Many modern games emphasize playing with others, and that’s especially true for games designed around building friendships, as well as cooperative shooters and platformers. Surprisingly, despite how popular co-op games are now, a number of great co-op games from older generations have been forgotten. These games, originally found on home consoles or in arcades, either never became widely available or lost their accessibility over time.
It’s unfortunate to see these games fading away, especially since cooperative play is so popular right now. They have the potential to become popular again, or at least be remembered fondly. Reviving them would take effort – things like renewing character licenses and adding modern online features would be challenging – but it’s a better option than letting them be forgotten.
We’re concentrating on games that are hard to find and play, whether individually or as part of a bundle. While some of these classic arcade games have been made available again in physical cabinets, they aren’t easily accessible for casual purchase.
9. Bonanza Bros.
Was Available, Then Wasn’t
It’s often annoying when trying to play old games because whether you can actually play them depends on the decisions of the companies that own the rights. Take Bonanza Bros., a beloved co-op game for the Sega Genesis – it’s often mentioned with other Sega classics like Sonic and Alex Kidd. Unfortunately, if you want to play it now, you likely missed your chance, as it’s no longer readily available.
Bonanza Bros. is a cooperative stealth game where you and a friend play as the brothers of the title, pulling off robberies across the city. You’ll be hitting banks, casinos, and even mansions! While you’re stealing, you’ll need to avoid guards, but you can also work together to distract them, letting your partner sneak in and grab the loot.
I was super bummed when I found out Bonanza Bros. got pulled from the digital stores! I used to love playing it through the Sega Genesis Classics collection on my Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and even PC. But in 2024, they just took the whole collection down, so now it’s like the game vanished again. It’s really frustrating when that happens to a classic!
8. Ninja Baseball Bat Man
The Heroes We Need and Deserve
Arcades were hugely popular in Japan, even more so than in the United States, which meant they received a lot of unique and unusual games we never had here. One co-op arcade game I really enjoy, though I discovered it later on, is called Ninja Baseball Bat Man – and it has nothing to do with the superhero Batman.
Ninja Baseball Bat Man is a classic beat ‘em up where you play as one of four baseball-themed superheroes. They travel the world collecting powerful baseball relics. The game is wonderfully strange – almost all the enemies are bizarre baseball creatures! – but its dedication to being over-the-top makes it a lot of fun. It’s most enjoyable when played with a full team of four players, unleashing everyone’s unique and flashy special attacks.
The game was very popular in Japanese arcades, but it didn’t sell well at all in the United States, likely explaining why it hasn’t been re-released. While the original concept is owned by an American creator, the Japanese company Irem controls the rights to the game itself, meaning they’d need to collaborate for any potential revival.
7. Rampage World Tour
Crush the World Underfoot
There’s something incredibly fun about teaming up with friends and causing delightful chaos in a video game. It’s similar to the feeling of a rage room, but without the danger of broken glass. If you wanted that large-scale destructive experience with friends back in the 90s, Rampage World Tour was the go-to game.
Rampage World Tour is a fresh take on the classic arcade game. Up to three players take on the roles of enormous monsters and wreak havoc in cities around the globe. The goal is simple: destroy buildings, ‘eat’ people, and cause as much chaos as possible to earn the highest score. There’s even a bit of friendly competition, as you can hinder other players while trying to grab the most points.
Rampage World Tour first appeared in arcades and was later released on consoles like the N64, PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Game Boy. After that, it was only available as part of the Midway Arcade Treasures 2 collection for the PlayStation 2. Since the original game company, Midway, no longer exists, it’s currently unclear who owns the rights to Rampage, which needs to be figured out before the game can be re-released on other platforms.
6. Cadillacs and Dinosaurs
Admit it, the Title Made you Curious
The 1990s were a wild time for pop culture – a lot of strange and unexpected things were just thrown out there to see if they’d become popular. Take “Cadillacs and Dinosaurs,” for example. Seeing an ad for that show, you’d have no idea what it was about! It wasn’t a show about cars and fossils; it was actually a cartoon based on an old arcade game.
Cadillacs and Dinosaurs is a classic arcade fighting game released by Capcom in 1993. It was inspired by a comic book and even helped test ideas for a cartoon that came out later that year. The game lets up to three players drive around in a cool car, fighting off bad guys – and even huge dinosaurs – using hand-to-hand combat and the occasional gun. It’s a really fun game!
The arcade game Cadillacs and Dinosaurs never received a home console release, as plans to port it to the CPS system were cancelled. Capcom likely still owns the rights to the game, so there’s a chance it could be included in a future game compilation.
5. Alien vs. Predator
No Relation to the Movie
When you hear “Alien vs. Predator,” you likely picture the 2004 film. However, the rivalry between these two creatures actually started much earlier, as a separate series of stories and games beginning in 1989. That’s how Capcom created an arcade game featuring Alien and Predator in 1994 – ten years before the movie was even released!
