As we look at the greatest zombie arcade games ever, grab your shotgun and aim for the head of the game!
The modern image of shambling hordes of the undead, who can only stopped by their heads being destroyed (usually explosively! ), is surprisingly enduring. It was popularized by George Romero in his ‘Dead’ trilogy of zombie movies. Which began with 1968’s Night of the Living Dead and ended with 1985’s Day of the Dead.
It turns out that zombies are the ideal antagonists for video games because of their insatiable need for flesh, remorseless. Mindless nature, and the fact that murdering them is basically ethically acceptable since they are already dead.
Zombies have the subject of countless arcade games (many of them are light gun shooting games! ). Since they are frightening, numerous, and exciting to battle.
But which are the best? As we examine the top zombie arcade games ever created, let’s find out!
10. CarnEvil (1998)
CarnEvil was a popular and enjoyable lightgun shooter that now mostly forgotten, maybe because it was never published on home consoles. And possibly because it was eclipsed by The House of the Dead 2, which came out in the same year.
CarnEvil’s cabinet includes chunky, vibrant pump-action firearms and is embellished with eye-catching artwork. The game contains twisted character design and an extremely disturbing funfair horror scenario (thus the pun in the game’s title).
The game makes a concerted effort to frighten players by including several zombies and other supernatural beings (and coulrophobes beware: demonic clowns do make an appearance!). It was unexpectedly gruesome as well, stirring up a lot of debate in its day.
Even if it’s not the most skilled shooter, this one merits a second chance and a spot in the list of the greatest zombie arcade games.
9. Beast Busters (1989)
SNK has a lengthy arcade history, but nowadays they are most known for their beautiful fighting games (just look at our list of the top Neo Geo games!). He produced a staggering number of excellent books in a wide variety of subjects. Lightgun shooter Beast Busters was one game SNK introduced to the arcades that wasn’t a fighting game.
The first-ever three-player lightgun game, Beast Busters featured wonderfully gory pixel art graphics as players battled hordes of bizarrely gun-wielding zombies and very strange bosses (a zombie punk who transforms into a dog, for example). All while playing as one of three hilariously named characters: Johnny Justice, Paul Patriot, or Sammy Stately.
In Beast Busters, the zombies often carry firearms, and they shoot back as well. Beast Busters is deliciously silly fun! It has a completely distinct vibe from typical zombie games, seeming like a cross between a fever dream and a B-movie.
8. The Typing of the Dead (1999)
The Typing of the Dead is a strange arcade game that replaces the lightguns from The House of the Dead 2 with…keyboards?
Yes, in this variation of Sega’s wildly successful House of the Dead series, players must respond to words that presented on-screen by typing them as soon as they can to kill the oncoming zombie hordes. It’s the type of idea that appears impossible to implement.
But it still does. Sega’s bizarre attempt is really a very enjoyable, entertaining, and engaging game to play; its Dreamcast version even made it to our list of the top Dreamcast games.
Furthermore, it may really increase your typing speed and accuracy. For a silly zombie game, not bad, huh?
7. Night Slashers (1993)
In Night Slashers, a scrolling beat ’em up, up to three players battle legions of the dead while kicking their butts back to hell!
Even if Night Slashers’ pixel graphics wasn’t as amazing when it first came out as some of its contemporaries, the wacky, monster-fighting fun was – and still is – a ton of fun. The premise, such as it is, involves a want tobe Dracula trying – create portals so that legions of the undead may invade the planet.
With cyborg-armed Jake White, fancy-dressed Christopher Smith, or female martial artist Zhao Hong Hua as playable characters. There are plenty of zombies to slap about. But this game has a lot more monsters than other games on the best zombie arcade games list.
Still, this underrated arcade game is certainly worth looking for since it has a narrative that is similar to the 80s classic film The Monster Squad and offers a wide variety of assaults to unleash on the undead.
Fortunately, doing so is now simpler than ever since it is a digital download for the Switch, PS4, and Xbox One.
Even better news is that Panzer Dragoon and The House of the Dead have just redone by Forever Entertainment. Who also seems to working on Night Slashers.
6. The House of the Dead 4 (2005)
Since the original House of the Dead light gun game appeared way back in 1996, Sega’s games have almost always available in arcades.
