Best Arcade games on Steam
Unlike generic lists, our strategy game recommendations use a rigorous analysis of Steam user reviews to identify and feature only the best, community-validated arcade games. For those who prefer not to search, lists of the most played, top deals and best free arcade games are available at the bottom of the page.
Filters & Lists
TowerFall Ascension
TowerFall Ascension is the definitive version of the hit archery combat game. Inspired by classics from the golden age of couch multiplayer, it's a 4-player local party game centering around hilarious, intense versus matches. The core mechanics are simple and accessible, but hard to master and combat is fierce.
Mitsurugi Kamui Hikae
Take on the role of a warrior maiden forced to hunt down her best friend, who has stolen a sacred demon blade. Immerse yourself in the tale of a deadly feud between two old friends and the demonic sword tearing them apart―told through high-speed action!
Riptide GP2
Rev up your rocket-powered hydro jet and put your racing skills to the test. Riptide GP™2 features dynamic racing on fully interactive water surfaces, a deep career mode with tons of upgrades, customizable riders and skills, online and local multiplayer, and fully integrated controller support.
GIGANTIC ARMY
Side-scrolling mech-shooting bad-assery is BACK!GIGANTIC ARMY is a heartfelt homage to 16-bit era mech shooters such as Cybernator / Assault Suits Valken, Metal Warriors, and Front Mission: Gun Hazard, developed by the studio behind the acclaimed shooter SATAZIUS.
Vanguard Princess
Vanguard Princess is a classic 2D fighting game that features an all-female cast each with its own unique fighting style. Choose from ten girls and pair them with a powerful partner to form an unstoppable team. Navigate their journeies in Story Mode or engage in head-to-head battles in Versus Mode.
One Finger Death Punch
Experience cinematic kung-fu battles in the fastest, most intense brawler the indie world has ever seen! With the unique 1:1 response system of One Finger Death Punch, players will feel the immediate feedback of every bone-crunching hit. Pay tribute to the masters using five classic kung-fu styles mixed with additional weapons.
Ultionus: A Tale of Petty Revenge
Ultionus is a love-letter to the home computer arcade games of the late 80s and early 90s, with colorful 2D visuals, catchy chiptune music by the legendary Jake 'Virt' Kaufman, and 7 stages of hard-as-nails gameplay.
Major Mayhem
Arcade cover shooter inspired by Time Crisis, Metal Slug and 80's action heros! He's got an itchy trigger finger, some scratchy stubble, and a fondness for shooting dudes in the face. Run and gun your way through gorgeous 3D environments as you embark on a mission to rescue your kidnapped girlfriend from the Forces of Evil.
Drunken Robot Pornography
Bullet-hell, boss-battle, first-person shooter, with giant-robots, martinis and jetpacks. YES. Drink the cocktails. Fight the titans. Make your own Titans. Drink your friend's cocktails.
STRIDER™ / ストライダー飛竜®
Strider returns in a brand new adventure, complete with incredible side-scrolling action, and lightning fast combat all in a massive interconnected world! Download the full game February 19th and become the original assassin!
LocoCycle
Newly self-aware, I.R.I.S. the martial-arts wielding assassin motorcycle, has begun a cross-continent escape to freedom. I.R.I.S.’s only ally is her engineer Pablo, who gets conscripted into the quest after his pant leg gets caught in her chassis. Hunted by the psychopathic motorcycle S.P.I.K.E. and a multinational weapons cartel, I.R.I.
METAL SLUG 3
“METAL SLUG 3”, the masterpiece in SNK’s emblematic 2D run & gun action shooting game series, still continues to fascinate millions of fans worldwide to this day for its intricate dot-pixel graphics, and simple and intuitive game controls, heads out to the Steam gaming platform!
OMG Zombies!
OMG! Alert! Alert! The City of Redfield has been hit by an outbreak of exploding zombies! For cool and unimportant reasons these suckers literally explode when shot, showering their zombie brethren with gore and causing chain reactions of showering zombie gibs with just a single bullet!
BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger
The first hi-res 2D fighter from the creators of the Guilty Gear series! BlazBlue is a traditional 2D fighter where two characters participate in a duel.
Reaper - Tale of a Pale Swordsman
Enter the world ripe with magic and monsters. Become the Black Swordsman and slay thousands of enemies in an epic action RPG!
Double Dragon: Neon
BRO-TACULAR! Legendary martial artists, Billy and Jimmy Lee return in this creative re-imagining of the classic beat ‘em up, Double Dragon Neon. Fight your way through countless henchmen including Linda and Abobo on your way to rescue the love of your life, Marian!
