Arcade Trivia

100+ Arcade Trivia Questions & Answers

Mike Oberman

Updated: October 17th, 2024

Test your knowledge with our Arcade Trivia! Explore classic arcade games through a variety of trivia questions covering iconic titles like Pac-Man and Space Invaders. Challenge yourself to provide the correct answer for each question and prove you're a true arcade enthusiast. Whether you're a casual player or a hardcore gamer, our trivia game offers fun and engaging answers for all arcade fans.

Arcade Games History Trivia

Question: What was the first commercially successful arcade game released in 1972?

Answer: Pong

Question: Which classic arcade game caused a coin shortage in Japan upon its release in 1978?

Answer: Space Invaders

Question: What arcade game was originally named "Puck-Man" before being renamed to avoid vandalism?

Answer: Pac-Man

Question: In what year was the original game Pac-Man released?

Answer: 1980

Question: Who achieved the highest recorded score in Pac-Man in 1999, setting a new standard for players?

Answer: Billy Mitchell

Question: Which arcade game marked the debut of Mario, who was initially known as Jumpman?

Answer: Donkey Kong

Question: What year was Donkey Kong, the game that launched the Mario franchise, released?

Answer: 1981

Question: What was the first fighting game released in 1984, laying the foundation for the genre?

Answer: Karate Champ

Question: Which video game series popularized the one-on-one fighting game genre in 1991?

Answer: Street Fighter II

Question: What was the first video game to feature a female protagonist, enhancing diversity in gaming?

Answer: Ms Pac-Man

Question: Who designed the classic arcade game Asteroids, a staple in arcade trivia quizzes?

Answer: Ed Logg

Question: In what year was Asteroids, the iconic space shooter, released?

Answer: 1979

Question: Which arcade game introduced the trackball controller, revolutionizing player interaction?

Answer: Centipede

Question: What video game was the first to feature parallax scrolling, adding depth to its graphics?

Answer: Moon Patrol

Question: Which arcade game is known for being one of the first to feature synthesized speech?

Answer: Berzerk

Question: What sequel to Galaxian is famous for its challenging gameplay and the "dual-ship" power-up?

Answer: Galaga

Question: Which infamous arcade game is often cited as one of the worst due to its rushed development and poor reception?

Answer: ET the Extra-Terrestrial

Question: What classic arcade game features a character named Qbert who jumps on cubes to change their colors?

Answer: Qbert

Question: Which arcade game involves players riding ostriches to defeat enemy knights in a platforming arena?

Answer: Joust

Question: What feature in arcade games allows players to pay to resume their game after losing, extending playtime?

Answer: Continue

Question: What does the term "coin-op" refer to in the context of arcade games?

Answer: Games that are activated by inserting coins into the machine

Question: Which arcade game featured simultaneous four-player gameplay, enhancing its popularity among groups?

Answer: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Question: What trivia challenge allows players to take control of giant monsters destroying buildings in various cities?

Answer: Rampage

Question: Which arcade game was one of the first multiplayer dungeon-crawling games, fostering cooperative play among players?

Answer: Gauntlet

Question: What arcade game featured various mini-games inspired by a movie of the same name, immersing players in its universe?

Answer: Tron

Specific Arcade Games Trivia

Question: Which arcade game was introduced by Atari in 1972 and became a cornerstone of video games?

Answer: Pong

Question: What classic arcade game was renamed from "Puck-Man" to prevent vandalism of the letter 'P'?

Answer: Pac-Man

Question: Which company developed Donkey Kong, the game that introduced Mario to the arcade world?

Answer: Nintendo

Question: What feature did Donkey Kong introduce to arcade games, adding a storytelling element between levels?

Answer: Cutscenes

Question: Which arcade game laid the foundation for the fighting game genre in 1984?

Answer: Karate Champ

Question: In what year was Street Fighter II, a pivotal title in the Mario franchise and video game series, released?

Answer: 1991

Question: Which arcade game is renowned for its "dual-ship" power-up feature, enhancing its challenging gameplay?

Answer: Galaga

Question: What video game is often considered one of the worst ever released for the Nintendo Entertainment System due to its poor quality?

Answer: ET the Extra-Terrestrial

Question: In Qbert, what action do players perform to change the colors of the cubes?

Answer: Jump on them

Question: What unique feature do players use in Joust to defeat enemies?

Answer: Ride ostriches

Question: Which arcade game allows players to take control of giant monsters destroying buildings?

Answer: Rampage

Question: What was one of the first multiplayer dungeon-crawling arcade games that encouraged teamwork?

Answer: Gauntlet

Question: Which arcade game was inspired by a movie and featured various mini-games based on its scenes?

Answer: Tron

Question: Which home console game was adapted from an arcade light gun game and became a classic on the Nintendo Entertainment System?

Answer: Duck Hunt

Question: What video game series introduced side-scrolling beat 'em up mechanics, allowing players to fight enemies while moving through levels?

Answer: Double Dragon

Question: Which arcade game included a moving cabinet that simulated driving, making it one of the first racing simulators?

Answer: OutRun

Question: What video game series offered fantasy-themed beat 'em up action with various characters?

