The Best PS5 Arcade Games In 2023

Ah, the humble arcade. Is there anything that better encapsulates the history of video games as a medium than an arcade cabinet?

From Pac-Man to Space Invaders, there have been so many classic arcade games over the years that it’s almost impossible to keep track of them all.

Happily, the current gaming generation is continuing the spirit of the arcade, with indie developers and triple-A studios alike releasing fast-paced games with strong core loops that feel spiritually akin to slotting coins into a machine for some high-octane thrills.

Here, then, in that spirit, are the best PS5 arcade games you can play in 2023. We’re defining this as “games that feel arcade-like in their execution” rather than explicit arcade ports or remakes, by the way. Enjoy!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge

Heavily inspired by classic Turtles arcade games like Turtles In Time, Shredder’s Revenge is a callback to the glory days of the side-scrolling beat-’em-up, and it has exactly the kind of crunchy combat you’d want from the genre.

You can play as any one of the four turtles, and there are a few extra characters if you want to shake things up as well. Whoever you play as, you’ll rampage through several Turtles-themed stages, battling enemies and enjoying a rather Saturday morning cartoon-style story as you go.

Returnal

Admittedly, Returnal has far too flashy graphics to be considered a genuine arcade-style game, but it’s in the core feel that Housemarque and Sony’s game resembles an arcade experience.

You see, Returnal revolves around ultra-frenetic third-person shooting, and your enemies are flailing aliens with glowing blue weak spots that feel very similar to foes from an arcade-style lightgun shooter. Throw in some roguelite elements that feel very much like paying quarters for “just one more try”, and Returnal is pretty close to arcade perfection.

Street Fighter 6

It doesn’t get much more arcadey than Street Fighter, right? The latest instalment in the long-running fighting game series is perhaps one of the most gratifying arcade experiences you can have on your PS5 right now.

Classic fan favourite fighters like Ryu, Ken, and Chun-Li are represented here, alongside a raft of newcomers that feel like they slot right into the core cast with ease. Combine that with a fighting system that’s both deceptively deep and welcoming for new players, and you’ve got the ultimate arcade fighter on your PS5.

Capcom Arcade Stadium

Although we said that we were aiming more to represent the spirit of the arcade than explicitly to include arcade games here, Capcom Arcade Stadium is a great little package, so it gets itself a slot.

Capcom Arcade Stadium is essentially a modular platform to which you can add whichever Capcom arcade games you like; a bundle is available that packs a ton of them in, but you can buy them individually if you like. Games up for grabs include classics like Final Fight, Bionic Commando, and the immortal Ghouls ‘n Ghosts.

Arcade Paradise

In Arcade Paradise, your goal is to manage your family’s laundromat, but that’s not really what the game’s about; instead, it’s about rebelling against your family and building the world’s greatest arcade.

Part simulation, part arcade game in and of itself, you’ll be both running your arcade and playing the games on offer. There are more than 35 games to unlock, each of which is fully playable, and when you get tired of the more simplistic arcade action, you can return to managing your arcade as Arcade Paradise switches neatly to a simulation.

Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2

If you want to recreate the feeling of going along to the arcades and playing some of the best extreme sports titles ever made, then picking up Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 is an excellent idea.

This package bundles overhauls of the first two Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater games into one convenient collection, complete with visual reworks and performance tweaks. At their core, though, these are the same endlessly replayable skating games you loved as a kid (or, perhaps, are experiencing for the first time, which we’re very jealous of you for).

Horizon Chase Turbo

Technically speaking, Horizon Chase Turbo is a PS4 game, but it’ll play perfectly well on your PS5 thanks to the miracle of backwards compatibility, so you can enjoy this fast-paced racer on your current-gen machine.

If you ever spent any time in an arcade as a kid, then Horizon Chase Turbo will probably bring back happy memories of what it was like to play games like OutRun or Sega Rally. It won’t give Gran Turismo or Forza Motorsport any trouble in terms of realism, but that’s not what it’s aiming for; this is a snacky, enjoyable little arcade racer that feels great to play.

Streets of Rage 4

Again, Streets of Rage 4 is actually a PS4 game, but your PS5 will play it, and it’s a beautiful throwback to the halcyon days of arcade brawlers in a similar vein to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge.

Make no mistake: Streets of Rage 4 is hard. It’s pulverisingly, controller-snappingly hard at times, and that might turn you off if you’re looking for an easier time than old-school arcade games gave you. If, however, you (and optionally a friend) would like to experience the arcade days as you would have when they were still going on, then this is your best option. 

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Conclusion

Arcades have eternally held a special place in the hearts of many gamers. These vibrant, noisy environments once filled with the sound of joysticks clacking, buttons being furiously pressed, and coins dropping, have greatly influenced the evolution of video games. In 2023, the PlayStation 5 keeps this legacy alive, showcasing various games that echo the arcade spirit. From beat-’em-ups like “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge” and “Streets of Rage 4”, to the immersive fighter world of “Street Fighter 6”, and the unique blend of simulation and gameplay in “Arcade Paradise”, there’s something for every kind of arcade aficionado. Whether you yearn for the nostalgic kick of old-school arcade titles or are eager to experience modern-day adaptations of the arcade feel, the PS5 delivers the best of both worlds.

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FAQs

1. Which PS5 game emulates the classic side-scrolling beat-’em-up feel?
   • “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge” captures the essence of old-school side-scrolling beat-’em-ups reminiscent of arcade classics.
2. What game on the list offers both arcade gameplay and management simulation?
   • “Arcade Paradise” provides a unique blend of arcade gaming and simulation where players manage an arcade while also enjoying the games within it.
3. Are there any authentic arcade game collections available on PS5?
   • “Capcom Arcade Stadium” is a modular platform where players can enjoy a plethora of Capcom’s classic arcade titles like “Final Fight” and “Ghouls ‘n Ghosts”.
4. Which PS5 arcade games are actually from the PS4 era but playable on the new console?
   • Both “Horizon Chase Turbo” and “Streets of Rage 4” are originally PS4 games but can be enjoyed seamlessly on the PS5 due to backward compatibility.
5. How does “Returnal” reflect the arcade experience despite its high-end graphics?
   • “Returnal” captures the arcade essence with its ultra-frenetic third-person shooting and roguelite elements, reminiscent of the “just one more try” mentality associated with classic arcade games.