Little Racers STREET
Little Racers STREET fuses the fun-oriented simplicity of top-down racing games with the excitement of street racing, and the results couldn't be better!
Jets'n'Guns Gold
Jets'n'Guns is a heavy piece of ground shaking rock blasting action with graphics and special effects that will blow you eyes out! Enjoy yourself in almost-insane action adventure of saving the universe from the deadly threat of more than 270 unique monsters in the campaign of 43 levels.
Super Killer Hornet: Resurrection
'Things will explode, things will die, you will dodge, you will do maths...Yes maths!' Super Killer Hornet Resurrection is an intense vertical shooter with a brain train twist. Through the chaos and explosion try to answer the falling math problems to increase your multiplier and power up your ship.
Aqua Kitty - Milk Mine Defender
Aqua Kitty is a fast paced retro styled submarine arcade shooter with optional 2 player local Co-op.Blast through hordes of mechanical sea monsters in your kitty sub and defend the deep sea milk mining kittens!THE MILK MUST FLOW!
Samurai GUNN
Samurai GUNN is a lightning-fast Bushido brawler for two to four players. Each samurai is armed with a sword and gunn, with only 3 bullets to a life. Strategy and quick reflexes are the key to deflecting bullets and sending your opponents’ heads rolling.
Race The Sun
You are a solar-powered craft. The sun is your death timer. Hurtle towards the sunset at breakneck speed in a futile race against time. Delay the inevitable by catching speed boosts which reverse the setting sun - if only for a moment. Don't crash, stay in the light, and don't slow down!
Nimble Quest
Nimble Quest! Lead a conga line of heroes to glory against hordes of enemies across an endless number of stages. How many enemies can you defeat? Steer your unstoppable (seriously, you can’t stop) party as they cut a path of destruction through levels filled with different enemies and power-ups.Most played arcade games on Steam
Take a look at the top arcade games that are currently attracting the largest player bases on the Steam platform, as of April 30th 2025.
1. Street Fighter™ 6
Here comes Capcom’s newest challenger! Street Fighter™ 6 launches worldwide on June 2nd, 2023 and represents the next evolution of the Street Fighter™ series! Street Fighter 6 spans three distinct game modes, including World Tour, Fighting Ground and Battle Hub. Street Fighter™ 6 is a 2d fighter, fighting and character customization game developed and published by CAPCOM Co. and Ltd.. Released on June 01st 2023 has received 55,290 reviews of which 47,198 were positive and 8,092 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.4 out of 10. The game has hit the top spot as the #1 most played arcade game, thanks to its 6,331 peak concurrent players over the last day.
8.4
47,198
8,092
6,331
players
2. Nubby's Number Factory
A plinko-style roguelike where you work at a number factory. Launch your spherical friend, Nubby, down a pegboard to make bigger and bigger numbers! But beware, if you fail to meet your number quota, the sun will explode. Nubby's Number Factory is a strategy, rogue-like and arcade game developed and published by MogDogBlog Productions. Released on March 07th 2025 has received 6,930 reviews of which 6,775 were positive and 155 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.4 out of 10. While seeing 2,221 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #2 among arcade games based on player count.
9.4
6,775
155
2,221
players
3. Fish Idle 2: Underwater Mystery
Dive into the most fun idle fishing arcade game! Manage your Fish Kingdoms with automated fishing, upgrade your boat and gear, invest in passive income, and outsmart the market. Become the ultimate fish tycoon! Fish Idle 2: Underwater Mystery is a casual, adventure and point & click game developed by Multicast and published by MulticastGames. Released on November 15th 2024 has received 974 reviews of which 671 were positive and 303 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. While seeing 1,011 players online at once in the last 24 hours, this game is currently ranked #3 among arcade games based on player count.
6.7
671
303
1,011
players
4. Crab Champions
Claw your way across exotic islands combining fluid movement with fast paced combat to become a Crab Champion in this third person roguelike shooter. Crab Champions is a early access, action roguelike and soundtrack game developed and published by Noisestorm. Released on April 01st 2023 has received 26,411 reviews of which 25,871 were positive and 540 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.6 out of 10. With 976 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #4 spot among the most played arcade games.
9.6
25,871
540
976
players
5. RetroArch
RetroArch is an open source and cross platform frontend/framework for emulators, game engines, video games, media players and other applications RetroArch is a free to play, retro and software game developed and published by Libretro. Released on May 27th 2022 has received 7,908 reviews of which 7,095 were positive and 813 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. With 494 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #5 spot among the most played arcade games.
