Top 10 Modern Arcade Games

Bringing the classic Tunnel Shooting Fighter Jet franchise into HD, After Burner Climax really made you feel the need for speed in this incredibly fast paced shooter, And we mean “Incredibly Fast”. Coming in a cabinet that that tilted left and right as you flew your jet, Climax supplied the player with an unlimited amount of missiles, and even allowed you to slow down time with it’s climax feature to allow you to lock-on and destroy multiple enemies at once. If you’re looking for a wild adrenaline rush, be ready to push your reflexed to the max.

Continuing the popular franchise that began in the 90s, this game is the fourth instalment in the series and not only brings some nice updated graphics, but a few new gameplay features as well. The game includes a critical shots counter in which the player is rewarded for headshots and collectible grenades that are used to blow up zombies. It is also notable for being the first arcade light gun game to include a Widescreen HD display, and as a result, it looks absolutely stunning. Shooting zombies has never been so fun.

Another light gun shooter, here, you step into the shoes of a member of the titular squad to kill terrorists and save the President, you know every video game anti-terrorism organization’s weekend job. The game is notable for the gun's recoil, an added element of immersion, and the ability to physically set the gun from single fire to burst, or even fully automatic. While light gun shooters were nothing fancy in the new millennium, this game added a few surprising twists and became an instant classic.

Ok There wasn't a whole lot of original arcade games in the 2000s, was there? Regardless of originality, "Tekken 5" proved a smash success and invigorated the fighting genre in arcades. In this fifth installment of the popular franchise, the game eliminates controversial features of the previous entry such as the uneven stages and returned to the fast-paced roots of the originals. As one of the best titles in the series, the entry became the standard for all future Tekken releases.

Even though its called OutRun 2, this is actually the fourth entry in the series. Sega employs the same numbering system as Rockstar, apparently. The game has 2 modes, there’s your classic outrun mode, driving from start to finish with multiple branching paths to get to the goal, and Heart Attack mode where you drift around corners and narrowly avoid other cars in order to fill your girlfriend's "heart meter." It's an original concept compared to the traditional racing games prevalent in arcades. The originality mixed with gorgeous graphics and an unique soundtrack make this game a memorable one.

You know how much fun "Mario Kart" is when you're not trying to kill your friends? Imagine playing it in an arcade, and you have an idea of how good this game was. The gameplay follows the basic "Mario Kart" formula, but in a sit-down cart that you can drive. Its unique features include taking a picture of your face to display next to your driver and playable crossover characters such as Pac-Man and Blinky. Incredibly fun due to the competitive nature of the arcade, this game’s take on the classic formula was a true hit.

"Silent Scope 2" took the light gun concept and flipped it on its head to create something truly unique and fantastic. The game features a large gun mounted to the cabinet in the form of a sniper rifle, with a second screen inside the scope immersing the players into the shoes of a sniper. While the original included this feature, the sequel took the Time Crisis route by adding co-op play. The settings were gorgeous and varied, including an opera house and London's Tower Bridge. The Console versions sadly don’t quite match the immersion of the Arcade but if you can still find this game around, you won’t be disappointed.

In an age where arcade games are struggling to make business, it's amazing that a game like "Star Wars Battle Pod" is able to create so much hype and praise. Unveiled at the New York Comic Con in 2014, the game features a unique dome that completely circles the player, giving them a 180-degree field of view of the "Star Wars" worlds. The pod itself gives the feeling of actually flying an X-Wing through the films' most popular set pieces, helping to create one of the most original and fun "Star Wars" games in years.

What happens when you combine two gigantic companies with well-known characters into one game? epicness ensues. This is the lesson that gamers knew in 2000 when this game was released to much praise. While the original introduced the concept of a 2v2 crossover fighter, this game went totally overboard with a total of 56 playable characters in 3v3 matchups. Making use of over the top super moves and massive combos, not to mention an almost infinite amount of team-up possibilities and the novelty of two brands fighting each other never truly wore off.

Before we look at the best arcade game that the 2000s had to offer, here are a few honorable mentions.

"Beatmania III" (2000)

"After Burner Climax" (2006)

"Aliens Extermination" (2006)

Ok so the original game technically came out in 1999, but because its later revisions were released throughout the 2000’s; we consider the series the best the 2000’s offered in the arcades. Players stomped their feet in tune to music by following the on screen arrows, though as we all know, this is harder than it looks. This method of gameplay quickly earned praise and led to numerous knockoffs and influenced other popular rhythm games. It may not have been the first rhythm game but it was the biggest breakout hit for the genre, and while we may never be as good as this guy, its fun enough for virtually anyone to enjoy.

Do you agree with our list? What arcade game from the 2000s is your favourite? For more fun top tens published every day, be sure to subscribe to Watchmojo.com.