Arcade Files

The arcade standard isn’t a single home machine, but custom coin-operated system boards built by manufacturers like Sega, Namco, and Capcom starting in the 1970s. Hardware evolved from single 8-bit CPUs (like the Zilog Z80) and discrete logic chips to powerful multi-processor boards with custom 2D sprite/tile generators, and later, advanced 3D GPUs. Standardized connection systems like JAMMA allowed operators to swap game PCBs into universal cabinets with arcade monitors running at low 15 kHz resolutions.