8.7
7,095
813
494
players
6. TEKKEN 7
Discover the epic conclusion of the long-time clan warfare between members of the Mishima family. Powered by Unreal Engine 4, the legendary fighting game franchise fights back with stunning story-driven cinematic battles and intense duels that can be enjoyed with friends and rivals. TEKKEN 7 is a fighting, action and multiplayer game developed by Bandai Namco Studios Inc. and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Released on June 01st 2017 has received 92,484 reviews of which 76,923 were positive and 15,561 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. With 493 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #6 spot among the most played arcade games.
8.2
76,923
15,561
493
players
7. Zuma Deluxe
Deep in the jungle lie hidden temples bursting with traps and trickery, and it's up to you to uncover their treasures. Fire magical balls from your stone frog idol to make matches of three or more and clear the deadly chain before it reaches the golden skull. Zuma Deluxe is a match 3, puzzle and arcade game developed by PopCap Games and Inc. and published by PopCap Games, Inc. and Electronic Arts. Released on August 30th 2006 has received 5,242 reviews of which 4,995 were positive and 247 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.2 out of 10. With 479 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played arcade games.
9.2
4,995
247
479
players
8. Rogue: Genesia
Walk upon a new world and slay foes endangering it. Rogue : Genesia is an action rogue-lite game, where you fight relentless hordes consisting of hundreds and thousands of monsters, make your build, break the balance, defeat bosses and save one of the many worlds. Rogue: Genesia is a action roguelike, rogue-lite and bullet hell game developed by Ouadi Huard and published by Ouadi Huard and Gamersky Games. Released on March 07th 2025 has received 7,340 reviews of which 6,705 were positive and 635 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.9 out of 10. With 465 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played arcade games.
8.9
6,705
635
465
players
9. The Crew Motorfest
Welcome to Motorfest, the ultimate open-world driving experience. Explore the Hawaiian islands of O'ahu and Maui. Celebrate the best of car culture through 20+ themed campaigns (street racing, offroad, drift...) and collect hundreds of iconic vehicles. Enjoy the game free for five hours! The Crew Motorfest is a racing, arcade and open world game developed by Ubisoft Ivory Tower and published by Ubisoft. Released on April 18th 2024 has received 7,384 reviews of which 5,763 were positive and 1,621 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.6 out of 10. With 446 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played arcade games.
7.6
5,763
1,621
446
players
10. Metal Slug: Awakening
Metal Slug: Awakening continues the classic gameplay loved by fans, with exciting new features like World Adventure, 3-player Team-up, and Roguelike challenges. Join forces with your friends online to take on powerful bosses anytime, anywhere! Metal Slug: Awakening is a shoot 'em up, 2d platformer and arcade game developed by Tencent and published by HaoPlay Limited. Released on July 19th 2024 has received 3,139 reviews of which 2,125 were positive and 1,014 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. With 388 concurrent players in the last 24 hours, the game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played arcade games.
6.6
2,125
1,014
388
players
Best deals on arcade games on Steam
Discover fantastic savings with the best discounts on a variety of arcade games available on Steam right now, updated on April 30th 2025. Looking for even more deals? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of discounted arcade games.
1. Inertial Drift
An arcade racer that tears up the rule book with innovative twin-stick controls, completely re-imagined driving mechanics and a huge roster of fiercely individual cars and tracks. Inertial Drift is a racing, indie and arcade game developed by Level 91 Entertainment and published by PQube. Released on September 11th 2020 has received 1,338 reviews of which 1,156 were positive and 182 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Featuring a massive 95% discount, this game currently holds the #1 spot in the best deals for arcade category.
8.2
1,156
182
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
2. Arcade Paradise
Manage profits, pick up gum, do the laundry and get coin to unlock arcade units and flip the family laundromat business to become an Arcade Paradise! Arcade Paradise is a adventure, arcade and management game developed by Nosebleed Interactive and published by Wired Productions. Released on August 11th 2022 has received 1,715 reviews of which 1,400 were positive and 315 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 95% discount, this game is now the #2 best deal in arcade games.
7.8
1,400
315
-95%
20.00€
1.00€
3. Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?!
Cook, serve and manage your food truck as you dish out hundreds of different foods across war-torn America in this massive sequel to the million-selling series! Cook, Serve, Delicious! 3?! is a typing, management and difficult game developed and published by Vertigo Gaming Inc.. Released on October 14th 2020 has received 2,137 reviews of which 1,945 were positive and 192 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Thanks to its incredible 94% discount, this game is now the #3 best deal in arcade games.
