5 Arcade Games That Never Got the Home Ports They Deserved

The arcade scene of the 80s and 90s was overflowing with incredible experiences. Some made their way to home consoles with varying degrees of success, while others never quite got the treatment they deserved. Whether it was hardware limitations, licensing issues, or just bad timing, these games never got a proper home port, leaving them stranded in the arcade cabinets where they began.

Sega’s Scud Race (1996)

Also known as Super GT in the US, Sega’s Scud Race was one of the most visually impressive racers of the mid-90s. Running on the Model 3 board, it delivered smooth 3D visuals and high-speed gameplay that stunned players. Despite its popularity, Sega never ported it to the Saturn or Dreamcast, and today it remains one of the most requested unreleased home conversions.

Capcom’s Alien vs. Predator (1994)

Capcom’s beat-’em-up legacy is legendary, and Alien vs. Predator might be one of the best examples. With three playable characters, fluid animation, and brutal co-op action, it was a dream game for fans of both genres. Sadly, licensing issues meant it never got an official home release, though it’s still praised as one of Capcom’s finest arcade brawlers.

Namco’s Prop Cycle (1996)

Namco experimented with some wild arcade ideas, and Prop Cycle was among the most memorable. Players pedaled a stationary bike to control their on-screen flying machine, creating a unique blend of exercise and fun. The experience couldn’t translate to home consoles without losing its identity, and as a result it never made the leap.

Konami’s X-Men Arcade (1992)

Konami was the king of licensed beat-’em-ups, and their 6-player X-Men cabinet was a sight to behold. The game offered nonstop mutant mayhem, but when it came to home systems of the era, no console could handle the massive sprite work and simultaneous player count. Aside from a short-lived digital release decades later, this classic never saw the proper home version it deserved.

Capcom’s Cadillacs and Dinosaurs (1993)

Based on the Xenozoic Tales comic series, Capcom’s Cadillacs and Dinosaurs delivered one of the most unique beat-’em-up experiences of the early 90s. Combining fast-paced brawling with vehicles and dinosaurs, it stood out even among Capcom’s stacked arcade lineup. Licensing problems kept it from ever reaching home consoles, and it remains one of the most requested unreleased ports in Capcom’s history.

From Arcades to Home Today

Back when these games were released, players had no way of truly experiencing them outside the arcade. Today, thanks to FPGA projects like MiSTer and the wide availability of modern emulators, many of these classics can finally be enjoyed at home in ways that were once impossible. We may not have gotten the home ports we wanted back then, but we’re lucky that decades later, these arcade gems are no longer out of reach.

Which arcade game do you wish had received a proper home port? Share your pick in the comments below, we’d love to hear your favorites.