What is Internet Arcade?
The Internet Arcade is a library of coin-operated arcade games kept by the Internet Archive, the non-profit behind the Wayback Machine. It is curated by archivist Jason Scott and holds well over 2,000 items, from early black and white games to later titles with digitised voices and music.
Each game runs inside the web page through JSMAME, a browser version of the MAME arcade emulator. You open a game, insert a virtual coin with a key press and play with your keyboard or a gamepad. It is meant for both nostalgia and research, so you can compare how arcade games changed over three decades.
Main Features
- Over 2,000 arcade games and related items
- Games from the 1970s through the 1990s
- Runs in the browser with MAME emulation
- Keyboard and gamepad support
- Search and browse by title, year or popularity
- Run by the non-profit Internet Archive
How to Get Started with Internet Arcade
- Open archive.org/details/internetarcade and browse or search for a game.
- Open a game page and click the play button on the screen.
- Press the coin key (often 5) to insert credit and the start key (often 1) to begin.
- Use the arrow keys and Ctrl or Alt as buttons, or check the game page for its controls.
Internet Arcade Pricing
The Internet Arcade is free, with no ads and no account needed to play. The Internet Archive is funded by donations.
Who Should Use It?
- Retro gaming fans
- People who grew up in arcades
- Game history researchers and students
- Anyone curious about very early video games
- Players who want old games without installing an emulator
Internet Arcade Alternatives
- RetroGames: classic console games in the browser
- Retro Games: old-school games to play online
- Windows 93: a playful retro desktop full of toys
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Internet Arcade free?
Yes. All games in the collection are free to play in the browser with no account.
How do I insert a coin?
Most games use the 5 key to add a credit and the 1 key to start. Some games list other controls on their page.
Why does a game run slowly or have no sound?
Some arcade machines are hard to emulate in a browser. The collection notes that a fast desktop browser works best, and some titles are kept mainly for reference.