8.7
1,945
192
-94%
16.67€
1.00€
4. Paper Planet
Paper Planet is a planet-defender, arcade roguelike with a doodley, Flash-inspired artstyle. Battle through waves of unique enemies and bosses. Combine items with strange and wacky effects for insanely overpowered runs. Play with 1-4 players, for some chaotic co-op fun! Paper Planet is a action roguelike, tower defense and bullet hell game developed by Doodlegames and published by 2 Left Thumbs. Released on August 21st 2023 has received 469 reviews of which 410 were positive and 59 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #4 position in the best deals for arcade games.
8.2
410
59
-92%
12.50€
1.00€
5. Bee Simulator
Live the big adventure of a small bee! Explore a world brimming with life in which you collect pollen, defy dangerous wasps and save your hive! Play with others in three game modes, including four players co-op and PvP on split screen. Bee Simulator is a flight, family friendly and adventure game developed by VARSAV Game Studios and published by Untold Tales. Released on November 17th 2020 has received 1,258 reviews of which 929 were positive and 329 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.1 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 92% discount, this title has earned the #5 position in the best deals for arcade games.
7.1
929
329
-92%
19.13€
1.53€
6. UBERMOSH Vol.5
The fifth volume of the arcade series UBERMOSH. UBERMOSH Vol.5 is a indie, action and arcade game developed and published by Walter Machado. Released on May 25th 2017 has received 341 reviews of which 321 were positive and 20 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #6 position in the best deals for arcade games.
8.7
321
20
-90%
4.99€
0.49€
7. Heretic's Fork
Dear candidate, we are pleased to invite you to take up the position of manager of Hell. You will punish sinners by using our deck-building computer system to construct hellish towers capable of keeping the endless hordes of the underworld in check. Best of luck! Heretic's Fork is a deckbuilding, tower defense and arcade game developed by 9FingerGames and published by Ravenage Games. Released on September 13th 2023 has received 3,526 reviews of which 3,020 were positive and 506 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.3 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #7 position in the best deals for arcade games.
8.3
3,020
506
-90%
10.00€
1.00€
8. UBERMOSH Vol.3
The third volume of the arcade series UBERMOSH. UBERMOSH Vol.3 is a action, indie and arcade game developed and published by Walter Machado. Released on August 15th 2016 has received 308 reviews of which 274 were positive and 34 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #8 position in the best deals for arcade games.
8.2
274
34
-90%
4.99€
0.49€
9. UBERMOSH:BLACK
UBERMOSH:BLACK is the second volume of the arcade series UBERMOSH. Cut bullets with your sword, shoot with heavy guns and splatter enemies with a rage fueled psionic wave. UBERMOSH:BLACK is a action, indie and arcade game developed and published by Walter Machado. Released on February 17th 2016 has received 365 reviews of which 306 were positive and 59 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #9 position in the best deals for arcade games.
7.8
306
59
-90%
4.99€
0.49€
10. Bang Bang Racing
Be one step ahead of your competitors, finding shortcuts, repairing your car in the pit lane, and dominating your opponents from the top-down view. Bang Bang Racing is a racing, arcade and local multiplayer game developed by Digital Reality Software & Playbox and published by HandyGames. Released on June 08th 2012 has received 630 reviews of which 518 were positive and 112 were negative resulting in a rating of 7.8 out of 10. Currently offered at a significant 90% discount, this title has earned the #10 position in the best deals for arcade games.
7.8
518
112
-90%
10.00€
1.00€
Free arcade games on Steam
Check out this fantastic list of free-to-play arcade games you can enjoy on Steam right now, updated on April 30th 2025. Looking for even more free titles? Use the search filters to explore a wider range of free to play arcade games.
1. Fish Idle 2: Underwater Mystery
Dive into the most fun idle fishing arcade game! Manage your Fish Kingdoms with automated fishing, upgrade your boat and gear, invest in passive income, and outsmart the market. Become the ultimate fish tycoon! Fish Idle 2: Underwater Mystery is a casual, adventure and point & click game developed by Multicast and published by MulticastGames. Released on November 15th 2024 has received 974 reviews of which 671 were positive and 303 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. With 1,011 active players enjoying it for free, this strategy game has reached the #1 spot among the top free arcade games on Steam.
6.7
671
303
1,011
players
2. RetroArch
RetroArch is an open source and cross platform frontend/framework for emulators, game engines, video games, media players and other applications RetroArch is a free to play, retro and software game developed and published by Libretro. Released on May 27th 2022 has received 7,908 reviews of which 7,095 were positive and 813 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.7 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 494, this arcade game has secured the #2 spot in the ranking of free arcade games on Steam.
