Spending hours on end in an arcade game store was one of the most fun things we’ve done as kids. But in this digital era, games have become more accessible and don’t require you to go out to a store to play them — technology has evolved and so have games. So, if you’re looking to experience those types of games again, then you need to own the best arcade games for PS5.
With the PS5’s powerful processor and backward compatibility, you can play modern and retro arcade games all in one place. The PlayStation store offers an impressive catalog of arcade games which covers a lot of other genres too. For fighting game enthusiasts, you have games like Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat, or if you’re into racing games, you’ve got games like Hot Wheels Unleashed, which is so much fun!
Sometimes it’s quite hard to settle on a really good arcade game and since new arcade-style games are hard to come by, choosing becomes more difficult. So, our team has come up with a list of the 7 best arcade games for the PS5 consoles to reminisce about the good old times of playing arcade games.
What Are the Best PS5 Games to Play With an Arcade Stick?
Ideally, arcade sticks are used for fighting games like Street Fighter 6, Mortal Kombat, or other fighting games. But you can also play 2D platformers and old-school arcade games since they don’t depend on D-pad inputs.
Best Arcade Games for PS5
We may not be able to experience the old arcade games like we used to as kids, but we’ve got the next best thing. This is a list of your favorite arcade games for PS5 that we’ve played over and over and keep going back. We bet that you will too.
BEST OVERALL
Street Fighter 6
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Street Fighter 6 is an excellent arcade-style fighting game that offers intense and satisfying gameplay. For the longest time, it ruled the arcade era and it still continues to do so on the PS5 console. What we love about it is that it retains all of its classic game mechanics while also introducing new modes.
In its “World Tour” mode, you get to experience an open-world setting where you can explore different areas of the map and participate in battles. The game has a total of 18 characters and each of them has unique move sets and finishers. SF6 also introduces a real-time commentary system that uses the voices of popular commentators like Vicious and Aru. This brings uniqueness to every match and helps retain the hype built up by the commentary. And with its beautiful graphics, this is one of the best arcade games for PS5! So, bring home this classic arcade game for PS5 and relive the nostalgia.
Best Shoot ’em up
Returnal
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Returnal falls under the rogue-like genre with roots in old-school shoot ’em up games. It is developed by Housemarque, the studio that’s famous for its catalog of arcade games. It was, in many ways, a total surprise when the game was released because, despite the punishing nature of the genre, very few games can make it this good-looking, enjoyable, and satisfying. It’s true that the combat is hard but it is also very rewarding.
Returnal has an incredible combat system that gets better the more you play. With its fast-paced combat combined with exploration in an atmospheric setting on an alien planet, the game delivers an absolutely unique experience. The visuals are stunning with an art style that complements the game and all its themes. The environment and characters are detailed and look stunning on a 4K display. It also utilizes PS5’s 3D audio technology to create a more eerie and immersive experience. The game is hit-or-miss with a lot of gamers given its difficulty, but if you play it strategically, you will realize how satisfying it feels to finish a game like this. So, give a chance to this old-school arcade game for PS5 and see for yourself how good it really is.
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Who doesn’t love to play as the ass-kicking ninja turtles? We know we do. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Cowabunga Collection brings together a set of 13 of the classic TMNT games in one package. For anyone who missed out on playing these games or wants to relive the nostalgia, this collection is an excellent choice to purchase. It holds some of our favorite titles like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Arcade Game and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time.
This is not a remake of the original games, instead, this is a well-optimized port for the modern-day consoles. The gameplay, the visuals, the audio, and everything about it feel just like the original version. Some of the titles even have an active online gameplay system, which sadly, is not played by many. Nonetheless, this collection of retro arcade games for PS5 is worth buying.
Best Platformer
PAC-MAN World Re-PAC
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
PAC-MAN is one of the OG arcade games that we’re sure every type of gamer has played at least once in their life. PAC-MAN World Re-PAC is a remake of the original arcade platformer which was released back in 1999. This remake brings that game to modern consoles with a lot of enhancements.
