Arcade system board

An arcade system board is a dedicated computer system created for the purpose of running video arcade games. Arcade system boards typically consist of a main system board with any number of supporting boards.

Design

The earliest non-microprocessor based arcade system boards were designed around codeless state machine computers with the main board and any support boards consisting of discrete logic circuits comprising each element of the game itself. The next generation of arcade system boards, with the inclusion of microprocessor based technology, incorporated the game program code directly on the main system board via game code stored in ROM chips mounted on the main board.

Later arcade system boards, including the DECO Cassette System, SNK's Neo-Geo, Capcom's CPS-2, and Sega's NAOMI, separated the system board from the game program itself, akin to a home video game console and cartridge/CD/DVD/Hard Disk. This method benefitted both manufacturers and arcade game owners. Once the system board was purchased, the owner could switch out the games at a fraction of the price and with less effort, and the manufacturers could produce fewer of the costly system boards and more of the less-costly games.

Currently, the company with the record of the highest number of original arcade system boards is Sega.

List of arcade system boards

Atari

• PONG (1972-1976)
• Atari 6800 Based (1976-1979)
• Atari 6502 Black & White Raster (1976-1980)
• Atari 6502 Color Raster (1977-1989)
• Atari 6502 Vector (1979-1980)
• Atari Centipede Hardware (1980-1983)
• Atari Cyberball Hardware (1989)
• Atari Gauntlet Hardware (1985-1988)
• Atari Hard Drivin' Hardware (1988-1993)
• Atari Missile Command Hardware (1980-1983)
• Atari Kangaroo (1982-1983)
• Atari Star Wars Vector (1983-1985)
• Atari System 1 (1984-1987)
• Atari System 2 (1984-1988)
• Atari 68000 Based (1982-1992)
• Atari DUAL 68000 Based (1989-1990)
• Atari G1 (1990)
• Atari G42 (1991-1992)
• Atari Arcade Classics Hardware (1992)
• Atari GX2 (1992)
• Atari GT (1994)
• Atari Cojag (1994-1996)
• Atari Playstation (1996)
• Atari Phoenix (1996)
• Atari Flagstaff (1996-1997)
• Atari Seattle (1997-1998)
• Atari Media GX (1998)
• Atari Vegas (1998-1999)
• Atari Denver (1999-2003)

Bally

• Bally Sente Sac 1 (1984-1987)
• Bally Sente Sac 2 (1987)

BrezzaSoft

• Crystal System (2001–2003)

Capcom

• Capcom Commando Hardware (1985-1988)
• Capcom Section Z Hardware (1985-1987)
• CP System (1988–1995)
• CP System II (1993–2003)
• CP System III (1996–1999)
• Capcom PC Based (2013–)

Cave

• Cave 1st Generation (1994–2001)
• Cave CV1000B (2004–2007)
• Cave CV1000D (2008–2012)
• Cave PC Based (2009)

CD Express

• Cubo CD32 (1995-1999)

Data East

• DECO Cassette System (1980–1985)
• DECO Laserdiscs (1983-1985)
• DECO 8-bit (1986-1988)
• DECO 16-bit (1987-1990)
• DECO 32-bit (1991-1995)
• DECO Simple 156 (1993–1996)
• DECO MLC System (1995–1996)

Eolith

• Eolith System (1998–2001)
• Eolith 16-bit (1999)
• Eolith Vegas (2002)
• Eolith Ghost (2003–2005)

Examu

• eX-BOARD (2008-2010)

Fuuki

• FG-2 (1995–1996)
• FG-3 (1998–2000)

Gaelco

• Gaelco GAE1 (1994)
• Gaelco GAE2
• Gaelco GG-1v (1998)
• Gaelco 3D (1996–1998)
• Gaelco PowerVR Based (1999-2002)
• Gaelco PC Based (2003–2005)

ICE

• VP101 (2002-2004)

International Games System

• PolyGame Master (1997–2005)
• PolyGame Master 2 (2007–2011)
• PolyGame Master 3 (2012)
• IGS PC Based (2004–)

Incredible Technologies

• Incredible Technologies 8-bit Hardware (1988-1992)
• Incredible Technologies 32-bit Hardware (1992-2002)
• Incredible Technologies Eagle Hardware (1999-2005)
• Incredible Technologies PC Based Hardware (2005-)

Interpark

• NEXUS 3D (2006-2007)

