While many of Arcade1Up’s recent releases fall into the $500-$600 price range for their Deluxe Cabinets, the brand has gone back to basics with its Classic Special Edition series. Each Classic SE machine is a steal at $334 and comes packed with 13 preloaded arcade games. You can currently choose from three fantastic models: Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, and Mortal Kombat II. All three boast online leaderboards, and the Mortal Kombat cabinet even offers an exciting online multiplayer mode. You’ll find the same high-quality arcade sticks, buttons, and dual speakers that you’d expect from Arcade1Up’s more expensive options. Initially, these cabinets were exclusive to Walmart, but now you can snag them on Amazon as well.
These Classic Special Edition machines are more affordable for a few key reasons. While Deluxe cabinets stand over 5 feet tall, perfect for adults, the Special Editions are just under 4 feet. But don’t worry! A universal Arcade1Up Riser is available for $59, boosting the height to a comfortable 5 feet. If you opt out of the riser, you might want to consider an adjustable barstool, though the original height is often ideal for younger players. These cabinets feature 15.6-inch displays and standard marquees, in contrast to the Deluxe Editions’ larger 17-inch screens and illuminated marquees. Instead of a decorative coin door, you’ll find a clean front panel adorned with game logos.
Here’s a closer look at all three Arcade1Up Classic Special Edition machines:
Arcade1Up Classic SE: Mortal Kombat II Arcade Machine
$334
Brace yourself for classic arcade fighting! This cabinet is a dream come true for fans of Mortal Kombat’s golden age, featuring 13 preloaded games. Relive the glory days and perfect those fatalities in titles like the original Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat 2, Mortal Kombat 3, and Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3. The cabinet itself sports a vibrant Mortal Kombat 2 theme, complete with iconic franchise symbols. It’s a two-player setup, ready for head-to-head competition with its dual joysticks and arcade button layout.
Included games:
- Mortal Kombat
- Mortal Kombat 2
- Mortal Kombat 3
- Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3
- Rampage
- Joust
- Wizard of Wor
- Gauntlet
- Rootbeer Tapper
- Defender
- Bubbles
- Paperboy
- Klax
Arcade1Up Classic SE: Ms. Pac-Man Arcade Machine
$334
The Ms. Pac-Man arcade cabinet includes a fantastic selection of 13 games, with five dedicated to the beloved Pac-theme. You can also enjoy classics like Dig-Dug, Mappy, and Galaga. This cabinet boasts an eye-catching design, with its bright blue finish and authentic decals that make it feel like it was pulled straight from an 80s arcade.
Included games:
- Ms. Pac-Man
- Pac & Pal
- Pac-Mania
- Pac-Man Plus
- Super Pac-Man
- Dig Dug
- Dig Dug 2
- Galaga
- Galaxian
- Galaga ’88
- Mappy
- Rompers
- The Tower of Druaga
Arcade1Up Classic SE: Pac-Man Arcade Machine
$330
Sporting a design similar to the Ms. Pac-Man version, the Pac-Man arcade cabinet also offers 13 preloaded games. The primary difference in the lineup is the inclusion of King & Balloon instead of Tower of Druaga. This cabinet features a vibrant yellow finish and charming retro Pac-Man imagery.
Included games:
- Dig Dug
- Dig Dug 2
- Galaga
- Galaxian
- Galaga ’88
- King & Balloon
- Mappy
- Pac-Man
- Pac-Man Plus
- Pac-Mania
- Pac & Pal
- Super Pac-Man
- Rompers
Arcade1Up Riser
$59
The official Arcade1Up Riser adds an extra 14.25 inches to your Special Edition cabinet. It also contributes to the overall stability of the unit. While the Special Editions weigh 36-38 pounds out of the box, the Riser adds another 17 pounds. Even with the Riser attached, these cabinets remain 10-15 pounds lighter than their Deluxe counterparts, yet they still feel incredibly solid and secure.
Arcade1Up Countercades
- Ms. Pac-Man / Galaga Countercade (3 Games) — $166.51
- Pac-Man Countercade (3 Games) — $150
While the Classic Special Editions offer the most affordable standing cabinets from Arcade1Up, they aren’t the absolute cheapest machines overall. Amazon currently stocks a selection of Arcade1Up countertop arcade machines. The Class of ’81 Countercade, for instance, is themed around Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga. It boasts a 7-inch, vertically oriented LCD screen, full-size controls, and can be powered by Micro-USB or four AA batteries (not included). Beyond Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga, this countercade also includes Dig Dug.
The Pac-Man Countercade is even more budget-friendly at just $150. It shares the same technical specifications as the Class of ’81 and comes preloaded with three fantastic games: Pac-Man, Super Pac-Man, and Pac-Mania.
Arcade1Up Deluxe Edition Cabinets
If you’re looking to explore Arcade1Up’s premium Deluxe Arcade Machines, Amazon has a selection of 10 models in stock. This includes Deluxe versions of Pac-Man, Mortal Kombat II, and the Class of ’81 cabinet, which offers even more games than its countercade counterpart. For golf enthusiasts, Golden Tee 3D features six variations of the classic golf game, plus Shuffleshot and World Class Bowling. Sports fans can also grab NBA Jam, complete with the original, Tournament Edition, and NBA Hangtime.
- Class of ’81: Ms. Pac-Man & Galaga (12 Games) — $499
- Pac-Man (14 Games) — $500
- Golden Tee 3D (8 Games) — $500
- Mortal Kombat II (14 Games) — $500
- NBA Jam (3 Games) — $500
- Galaga (14 Games) — $514
- Big Buck Hunter Pro (4 Games, 2 Light Guns) — $599
- The Fast & the Furious (2 Games, Racing Wheel & Pedals) — $600
- Terminator 2 (2 Light Guns) — $600
- Wheel of Fortune Casinocade (4 Games) — $500
If you’re interested in alternative countertop arcade experiences, consider the Evercade Alpha Taito Bartop Arcade. Releasing November 12, this miniature cabinet comes with 10 preloaded games and supports hundreds more via Evercade cartridge collections. This is the latest Evercade Alpha, following the highly sought-after Mega Man and Street Fighter editions, which have been consistently sold out in the US this year. For more details on the hardware, you can check out reviews for the Evercade Alpha. We’ve also compiled an Amazon hub featuring in-stock Evercade game collections. The Evercade Alpha Taito Bartop Arcade is currently available for preorder at Amazon for $260. Additionally, all cartridge collections are compatible with the Evercade EXP-R handheld and Evercade VS-R home console, both recently restocked on Amazon for $130 each.
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