9 Best Arcade Horror Games, Ranked

Arcade games can be stressful. Watching the timer tick away in the top corner as players shoot their way, or fight their way through levels, can create an exhilarating sense of excitement. This excitement is often heightened even further by playing some classic arcade horror games, which heightens the thrill exponentially.

From co-op light gun shooters, to gruesome brawlers, these horror games can create the ultimate arcade experience. Spanning across decades, arcade horror game releases aren’t slowing down, and remain ever popular. From vampires and ghouls to zombies and goblins, arcade horror games put players’ worst nightmares up against their patience and reaction skills. Players know they’re always in for a fun time with these titles.

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9 Evil Night

Gamefaqs User Score: 2.5/5

Released in 1998 in arcade cabinets around the world, Evil Night is a great light gun shooter that will put players’ reaction skills to the test. This is an incredibly graphic title, featuring dismemberment and a lot of blood, but it’s an innovative shooter that fully leans into its horror roots.

Players will go up against chainsaw-wielding zombies and some cheesy-looking skeletons as they explore a variety of levels in a haunted mansion and attempt to complete the game. It’s quite difficult, but its legacy should be noted for its gruesome approach to the arcade experience and its destructible objects.

8 Zombie Revenge

Gamefaqs User Score: 3/5

Originally intending to release with a House of the Dead tagline, Zombie Revenge is a spinoff from the popular arcade franchise. However, instead of becoming another generic light gun shooter, Zombie Revenge is a great 3D beat ’em up game that feels like all the good parts of the original Resident Evil mashed into an arcade format.

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The story is ridiculously convoluted, but it’s the gameplay that excels here. Players will fight their way through hordes of zombies with a variety of weapons, often interacting with the surrounding environments. The boss fights are great, and the general level designs are also awesome.

7 Vampire Night

Vampire Night Gamefaqs User Score: 3/5

At the time of release in 2001, Vampire Night received mostly positive, but slightly mixed reviews. However, looking back on it today in comparison to newer arcade experience, Vampire Night is actually pretty great. It’s got one of the best settings in any arcade horror title and includes an interesting variety of enemies.

The gunplay itself is fun, albeit a little difficult to master. However, it’s the story that really shines here, especially for an arcade game. It’s a simple setup – two vampire hunters enter a castle to take out all threats – but the way it plays out feels like an arcade version of Devil May Cry. It’s just a super fun, horror arcade experience, and gamers can even get it on their PS2.

6 CarnEvil

Gamefaqs User Score: 3.5/5

CarnEvil is an arcade light gun shooter which consists of four action-packed levels. Released in 1998, gamers all around the world were put off by the game’s creepy atmosphere containing a number of psycho clowns and haunted amusement parks. It dives into a niche but prominent fear and is definitely one to avoid if players have a phobia of clowns!

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However, for those looking to jump into a creepy, horror-filled, light gun experience, CarnEvil won’t let players down. The arcade cabinet featured a pump-action shotgun for gamers to arm themselves with, and its incredibly satisfying shooting down the various ghouls and enemies. Just be warned that it might put some players off visiting an amusement park anytime soon!

5 Dark Escape 4D

Gamefaqs User Score: 3.5/5

The best thing about Dark Escape 4D is its entire arcade cabinet. When it was released to arcades in 2012, Dark Escape 4D went above and beyond expectations to immerse gamers. This is an arcade experience that included 3D glasses, a surround sound system, seat vibrations and even air fans, which created the ultimate, most realistic jump scare experiences.

It all ties in to create a genuinely terrifying arcade horror game. The beginning of the game feels like a setup from a Saw movie, and the environments feel extremely unsettling. It’s not often that jump scares are effective, but this is an arcade game that pulls them off like no other.

4 Splatterhouse

Gamefaqs User Score: 3.5/5

Splatterhouse is an arcade beat ’em up, sidescroller which released in 1988. Players assume control of a machete-wielding lunatic wearing a hockey-mask. It garnered a lot of controversy when it was released both in arcades and on home consoles due to its violent nature and satanic themes.

However, Splatterhouse includes one of the most satisfying approaches to 2D arcade gameplay ever, as every swing of the weapon in-game feels heavy and feels like it has a real impact. The graphics were great for its time, and it still holds up well today, creating an effectively spooky arcade atmosphere.

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3 Night Slashers

Gamefaqs User Score: 3.5/5

Night Slashers is like a cult-classic horror film in arcade video game format. It’s a classic side-scrolling, beat ’em up adventure but with added horror elements that all merge into a super fun experience. The combat is entertaining, to say the least, and players can literally punch hordes of zombies to death.

It’s got some memorable music, which pairs well with its scenic environments and action-based gameplay. It feels like a 1980s, cheesy B-movie horror experience and it’s well worth playing.

2 The House Of The Dead 2

Gamefaqs User Score: 3.5/5

Of course, the best arcade horror games fall under the House of the Dead franchise, but it’s The House of the Dead 2 that takes the cake for the best entry in the franchise. A huge improvement from the original, The House of the Dead 2 is one of the best light gun games ever made. It’s visually great, the gunplay is solid, and it’s the perfect length and level of difficulty.

Released in 1998, The House of the Dead 2 is set in Italy and continues the story of AMS Agents from the original game, who are attempting to stop the spread of a zombie infection. If gamers have to pick one arcade horror game to play, then this should be the one. Sure, it’s quite camp and goofy at times, but what arcade game isn’t?

1 Ghouls ‘n Ghosts

Gamefaqs User Score: 4/5

Ghouls ‘n Ghosts is a 1990 arcade horror title that built on the success of its predecessor, Ghosts ‘n Goblins, to create one of the best side-scrolling arcade games ever made. The visuals were incredible for a 1990 arcade title, and the gameplay was solid and surprisingly deep.

Developed by Capcom, Ghouls ‘n Ghosts also featured a great soundtrack, which perfectly resembled the games’ haunting atmosphere. Throughout the short game, players play as Sir Arthur, traversing a haunted village and taking out any enemies along the way. Throwing spears at some ghouls has never been more fun.

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