These Budget-Friendly Arcade Cabinets Are Perfect Holiday Gifts

Everybody loves arcade cabinets, but many people simply don’t have space in their home–or cash in their wallet–to dedicate to a full-size machine. If that’s the case, it’s worth checking out the long list of mini arcades up for grabs. These are designed from the ground up to fit onto desktops and countertops–some of which are just a few inches in size, and all of which are more affordable than full-size cabinets. They make great holiday gifts for retro gaming fans, though they’re also nice to have in your own office as a display piece (or as a way to take a break from your work).

Whatever the case may be, plenty of mini arcades are available. Some are even on sale ahead of Black Friday, giving you a chance to cross people off your shopping list before the busy holiday season. From Tiny Arcades to Arcade1Up, here’s a look at the best mini arcades.

Tiny Arcades

These Tiny Arcades take up practically no space, with microscopic 3.5-inch displays that can fit onto even the most crowded desk. Despite their small size, these are functioning machines. The Atari 2600 model is particularly enticing, as it comes with a tiny TV cabinet, Atari console, and Atari joystick. Best of all, it supports 10 games such as Pac-Man and Breakout. The Pac-Man edition also looks pretty sleek, thanks to a bright yellow design with retro graphics.

My Arcade

These models are slightly larger than the Tiny Arcades above, some of which are designed with larger joysticks for better playability. This is especially true for the Galaga Joystick Player. It lets you play Galaga and Galaxian on a 3.2-inch color display, yet boasts a larger joystick that should make it more comfortable for extended play sessions. You’ll also find Micro Players up for grabs, which are similar in size to the Tiny Arcades.

Neo Geo Mini

Looking for a mini arcade packed with games? Then check out the handful of Neo Geo Mini cabinets up for grabs. A popular choice is the Neo Geo Mini International Version, which features 40 preinstalled games (such as The King of Fighters and Metal Slug). Consider stepping up to the International Version + Gamepad Edition to get a full-size gamepad for more comfortable controls. Additionally, you can buy the standalone 8BitDo Neo Geo Wireless Controller, as it works with not just the Neo Geo Mini, but also PC and Android.

Evercade Alpha Bartop Arcade

If you’re looking for something more robust, take a look at the upcoming Evercade Alpha Bartop Arcade cabinets. These feature an 8-inch display and stereo speakers and come preloaded with six games each. Here’s the complete list of games:

Mega Man Alpha Bartop Arcade

• Mega Man: The Power Battle
• Mega Man 2: The Power Fighters
• Carrier Air Wing
• Final Fight
• Knights of the Round
• Strider

Street Fighter Alpha Bartop Arcade

• Street Fighter 2 Champion Edition
• Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo
• Super Puzzle Fighter 2 Turbo
• Street Fighter Alpha: Warriors’ Dreams
• Street Fighter Alpha 2
• Street Fighter 3 Alpha 3

Along with these pre-installed games, the Bartop Arcade cabinets can also play Evercade game cartridges.

Both Evercade Bartop Arcade cabinets are available for preorder on Amazon ahead of their November 28 launch date. Note that the Street Fighter version seems to randomly become unavailable–if you can’t preorder now, be sure to check back later. Both versions support third-party wired controllers and Bluetooth wireless controllers when paired with the 8BitDo Wireless USB Adapter. Consider bundling in the 8BitDo Pro 2 or 8BitDo SN30 Pro to prevent finger cramps.

Arcade1Up Countercade

Released last month, the Arcade1Up Pac-Man Countercade and Pac-Man + Galaga Countercade are two more premium options. Each cabinet is playable right out of the box and features a 7-inch color display and full-size arcade controls. The Pac-Man edition includes Pac-Man, Super Pac-Man, and Pac-Mania, while the Pac-Man + Galaga edition includes Ms. Pac-Man, Galaga, and Dig Dug.