In video gaming, an arcade refers to a dedicated location in which two or more games may be installed for the entertainment of patrons to a particular business. In the West, it most commonly refers to a class of entertainment businesses that was popular worldwide between about 1975 and the late 1990s, in which patrons would gather to play games of many styles and compete in head-to-head matches when such features were available. The term ultimately rose from the galleries of games hosted at fairs, which were frequently positioned close to one another so as to encourage competitive play and replay. Modern arcades were also typically installed in public businesses such as department stores, bars, restaurants, and hotels.
An arcade game, also known as an arcade machine, arcade cabinet, or coin-op, is a coin-operated gaming machine. While there is no set manufacturer of arcade hardware in contrast to console companies, video game companies that aim for the arcade market usually operate a division responsible for the production of their own series of hardware and properties related. A few examples would be Capcom and Taito Corporation.
Arcade games first appeared in the early 1970s, with Pong as the first commercial success for the platform. They had been popular in most of the world, but home consoles and computers would eventually displace them. Yet in Japan and other parts of Asia, arcades remain popular to present day, with credit for the stability of the platform given to cultural and infrastructural factors in the region. In Japan specifically, arcades are regulated similarly to casinos and remain an important part of social networking.
Final Fantasy titles released as arcades[]
- Dissidia Final Fantasy - Japan only
- Theatrhythm Final Fantasy All-Star Carnival - Japan only
- Chocobo de Battle - Canceled
Related games[]
- Ehrgeiz: God Bless the Ring
- Gunslinger Stratos - 2012, Japan only
- Lord of Vermilion - 2008, Japan only
- Lord of Vermilion II - 2009, Japan only
- Lord of Vermilion III - 2013, Japan only