza Horizon and Gran Turismo, there was Cruis’n USA, a classic arcade racing game that delivers high-speed thrills without all the technical mumbo jumbo. You and your friends can race through famous U.S. landmarks in ridiculously fast cars.

It’s more about fun than realism, and honestly, that’s exactly what makes it great. Whether you're a racing novice or a seasoned pro, you'll have a blast competing for first place.

Best For:
Casual racing fans who love retro vibes.

10. Golden Axe

Why It’s Awesome:

Remember the good ol’ days of hacking, slashing, and casting spells in pixelated fantasy worlds? Golden Axe is a legendary beat-em-up arcade game that'll have you and your friends teaming up to face dangerous enemies in a medieval setting.

Choose your character—whether it's the barbarian, the dwarf, or the Amazon warrior—and fight your way through levels packed with monsters and magic. Teamwork is essential since you'll often have to cover each other's backs in battle.

Best For:
Retro gamers and fantasy fans.

Final Thoughts

Arcade games aren’t just about gaming—they’re about the moments of joy (and a little bit of friendly rivalry) that you share with your closest buddies. From button-mashing co-op games like TMNT and Golden Axe to competitive challenges like Air Hockey and Street Fighter, there’s an arcade game for every type of friend group.

So the next time you’re planning a hangout, find an arcade (or set up these classics at home) and let the games begin. Because, honestly, few things in life are more satisfying than beating your best friend at Mario Kart or outdancing them in DDR.