Irem

• Irem M-10/M-15 (1979-1980)
• Irem M-27 (1980-1981)
• Irem M-52 (1982-1983)
• Irem M-62 (1984-1986)
• Irem M-63 (1984-1985)
• Irem M-72 (1987-1990)
• Irem M-73 (1991)
• Irem M-75 (1988)
• Irem M-77 (1988)
• Irem M-81 (1989-1990)
• Irem M-82 (1989-1990)
• Irem M-84 (1989-1991)
• Irem M-85 (1990)
• Irem M-90 (1991)
• Irem M-92 (1991-1994)
• Irem M-97 (1992-1993)
• Irem M-107 (1993-1995)

Jaleco

• Mega System 1 (1988-1993)
• Mega System 32 (1993–1997)
• Jaleco Tetris Plus 2 (1997-2000)

Kaneko

• Kaneko 16-bit (1991-1995)
• Super Kaneko Nova System (1996–2002)

Konami

Konami Dual 68000 Based Hardware (1986-1988) Konami Blades Of Steel Based Hardware (1986-1987) Konami Xexex Based Hardware (1990-1994) Konami Chequered Flag Based Hardware (1987-1992) Konami Twin 16 (1987-1989) Bubble System (1985) Konami GX400 (1985-1987) Mystic Warriors Based Hardware (1993) Konami GX (1994–1997) Konami GQ (1995) Konami ZR-107 (1995–1996) Konami Baby Phoenix / GV System (1996–2000) Konami GTI Club (1996–1997) Konami M2 (1997–1998) Konami Cobra System (1997) Bemani DJ-Main (1997–2002) Konami Hornet (1998–2000) Konami NWK-TR (1998–1999)

Konami System 573 (1998–2003) Bemani System 573 Analog (1998–1999) Bemani System 573 Digital (1999–2004) Konami TMNT Based Hardware (1988-1991) Konami TMNT 2 Based Hardware (1990-1993) Konami X-Men Based Hardware (1991-1992) Bemani Twinkle (1999–2002) Bemani Firebeat (2000–2003) Bemani GSAN1 (2000) Konami Viper (2000–2005) Konami Pyson (2001–2005) Konami Bemani Viper (2003–2006) Konami Bemani PC Based (2003–) Konami PC Based (2004–) Konami Bemani PlayStation 2 Based (2005–2007)

Limenko

• Power System 2 (2000–2003)

Metro

• Metro System (1992-2000)

MicroProse

• MicroProse 3D Hardware (1990-1993)

Midway

Astrocade (1982-1985) MCR (1981) MCR II (1981-1984) MCR III (1983-1985) MCR-68K (1984-1990) Y-Unit (1991-1992) T-Unit (1992-1994)

Wolf Unit (1994-1997) X-Unit (1994) V-Unit (1994-1997) Killer Instinct Hardware (1994-1995) Midway Seattle (1997-1999) Zeus (1997-1999) Midway Vegas (1998-2000)

Zeus II (1999-2000) Quicksilver II (1999-2000) Atlantis (2000) Graphite (2001-2002)

Mitchell

• Mitchell System (1988-1991)

Namco

Namco Galaxian (1979-1982) Namco Pac-Man (1980-1983) Namco Galaga (1981-1984) Namco Pole Position (1982-1983) Namco Super Pac-Man (1982-1985) Namco Phozon (1983-1984) Namco Libble Rabble (1983-1986) Namco Pac-Land (1984-1985) Namco System 86 (1986-1987) Namco System 1 (1987-1991) Namco System 2 (1987-1993) Namco System 21 (1988-1993) Namco NA-1 (1992-1995) Namco NB-1 (1993-1997) Namco System FL (1993-1995) Namco System 22 (1993–1995) Namco System 11 (1994–1999)

Namco System Super 22 (1995–1997) Namco ND-1 (1995-1996) Namco System 12 (1997–2001) Namco Gorgon / System 22.5 (1997) Namco System 23 (1997–1999) Namco System Super 23 (1998–1999) Namco System Super 23 GMEN (1998–1999) Namco System Super 23 Evolution 2 (1999) Namco System 10 (2000–2005) Namco System 246 (2000–2008) Namco System 256 (2004–2010) Triforce (2005–2007) Namco System N2 (2005–2010) Namco System Super 256 (2006) Namco System 357 (2007–) Namco System ES1 (2009–2014) Namco System 369 (2011–2012)

Namco System 147 (2011) Namco System ES2 Plus (2012) Namco System ES3 (2013–)

Nintendo

• Nintendo Classic (1981)
• VS. UniSystem and VS. DualSystem (1985-1987)
• PlayChoice-10 (1986-1991)
• Super System (1992-1993)
• Triforce (2002-2007)
• Unnamed Wii-based arcade board (2008)

Psikyo

• Psikyo 1st Generation (1993–1996)
• Psikyo SH-2 (1997–2002)