PAC-MAN World combines 3D platforming mechanics with the classic PAC-MAN gameplay like consuming pellets and dodging ghosts. While the audio stays mostly the same, this version improves a lot on the 1999 game with smoother gameplay and gives the entire environment a massive upgrade for a more vibrant visual style. The gameplay is so much fun and is recommended for a laid-back gaming session. This being a family-friendly game, it’s completely okay to let your kid play it to their heart’s content.
Best Collection
Arcade Game Zone
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Arcade Game Zone is a collection that features a variety of classic arcade-style games, that caters to all fans of retro-style games. It includes a total of 40 games, where a lot of them are reimagined with modern graphics and gameplay mechanics.
On the PS5, all of the included games will feel familiar and fresh at the same time. And just like most arcade games, there is a leaderboard system to showcase your high score achieved during your gameplay. Not only single-player, it also includes local multiplayer and online multiplayer modes, adding a sense of competition and accomplishment when you come out victorious. If you’ve been wanting to play some of your favorite arcade games, then you need this collection of the best arcade games for your PS5.
Best Racing
Hot Wheels Unleashed
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Hot Wheels Unleashed is the definition of a true arcade racing game for PS5. As kids, we’ve played plenty with Hot Wheels mini cars and now as adults, we do the same but in a video game format. This is a fun and fast-paced arcade racing game that takes place on imaginative tracks.
The game developer, Milestone, has created a beautiful-looking game with amazing graphics and highly satisfying gameplay. There are over 60 detailed and unique cars to unlock that not only look great but also feel amazing to drive. The game includes original Hot Wheels designs along with some real-life cars in its large collection. When it comes to actual racing, the gameplay is smooth and satisfying, which will definitely quench your thirst for a good racing game. It supports both a split-screen mode and also an online mode where it can match up to 12 players for a single match. The environments are designed with a lot of care and attention and ensure that it feels like a miniature setting, just like how it’s supposed to be.
PHOTO CREDIT: AMAZON
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is another fun, side-scrolling beat ’em up game that pays tribute to the classic arcade games. Released back in 2022, it has our favorite ninja turtle crew which consists of Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael taking on all those familiar bad guys, including Shredder and the Foot Clan.
It has very vintage, old-school artwork that is sure to bring up some good memories from the past. It has both single-player and co-op modes, so you can team up with your friends for some old-school turtle action. There are some really unique abilities and special moves for each character that just really makes the gameplay varied and fun. Additionally, the soundtrack adds a lot of fun to the gameplay, keeping the momentum going.
Best Collection
Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration – Expanded Edition
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Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration is a collection of classic video games released in 2022. This collection was created in order to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Atari. Additionally, it has a documentary with interviews and archived footage of the company and its key figures who worked on the games included in this collection.
It features 90 classic games that are emulated to work on other consoles such as the PS4 and PS5. The catalog includes games like Adventure, Berzerk, Asteroids, Solaris, and so much more. If you, like us, have grown up playing these amazing games, then you know it’s worth it. The collection also includes remastered versions of some games, updating visuals and adding new features, while maintaining the original spirit of the classics.
What Arcade Sticks Work on PS5 Games?
Our team has tested and found that the HORI Fighting Stick and Victrix Pro FS-12 Fight Stick are some of the best fighting sticks that are compatible and easy to use on the PS5 console. These controllers are made of high quality and can withstand intense usage. You can read our Best PS5 Controller article to know more about them.
How We Chose the Best Arcade Games for PS5
This list of PS5 arcade games was curated by our team of gamers who chose these games on their relevance to the topic. First, the team did extensive research and sought a wide range of games to test. Then they played and tested all of the above games for factors like gameplay, graphics, performance, and so much more. Additionally, the team also looked for games with high replay value, offering engaging mechanics, challenges, and worthy of its price tag.
FAQ
Can I play PS3 games on my PS5?
Currently, PS5 has backward compatibility only for PS4 games. Any games from the older consoles are not supported on the PS5.
Can PS5 play PS2 games?
No, PS5 does not support backward compatibility for PS2 games.
Can I use a PS4 stick on PS5?
Yes, you can use your PS4 sticks on the PS5.
Can I play my digital games on PS5?
Apart from PS5 games, you can only play PS4 digital games on the console.
