The 10 Best Mini Arcade Games
This wiki has been updated 31 times since it was first published in October of 2017. If you spent any of your childhood days in an amusement arcade, then the mini games on our list can bring back fond memories or help you pass your experience on to the next generation. We've included models that are near replicas of the originals, just smaller, as well as some that are unique takes on classic concepts. Most are portable enough to take on the road or to a friend's house. When users buy our independently chosen editorial choices, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. My Arcade Galaga
2. Brio Pinball
3. Basic Fun Tetris
Editor's Notes
December 16, 2020:
The Toydaloo Coin Pusher was removed due to the fact that the plastic coins are easy to lose, a choking hazard for small children, and are generally a poor substitute for the real thing, since they don't offer the same weight and sound. Westminster Shoot & Score was removed due to quality issues and Buffalo Games Skee-Ball due to availability concerns. Three variations of skee-ball also seemed a bit excessive, since most people probably come to this category looking for video games.
That being said, we did want to include some variety with games that offer a unique tactile experience beyond just pushing buttons and moving a joystick. New to the list, Brio Pinball has a wooden base and no electronic components, so it's a good choice for those looking for something to keep them entertained on an off-the-grid getaway. Vatos Whac-A-Mole and Merchant Ambassador Basketball both re-create arcade staples while helping youngsters develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
When it comes to video games, we wanted to make sure that some of the classics were represented on the list. My Arcade Galaga features a beloved space battle and has an intricately-designed cabinet with details like a faux coin slot. The joystick is removable if you prefer to use a d-pad.
Basic Fun Tetris has an 80s aesthetic, from the artwork to the graphics to the iconic music. However, if you prefer to play silently, it has a convenient mute button. Tiny Arcade Pac-Man is so small you can use it as a keychain if you want to. It also has a colorful cabinet and a light-up header.
March 04, 2019:
There's nothing quite like the lights and sounds of a traditional arcade, and there are plenty of options for simulating all that fun, but without the stressful car ride, expensive concessions, and coin-hungry machines. As far as traditional arcade video games go, the Neo Geo Mini offers just about the best playing experience, and it comes with 40 of the brand's iconic titles built in. It is, however, one of the most expensive on the list. The My Arcade Retro X and Iwawa Kids cost considerably less, thought the Retro X doesn't have the build quality that the Neo Geo and Retro Cabinet do. What many of today's smartphone-enthusiast children don't realize, though, is that non-computerized games can be just as much, if not more fun than those with a screen. While based on the same classic, Basic Fun's and Buffalo Games' Skee-Ball creations are both very different; the former is a small, almost handheld-size device that focuses on speed and fingertip accuracy, while the latter involves the entire arm and shoulder, much like the original, but far less bulky. The Westminster, meanwhile, mimics the old Pop-A-Shot basketball competition with adorable, finger-operated style. QBert, of course, is a well-known gaming icon, as is the good, old Coin Pusher game which can even satisfy the gaming urges of former casino attendees, without the need to wager a dime. Rally and Roar offers up a fantastic way to exercise your competitive spirit at home or at a friend's, and works quite well, far better, in fact, than many electronic kids' toys. And for a unique, as well addictively entertaining experience, check out Klask, which has won multiple awards in Scandinavia, where it originated, and is a fast-paced skill game that nearly anyone can enjoy. We promise that if you outfit your child's play room or your downstairs bar with a handful of these games, the kids in your house (from the young ones, to the adult-sized) will really thank you.
4. Klask - An Epic Magnetic Battle
5. Tiny Arcade Pac-Man
6. Basic Fun Skee-Ball
7. Neo Geo Mini
8. Vatos Whac-A-Mole
9. My Arcade Retro X
10. Merchant Ambassador Basketball
Sheila is a writer and editor living in sunny Southern California. She studied writing and film at State University of New York at Purchase, where she earned her bachelor of arts degree. After graduating, she worked as an assistant video editor at a small film company, then spent a few years doing freelance work, both as a writer and a video editor. During that time, she wrote screenplays and articles, and edited everything from short films to infomercials. An ardent lover of the English language, she can often be found listening to podcasts about etymology and correcting her friends’ grammar.