RCI

• NEO STANDARD (2011)

Sammy

• SSV (Sammy, Seta, Visco) (1993–2001)
• Sammy Medal Game System (1999–2004)
• Atomiswave (2003–2009)

Sega

Main article: List of Sega arcade system boards

Sega G80 (1981) Sega System 1 (1983–1987) Sega System 2 (1985–1988) Sega System E (1985–1988) Sega System 16 (1985–1994) Sega Space Harrier Hardware (1985–1992) Sega Out Run Hardware (1986–1991) Sega X Board (1987–1990) Sega Y Board (1988–1991) Sega System 18 (1989–1992) Sega System 24 (1988–1994) Sega Mega-Tech (1988–1992) Sega System C2 (1989–1995) Sega System 32 (1990–1995) Sega System Multi 32 (1992–1994)

Sega Model 1 (1992–1994) Sega Mega-Play (1993) Sega Model 2 (1993–1994) Sega Model 2A-CRX (1994–1998) Sega Model 2B-CRX (1994–1998) Sega ST-V (1995–2000) Sega System H1 (1995–1996) WhiteStar (1995–2004) Sega Model 2C-CRX (1996–1998) Sega Model 3 Step 1.0 (1996–1997) Sega Model 3 Step 1.5 (1996–1998) Sega Model 3 Step 2.0 (1997–1998) Sega Model 3 Step 2.1 (1998–1999) Sega NAOMI (1998–2009) Sega Hikaru (1999–2002)

Sega NAOMI 2 (2001–2006) Triforce (2002–2006) Sega Chihiro (2002–2008) Sega System SP (2004–2009) Sega Lindbergh (2005–2015) Sega Europa-R (2008–2011) Sega RingWide (2009–2012) Sega RingEdge (2009–) Sega RingEdge2 (2011–) Sega Nu (2013–)

Seibu

• Seibu SPI System (1995–1999)

SI Electronics

• System Board Y2 (2009–2011)

Seta

• Seta 1st Generation (1987–1996)
• Seta 2nd Generation (1993–2002)
• Seta Aleck64 (1998–2004)

Skonec

• SkoPro (2008)

SNK

• SNK Rockola Hardware (1980-1982)
• SNK Marvin's Maze Hardware (1983-1984)
• SNK Main Event Hardware (1984-1985)
• SNK Hall 21 Based (1985)
• SNK Triple Z80 Based (1985-1988)
• SNK Ikari Warriors Hardware (1986-1988)
• SNK Psycho Soldier Hardware (1986-1988)
• SNK Alpha 68K Based Hardware (1987-1989)
• SNK 68K Based Hardware (1988-1989)
• SNK Beast Busters Hardware (1989)
• Neo Geo MVS (1990–2004)
• Hyper Neo Geo 64 (1997–1999)

Sony

• ZN-1 (1995–2000)
• ZN-2 (1997–1999)

Taito

Taito 8080 Based (1977-1982) Taito SJ System (1982) Taito Nunchacken Hardware (1985) Taito Super Qix Hardware (1986-1987) Taito N.Y Captor Hardware (1986) Taito Kick and Run Hardware (1986) Taito Bubble Bobble Hardware (1986) Taito X System (1988-1992) Taito Ninja Warriors Hardware (1987-1989) Taito Darius 2 Twin Screen Hardware (1989-1991) Taito Toaplan Hardware (1987-1989) Taito The Newzealand Story Hardware (1987-1989) Taito AIR System (1988-1990) Taito Top Speed Hardware (1987-1990) Taito Bonze Adventure Hardware (1988-1994)

Taito Z System (1987-1991) Taito H System (1988-1989) Taito B System (1988-1994) Taito L System (1988-1993) Taito F1 System (1989-1992) Taito F2 System (1988-1993) Taito F3 System (1992–1998) Taito FX-1A System (1995–1997) Taito JC System (1995–1998) Taito FX-1B System (1996–1997) Taito Wolf System (1997) Taito PPC JC System (1998) Taito G-NET (1998–2005) Taito Type-Zero (1999–2002) Type X (2004–2010)

Type X+ (2005–2007) Type X2 (2007–) Type X Zero (2011–) Type X3 (2012–)

Tecmo

• TPS System (1997–2001)

Terminal

• TIA-MC-1

Williams

• Williams 6809 REV.1 (1980-1985)
• Williams 6809 REV.2 (1983-1986)
• Williams Z-Unit (1988)
• Williams/Midway Y UNIT (1990-1992)

See also

• JAMMA
• Arcade cabinet

References

This video game–related list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.