Two popular Arcade1Up Countercades are now available again on Amazon for $150. The Class of `81 Countercade, featuring Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga, returned to stock in late August at its original price, after being listed for $168 for several months. The Pac-Man Countercade, which had been unavailable since early April, was restocked in late September, also priced at $150.
Both miniature arcade cabinets come with three classic Namco games preloaded, feature 7-inch vertically oriented displays, and full-size arcade controls. These budget-friendly devices are anticipated to be popular during the upcoming holiday season, much like last year. Similarly, Arcade1Up`s new Classic Special Edition Arcade Cabinets, themed around Pac-Man, Ms. Pac-Man, and Mortal Kombat, offer a more affordable alternative to the premium Deluxe series.
Below, we will take a closer look at the Class of `81 and Pac-Man Countercades. We also provide an overview of all currently available Arcade1Up machines, including the previously mentioned Classic Special Editions, Deluxe Cabinets, Head-to-Head Tables, and more.
Arcade1Up Class of `81 Pac-Man & Galaga Countercade
The Class of `81 Countercade features a 7-inch vertical LCD screen, adorned with Ms. Pac-Man and Galaga artwork. Despite its compact size, this Countercade offers full-size arcade controls: a red ball-top joystick, two yellow buttons, one red button, and switches for power and volume. Its design incorporates Class of `81 series icons and logo art. The machine comes preloaded with three classic Namco games:
- Ms. Pac-Man
- Galaga
- Dig Dug
With dimensions of 8.7 x 9.4 x 13.11 inches and weighing only 6.3 pounds, it is easily placed on a desk or even your lap. It can be powered by the included Micro-USB cable or four AA batteries (not included).
Arcade1Up Pac-Man Countercade
Unlike the Class of `81 version, the Pac-Man Countercade has maintained its original MSRP of $150 since its last restock approximately a month ago. Launched last November, this cabinet shares the core design of the Class of `81 but features a classic Pac-Man theme and includes three games from the series:
- Pac-Man
- Super Pac-Man
- Pac-Mania
Alternative: Evercade Alpha Bartop Arcade
While Arcade1Up`s Countercades are solid devices, for those seeking the ultimate bartop arcade experience, the Evercade Alpha Bartop Arcade comes highly recommended. The Mega Man and Street Fighter editions are no longer available, but Blaze Entertainment is set to release an Evercade Alpha Taito Edition on November 12. Although considerably more expensive at $260, the Alpha is a superior quality machine, boasting 10 preloaded games and compatibility with the extensive Evercade cartridge library.
Arcade1Up Classic Special Edition Cabinets
The Classic Special Edition Cabinets harken back to Arcade1Up`s early models. These 4-foot tall machines, priced at $334, feature 15.6-inch displays and 13 preloaded games. Adult users may consider purchasing an adjustable barstool or the separately sold $59 riser. Even with the riser, the total cost is $393, making them $100-$200 more affordable than the Deluxe Editions. Available options include:
- Mortal Kombat II (13 Games) — $334
- Ms. Pac-Man (13 Games) — $334
- Pac-Man (13 Games) — $334
- Arcade1UP Riser — $59 (sold separately)
Arcade1Up Deluxe Arcade Cabinets
Arcade1Up`s Deluxe Cabinets do not require a riser, as they typically stand 61 inches (over 5 feet) tall. Upgraded features include 17-inch displays, light-up marquees, and decorative coin doors on the front. Deluxe Cabinets usually retail between $500 and $600. Currently, $500 cabinets like Golden Tee 3D, NBA Jam, and Class of `81 are available. The $600 models include those with light guns (Big Buck Hunter Pro, Terminator 2) or a racing wheel (The Fast & the Furious). Other notable options feature Pac-Man, Galaga, Mortal Kombat II, Wheel of Fortune Casinocade, and even a full-size Claw Machine.
Arcade1Up Ms. Pac-Man Head-to-Head Arcade Table
Arcade1Up recently introduced a new Ms. Pac-Man machine to its Head-to-Head Arcade Table line. This $600 table features a light-up control deck and joysticks/buttons on each side of the 17-inch LCD screen, designed for two-player gameplay. It comes with 12 games, including:
- Ms. Pac-Man
- Pac-Mania
- Dig Dug
- Galaga
- And many more classic hits.
Upcoming: Atari 2600+ Pac-Man Edition Console Bundle
For fans of Namco arcade classics, the upcoming Atari 2600+ Pac-Man Edition Console Bundle is also noteworthy. This special-edition system plays original Atari 2600 and 7800 cartridges, bundled with a yellow wireless joystick and the Pac-Man: Double Feature cartridge, which contains a newly developed and the original 2600 version of Pac-Man. Additional Ghost Gang-themed joysticks and three more Namco classics (including Galaga and Dig Dug) on cartridges are available for separate preorder. The Atari 2600+ Pac-Man Edition is scheduled for release on October 31.