In the fourth game in the main series, players equipped with Uzi-style weapons that fire at a sufficiently high rate of speed for the frantic blasting of zombies.
Cheesy cutscenes and bad voice acting are prominent, much like in the previous games in the series. But this just adds to the enjoyment of the B-movie-styled action. Multiple endings and branching routes also increase replayability.
Not a horrible game by any means, but as we get to the top of the best zombie arcade games list. You’ll discover that the House of the Dead series has extremely high standards.
5. The Walking Dead (2017)
The Walking Dead, which based on the TV series and the same-named Image comic book. It is startling and horrifying even before you begin to play.
That’s because Raw Thrills, a company that specializes in arcade games, has a knack for creating visually appealing cabinets. The word “Dead Inside” written in blood on the false doors that the eerily lighted zombie is coming from. Along with a luminous zombie with LED eyes, it seems as if the device is begging you to play it!
The actual game is a lightgun shooter akin to House of the Dead. Except you play as Daryl in the TV show and use crossbows instead of weapons. The Walking Dead is nevertheless a fantastic experience in and of itself, and deserves a spot on the list of the greatest zombie arcade games. Even if it doesn’t quite reach the heights of other House of the Dead titles.
4. Zombie Revenge (1999)
Another House of the Dead spin-off, Zombie Revenge is a scrolling beat ’em up that is a ton of fun and has a ton of allusions to previous titles.
Similar to the House of the Dead video games, this one has a silly premise and bad voice acting. It has a comparable genuine B-movie, video-nasty appeal that is difficult to resist.
And who wouldn’t want to go about kicking and hitting zombies, let’s face it? There are several opportunities to accomplish precisely that in Zombie Revenge!
Want to fire at zombies or make other things into weapons? With a ton of weaponry to add to your arsenal, Zombie Revenge has you covered there too. One of our favorites is the cannon shot, a rocket launcher concealed within a guitar box.
3. The House of the Dead III (2002)
The House of the Dead III introduced large, pump-action shotguns to the House of the Dead and was the first game in the series to include branching stages. That allowed the player to pick their path through before confronting the quest. This game initially sported cel-shaded, comic book-like aesthetics. By the time the game launched, this aesthetic had modified back to a more realistic one.
Even if The House of the Dead III was a little disappointing after the second game, it’s still a ton of fun on its own. It has a lot of little details that help it stand out as a distinct installment in the series.
2. The House of the Dead (1996)
The first game in Sega’s long-running, immensely famous zombie lightgun shooter series still plays well today. Despite the graphics not having aged all that well.
The mix of campy, B-movie style horror (which didn’t skimp on the gore). And addicting shooting action was a great hit when it first launched, it was a complete revelation.
The House of the Dead not only served as the catalyst for the remainder of the franchise. But also for a number of spin-offs, a (bad and mainly unrelated) movie. And a recent HD remake for the PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One/Series consoles.
Not bad for a reasonably early 3D game that has around for more than 25 years! It had a significant influence and still highly appreciated today!
1.The House of the Dead 2 (1998)
The original game had great expectations for the sequel, yet twenty-four years later. The House of the Dead 2 is still the finest game in the franchise due to its overall success.
It’s also, in our view, the greatest zombie arcade game ever. The game plays well despite its ridiculous plot and laughably bad voice acting. As you’ve undoubtedly guessed if you’ve read this far down the list, those are very evident series hallmarks!.
The House of the Dead 2 has a fantastic music, a variety of creative bosses, a distinct Venetian atmosphere. And even branching pathways across its levels, offering quite a deal of replay value. At the time, this seemed rather refreshing in arcade games.
Given its age, it makes sense that it’s become more difficult to locate a House of the Dead 2 machine in an arcade these days. But the game has converted to a number of home consoles including the PC.
The last installment in the series to released on a Sega platform was the Dreamcast version. However The House of the Dead III’s Xbox port included the whole game as a bonus that could unlocked for free. In modern times, this would have surely paid DLC.
It was also included in the House of the Dead 2 & 3 Wii double release, which is now the most convenient, though not always the most affordable, method to get the game.
It’s still a ton of fun to play, and because it packed with the superb sequel, it’s definitely worth buying!
Are you interested in our opinions on the top arcade games like geometry dash in general, not just those with zombies? See our list of the top arcade games!
