Arcade System Boards

Common arcade hardware platforms and their games.

Overview

Arcade manufacturers created standardized hardware platforms that ran multiple games. Knowing these systems helps you understand compatibility and find games.

Capcom Systems

CPS1 (1988-1995)

Capcom's first standardized board. Excellent 2D graphics.

Notable games: Street Fighter II, Final Fight, Ghouls 'n Ghosts, Strider

CPS2 (1993-2003)

Improved CPS1 with better graphics and sound.

Notable games: Super Street Fighter II, Marvel vs Capcom, Vampire Savior, Progear

CPS3 (1996-1999)

Powerful but short-lived. Only six games released.

Notable games: Street Fighter III series, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Red Earth

SNK Systems

Neo Geo MVS (1990-2004)

Legendary 2D arcade platform with home console counterpart (AES).

Notable games: King of Fighters series, Metal Slug series, Samurai Shodown, Garou: Mark of the Wolves

See Neo Geo page for details.

Sega Systems

Sega System 16/18 (1986-1992)

Popular 16-bit arcade boards.

Notable games: Golden Axe, Altered Beast, Shinobi, Shadow Dancer

Sega NAOMI (1998-2009)

Dreamcast-based arcade hardware.

Notable games: Marvel vs Capcom 2, Ikaruga, Crazy Taxi, Virtua Tennis

Emulated by Flycast - same emulator as Dreamcast.

Atomiswave (2003-2009)

Sammy's NAOMI-derived system.

Notable games: Metal Slug 6, King of Fighters Neowave, Guilty Gear Isuka

Other Notable Systems

Namco System Series

Various boards from Namco/Bandai Namco.

Notable games: Tekken series, Soul Calibur, Ridge Racer, Time Crisis

Taito F3 (1992-1998)

Taito's 32-bit platform.

Notable games: Darius Gaiden, Puzzle Bobble, RayForce, G-Darius

Cave Hardware (1994-2012)

Various boards for bullet hell shooters.

Notable games: DoDonPachi series, Mushihimesama, Espgaluda, Deathsmiles

Emulation Notes

System	Best Emulator	Performance
CPS1/2/3	FinalBurn Neo	Excellent
Neo Geo	FinalBurn Neo	Excellent
NAOMI/Atomiswave	Flycast	Good to Excellent
Namco System 12+	MAME	Varies
Cave	FinalBurn Neo	Excellent