This X-Men arcade machine has me hyped for the cartoon’s revival

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By Phil Hayton
published

Wolverine, bring me a cheese pizza.

X-Men arcade1up cabinet with X-Men vs Street Fighter key art in backdrop
(Image credit: Arcade1up)

I’m already a sucker for old Saturday Morning cartoons, but a new X-Men arcade machine is on the way that has me ridiculously excited for the revival. Better still, the retro cabinet also has one of my favorite Sega Saturn fighters built in, alongside a few other classics that pay a perfect homage to the comic book caper.

Clad in promotional X-Men ‘97 artwork, the latest modern cabinet by Arcade1up is available to pre-order now at Amazon for $499, but it's more than just a best retro console contender. In fact, just like the company’s other coin-ops creations, the setup looks pretty much identical to something you’d find in a ‘90s amusements. Pretty appropriate considering the new Disney+ show wants to drag your mind back to the glory days of watching a short hairy Wolverine call everyone ‘bub’ on a CRT, but it does take advantage of a few qualities we’ve come to appreciate in 2024.

X-Men Arcade1up machine | $499 at Amazon

X-Men Arcade1up machine | $499 at Amazon
Featuring eight built-in games, authentic arcade controls, and modern features like multiplayer support, this homage to coin-ops pays tribute to both the '90s TV show and the a legacy of fighting games.

Buy it if:
✅ You want an authentic arcade experience
✅ You love fighting games
✅ You're an X-Men fan

Don't buy it if:
❌ You've not got room at home
❌ You'd rather use an original console

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For starters, the X-Men ‘97 Arcade1Up cabinet pairs its light up marquee and two-player joystick setup with a 17-inch BOE display, and while it retains that 4:3 aspect ratio from back in the day, it should hold up against modern gaming monitors. Unlike most original machines, it also has eight different X-Men fighting games built in. Here’s the complete list:

X-Men '97 Arcade1Up machine games:

  • Marvel vs Capcom 2
  • Marvel vs Capcom 1
  • Marvel Super Heroes vs Street Fighter X
  • X-Men vs Street Fighter
  • Marvel Super Heroes X
  • X-Men Children of the ATOM X
  • X- Men Mutant Apocalypse
  • Marvel Superheroes in War of the Gems

I’m personally pretty hyped for X-Men vs Street Fighter, as it’s the reason I still have my Sega Saturn waiting in the wings for whenever I need to see Cyclops get a talking to from Cammy. However, having played all the fighters on this list, I can confirm that they all slap, and thanks to online multiplayer features, you can duel other players with the cabinet and climb your way up a leader board. Or, in my case, reveal just how much you suck at old 2D fighters.

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x-men arcade1up front view
(Image credit: Arcade1up)

Arcade1up says the X-Men ‘97 machine will be available April 25, meaning it should line up with the new show’s Disney+ release. As mentioned above, the setup is going to set you back $499, which is a pretty penny to pay for a nostalgia burst, but one that I’d argue is worth it if you’d rather have an arcade cabinet in your home where something adult and boring like a fireplace should be.

That said, if you’re not really into yellow spandex and ‘90s cartoon shenanigans, you could always grab one of the company’s other cabinets. I’ve included a few favorites that are currently available below, just in case you’re eager to get one in your game room ASAP.

Looking for something a bit more portable? Check out the best gaming handheld options for retro machines that will fit in your bag. Alternatively, swing by our best gaming laptop and gaming PC picks if you want a powerhouse rig.

Phil Hayton
Phil Hayton
Hardware Editor

I’ve been messing around with PCs, video game consoles, and tech since before I could speak. Don’t get me wrong, I kickstarted my relationship with technology by jamming a Hot Wheels double-decker bus into my parent’s VCR, but we all have to start somewhere. I even somehow managed to become a walking, talking buyer’s guide at my teenage supermarket job, which helped me accept my career fate. So, rather than try to realise my musician dreams, or see out my University degree, I started running my own retro pop culture site and writing about video games and tech for the likes of TechRadar, The Daily Star, and the BBC before eventually ending up with a job covering graphics card shenanigans at PCGamesN. Now, I’m your friendly neighbourhood Hardware Editor at GamesRadar, and it’s my job to make sure you can kick butt in all your favourite games using the best gaming hardware, whether you’re a sucker for handhelds like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch or a hardcore gaming PC enthusiast.

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