In Alien vs. Predator, you can team up with up to two friends to play as either human cyborgs or Predators. Together, you’ll fight hordes of Xenomorphs. What sets this game apart from other action games is that every character has both hand-to-hand combat skills and unique ranged weapons – humans use guns, while Predators wield energy weapons. You’ll never run out of ammo, but reloading takes a moment, so staying mobile is key to avoiding getting overwhelmed.
The original Alien vs. Predator arcade game was a hit, but it hasn’t been released on its own since—it was only available as part of a now-discontinued Capcom Home Arcade bundle. With Aliens and Predators appearing in games like Mortal Kombat and Dead by Daylight, there’s hope Capcom might consider releasing it again in the future.
4. The Simpsons
A Blast Despite Itself
Generally, a good game based on existing material—like a movie or TV show—should closely resemble that source. Unfortunately, many licensed games fail to do this, which is why they often receive negative reviews. But games like The Simpsons prove there’s an exception: a game can stray so far from the original that it surprisingly becomes fantastic.
The Simpsons is a classic beat ‘em up game where up to four players can play as the Simpson family. They’re on a bizarre mission to save Maggie after Mr. Smithers unexpectedly kidnaps her. The game takes you on a wild adventure through Springfield and beyond, where you’ll fight tons of enemies – from guys in suits to zombies and even imaginary creatures!
The Simpsons game was briefly available on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in 2012, but it was removed from their stores after about a year – not that you could still buy it on those consoles today. Getting it running on modern systems would be a huge legal and technical challenge, particularly now that Disney owns the franchise.
3. CarnEvil
The Best Game to Ever Traumatize Me
Light gun rail-shooter games, a popular arcade genre, haven’t transitioned well to today’s gaming systems. The special light gun controllers needed to play them aren’t commonly used anymore, limiting options to platforms like the Switch 2 or PC. Among all the great games in this style, I think CarnEvil deserves more recognition.
CarnEvil lives up to its name – it’s a truly twisted carnival experience. This light gun shooter lets you blast through creepy carnival attractions like haunted houses, freak shows, and rollercoasters, all filled with demons and the undead. It’s delightfully over-the-top with its violence, making it especially fun to play with a friend.
Subscribe to the newsletter: revive forgotten co-op classics
I have a complicated relationship with this game. I didn’t dislike it, but I encountered it at the arcade when I was very young, and it really stuck with me. After that, whenever I saw it again, I’d always try to get a friend to play with me, almost as if I was trying to ‘beat’ it. So, strangely enough, I think I’m a fan after all.
2. Gauntlet Legends
Like D&D Without the Pencils
Gauntlet is a highly regarded game from the golden age of arcades. This fantasy adventure combined fast-paced action with the character development you’d find in tabletop role-playing games. The original Gauntlet is a true classic, and its 3D follow-up, Gauntlet Legends, is also a lot of fun.
Gauntlet Legends lets up to four players team up as colorful fantasy warriors, battling their way through 3D dungeons. You’ll fight enemies by swinging swords and casting spells. Unlike the original Gauntlet, this version lets you level up your character, improving stats like strength, speed, and defense. Even in the arcade, you could save your progress with a password, letting you continue your adventure right where you stopped.
Atari originally created and released Gauntlet Legends, but Warner Bros. Games published the latest installment in 2014, making them the most likely source for information about it.
1. Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder
The Phantom Sequel
| Developer | Sega |
|---|---|
| Platforms | Arcade |
| Release Date | July 1992 |
Okay, so when people talk about classic games, Golden Axe always comes up – it’s seriously one of the best side-scrolling beat ’em ups, especially if you’re playing with a friend. The original is pretty easy to get into, but the sequel, Golden Axe: The Revenge of Death Adder, is a bit tougher. Just to be clear, it’s not the same as Golden Axe II, which only came out on the Genesis.
This game, originally found in arcades, is very similar to the first one: team up with friends, choose a fantasy warrior, and fight your way across the land to defeat the evil Death Adder. The fighting and magic are largely the same, but a new feature lets you choose different paths through the game. These paths determine which levels you play, and depending on the arcade machine, you might skip some levels or have to revisit them later.
The game was a big hit when it came out in 1992, but it’s remained largely unavailable outside of arcades. This is probably because Sega chose to release a different game on the Genesis console. While a few home arcade machines have been made with it, those are the only other ways to play.
Read More
- Solo Leveling’s New Manhwa Chapter Revives a Forgotten LGBTQ Story After 2 Years
- Gold Rate Forecast
- All Itzaland Animal Locations in Infinity Nikki
- The Boys Season 5 Spoilers: Every Major Character Death If the Show Follows the Comics
- How to Get to the Undercoast in Esoteric Ebb
- Focker-In-Law Trailer Revives Meet the Parents Series After 16 Years
- CBR’s Official Spring 2026 Anime Series Power Ranking (Week 1)
- Silver Rate Forecast
- Woman fined $2k over viral googly eyes graffiti on $100k statue
- ‘The Pitt’ Season 3 Is Repeating Season 2’s Biggest Time Jump Mistake
2026-04-16 22:42