8.7
7,095
813
494
players
3. Metal Slug: Awakening
Metal Slug: Awakening continues the classic gameplay loved by fans, with exciting new features like World Adventure, 3-player Team-up, and Roguelike challenges. Join forces with your friends online to take on powerful bosses anytime, anywhere! Metal Slug: Awakening is a shoot 'em up, 2d platformer and arcade game developed by Tencent and published by HaoPlay Limited. Released on July 19th 2024 has received 3,139 reviews of which 2,125 were positive and 1,014 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. Thanks to its free to play tag and a daily player base of 388, this arcade game has secured the #3 spot in the ranking of free arcade games on Steam.
6.6
2,125
1,014
388
players
4. Slapshot: Rebound
Slapshot: Rebound is a physics-based multiplayer game where you play an arcade style match of hockey. No shoot button, no puck glue, no RNG. It’s up to you and your team to take control of the puck, pass, shoot, outplay your opponents. Play with your friends or team up with other Slapshot players! Slapshot: Rebound is a early access, sports and arcade game developed and published by Oddshot Games. Released on April 11th 2024 has received 8,613 reviews of which 7,247 were positive and 1,366 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.2 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 339 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #4 position in the best free arcade games on Steam.
8.2
7,247
1,366
339
players
5. Disney Speedstorm
Welcome to Disney Speedstorm! Drift into the ultimate hero-based combat racing game, set on high-speed circuits inspired by Disney and Pixar worlds. Master each character’s unique skills and claim victory in this thrilling arcade racing experience from the creators of the Asphalt series! Disney Speedstorm is a racing, multiplayer and action game developed and published by Gameloft. Released on April 18th 2023 has received 7,139 reviews of which 4,812 were positive and 2,327 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.6 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 209 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #5 position in the best free arcade games on Steam.
6.6
4,812
2,327
209
players
6. Ninja Kiwi Archive
Enjoy some of the best loved Flash games of the past in this awesome time capsule of over 60 Ninja Kiwi classics. Experience a piece of history and play the original Flash games that spawned the worldwide phenomenon of Bloons TD. Ninja Kiwi Archive is a casual, arcade and strategy game developed and published by Ninja Kiwi. Released on July 08th 2020 has received 5,395 reviews of which 5,066 were positive and 329 were negative resulting in an impressive rating of 9.1 out of 10. Attracting a solid base of 132 players due to its free access, this strategy game has achieved the #6 position in the best free arcade games on Steam.
9.1
5,066
329
132
players
7. Pinball FX3
Pinball FX3 is the biggest, most community focused pinball game ever created. Multiplayer matchups, user generated tournaments and league play create endless opportunity for pinball competition. Pinball FX3 is a pinball, free to play and simulation game developed and published by Zen Studios. Released on September 26th 2017 has received 5,153 reviews of which 4,529 were positive and 624 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #7 spot among the most played free arcade games on Steam.
8.5
4,529
624
100
players
8. Pinball FX
Pinball FX is digital pinball evolved. Get the highest score on tables inspired by the biggest brands in entertainment. New tables arrive frequently! Pinball FX is a free to play, pinball and arcade game developed and published by Zen Studios. Released on April 13th 2023 has received 2,079 reviews of which 1,449 were positive and 630 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.8 out of 10. The game currently holds the #8 spot among the most played free arcade games on Steam.
6.8
1,449
630
85
players
9. Egg Surprise
A fun clicker with economic simulation in the penguin kingdom. Obtain rare collections, venture into dangerous dungeons, and build your own civilization! Egg Surprise is a simulation, clicker and arcade game developed and published by SQRT Games. Released on June 20th 2024 has received 1,172 reviews of which 814 were positive and 358 were negative resulting in a rating of 6.7 out of 10. The game currently holds the #9 spot among the most played free arcade games on Steam.
6.7
814
358
67
players
10. Just Act Natural
Just Act Natural is a hand-crafted online party game where players must hide among NPC characters to avoid detection from the seeker. Compete against your friends in a variety of game modes over a course of different rounds to be crowned the winner! Just Act Natural is a multiplayer, casual and action game developed by Conor Garity and Liam Kerrigan and published by Conor Garity. Released on March 25th 2022 has received 5,749 reviews of which 5,073 were positive and 676 were negative resulting in a rating of 8.5 out of 10. The game currently holds the #10 spot among the most played free arcade games on Steam.
8.5
5,073
676
52
players