With the exception of Timezone, legit arcades are almost extinct now.

Gone are the days hanging out in dingy Funland with your PE T-shirt inside out and challenging that rich ah beng who didn't know when to cut his losses.

We can only reminisce the good old days.

1. Virtual Striker

Still remember what's the cheat code to play with big-headed players or play as SEGA FC?

2. King of Fighters

This joystick-smasher of a game also made every ah beng lust for a real life Mai Shiranui.

3. Marvel vs Capcom

Another joy-stick smasher, this was a dream come true for geeks as they could see favourites from Marvel like Captain America and Wolverine against CAPCOM's Ryu and Chun Li.

4. Daytona

We started drifting way before the Fast and Furious series. Probably the coolest driving stimulator game where you could pick up stick driving (without the clutch) and shift from fourth gear to first then to third and back to fourth in seconds.

5. Bishi Bashi

Finally a game that even the fairer sex loved to play. Although the games were pretty lame, it gave couples plenty of quality time in the arcade while waiting for the movie to start.

Remember this?

Or this?

6. Boxing game

This game could swing both ways: Ego booster or deal breaker.

7. Time Crisis

Which was a test of our psychomotor skills.

8. Point Blank / Gun Bullet

Essentially a Bishi Bashi. With guns.

9. Puzzle Fighter

Before crushing candies, we were smashing gems on the Puzzle Fighter.

10. 1942

The ultimate test of your spatial awareness. Also destroyer of eyesight and bringer of myopia.

11. Metal Slug

Think Contra but laced with tons of missiles.

12. Dance Dance Revolution

Imagine dancing like this at Zouk.

13. Para Para Paradise

Soon, the motion sensors came along. And the otaku image was complete.

14. Virtual Fighter

Unrealistic gameplay? Bring it.

Top photo from Flickr.