When I think of arcades I immediately think of fighting games. They are one of the big money makers for arcades and are the pinnacle of head to head competition. There is nothing better than pitting your skills against all comers because even in defeat you at least learn something you can apply to the next round. With Xbox Live, the competitive feel and sense of camaraderie is easy to get at home. You can instantly find opponents of any skill level and then settle in for a great evening of combat. A good arcade stick is absolutely required for this - we are trying to get the arcade experience at home, after all – so spend a little extra dough on a stick. It is worth it.
-
Required Hardware
- Xbox Live account
- Xbox Live Headset (because trash talking is all part of the experience)
- A quality arcade fighting stick – I highly recommend the X-Arcade stick, but the Hori Real Arcade Pro or the NubyTech Street Fighter Anniversary Stick are fine products as well
- Dead or Alive Ultimate
- Capcom vs. SNK 2 EO
- Guilty Gear X2 #Reload
- Mortal Kombat Deception
- Street Fighter Anniversary Collection
- Marvel vs. Capcom 2
- Soul Calibur II
- Tekken 5 (PS2)
- Tekken Tag Tournament (PS2)
- Virtua Fighter 4: Evolution (PS2)
Recommended Games
Driving Games
Driving games are a thrill to play in the arcade because you get to actually sit behind the wheel and control everything just like a real car. Some games even feature real racing seats along with working gear shifts and emergency brake handles to really immerse you in the game. Getting the same experience at home is somewhat expensive due to the hardware involved, but the end result is worth it. Playing online sweetens the deal even more because most games allow you to use your own customized rides which, when coupled with the inevitable trash talking, creates a very fun and very competitive environment that is just like the arcade.
-
Required Hardware
- Xbox Live w/ Headset
- A quality racing wheel – I highly recommend the Fanatec Speedster 3 wheel which provides force feedback just like you’ll find in the arcade, but the less expensive Mad Catz MC2 Universal wheel is also very good (minus the force feedback)
- A good seat – Being comfortable while you drive is extremely important. I have found that a banana chair or adjustable office chair work very well. You can also take it to the extreme and get a special arcade racing seat.
- Forza Motorsport
- Burnout 3
- Crazy Taxi 3
- Need for Speed Underground 2
- RalliSport Challenge 2
- Project Gotham Racing 2
- Midnight Club 3
Recommended Games
Continued on Page 3 - Shooting, Music/Rhythm, and Arcade Classics