Answer: Golden Axe

Question: Which video game series featured unique boxing gameplay with characters like Little Mac and opponents with distinct patterns?

Answer: Punch-Out!!

Question: When did Tetris make its arcade debut, becoming a worldwide sensation in the video games community?

Answer: Late 1980s

Question: What arcade game is known for its challenging difficulty and memorable side-scrolling shooter gameplay?

Answer: R-Type

Question: Which arcade game featured two dinosaur characters that trapped enemies in bubbles to defeat them?

Answer: Bubble Bobble

Question: In Dig Dug, how do players defeat enemies?

Answer: By inflating them until they burst

Question: Which two franchises inspired arcade games that allowed players to step into the shoes of their favorite characters?

Answer: Star Wars and Star Trek

Question: What arcade hit let players become reckless taxi drivers in a bustling cityscape?

Answer: Crazy Taxi

Question: Which arcade game introduced the concept of hiding behind cover and only shooting when exposed, adding strategic depth to gameplay?

Answer: Time Crisis

Arcade Game Technology and Features Trivia

Question: What controller did Centipede introduce to arcade games, allowing precise aiming and movement?

Answer: Trackball controller

Question: What graphical technique did Moon Patrol first feature, creating a sense of depth in its visuals?

Answer: Parallax scrolling

Question: Which arcade game featured synthesized speech in 1980, enhancing player immersion?

Answer: Berzerk

Question: What power-up feature is Galaga famous for, allowing players to control two ships simultaneously?

Answer: Dual-ship power-up

Question: Which arcade game was one of the first to use a joystick with a fire button, influencing future control schemes?

Answer: Missile

Question: What type of graphics did Tempest introduce, creating a visually distinct experience in arcade games?

Answer: Vector graphics

Question: Which arcade game featured a paddle to bounce a ball and destroy bricks, modernizing the classic breakout concept?

Answer: Arkanoid

Question: What type of shooter is House of the Dead known for, where players move through predetermined paths while shooting enemies?

Answer: Rail shooter

Question: Which arcade game used rear image projection to produce moving animations on a screen, enhancing visual effects?

Answer: Duck Hunt

Question: What input device did Centipede introduce that allowed players to aim and move with precision?

Answer: Trackball controller

Question: Which arcade game used a moving cabinet to simulate driving, providing a realistic racing experience?

Answer: OutRun

Question: What technology did Periscope use to simulate sinking ships in its arcade game environment?

Answer: Lights and plastic waves

Question: What feature did Double Dragon introduce to beat 'em up games, allowing players to move through levels while fighting?

Answer: Scrolling mechanics

Question: Which arcade machine incorporated computer printing technology to produce self-portrait photographs, blending arcade games with photo services?

Answer: Arcade photo booth by Taito

Question: What type of arcade game is Skee-Ball classified as, where players earn tickets for prizes based on their score?

Answer: Redemption game

Question: Which arcade game introduced the concept of missile-launching gameplay, allowing players to simulate submarine warfare?

Answer: Periscope

Question: What type of display does an arcade video game typically use to present the game to players?

Answer: Electronic display such as a monitor or television set

Question: What combination of technologies do electro-mechanical games use to create interactive arcade games?

Answer: Electronic circuitry and mechanical actions

Question: Which arcade game was one of the first to use a light gun, allowing players to aim and shoot at targets?

Answer: Periscope

Question: What feature did Spy Hunter include to add variety to its arcade game gameplay?

Answer: Transforming into a boat for aquatic segments

Question: What type of gameplay does Dance Dance Revolution require, merging rhythm and physical activity in arcade games?

Answer: Rhythm-based dance pad gameplay

Question: Which arcade game used a steering wheel to control a model car over a painted road, simulating driving?

Answer: Drive Mobile

Question: What input device did Centipede introduce that allowed players to aim and move with precision?

Answer: Trackball controller

Question: What type of graphics did Tempest use to create a visually distinct experience in arcade games?

Answer: Vector graphics

Question: What technological advancement allowed OutRun to simulate driving in its arcade game experience?

Answer: Moving cabinet

Miscellaneous Arcade Game Trivia

Question: What is the highest recorded score in Pac-Man, achieved by Billy Mitchell in 1999?

Answer: Over 3 million points

Question: What was Pac-Man originally called before its name was changed to prevent potential vandalism?

Answer: Puck-Man

Question: Which arcade game introduced Mario, who would go on to star in the expansive Mario franchise?

Answer: Donkey Kong

Question: What arcade game is known for featuring synthesized speech in 1980, enhancing the trivia game experience?

Answer: Berzerk

Question: Which arcade game was one of the first to use a joystick with a fire button, influencing future video games?

Answer: Missile

Question: What sequel to Galaxian is famous for its challenging gameplay and the "dual-ship" power-up?

Answer: Galaga

Question: Which video game is considered one of the worst ever released for the Nintendo Entertainment System due to its rushed development and poor reception?

Answer: ET the Extra-Terrestrial

Question: In Qbert, what do players do to change the colors of the cubes?

Answer: Jump on them

Question: What unique feature do players use in Joust to defeat enemies?

Answer: Ride ostriches

Question: Which arcade game allowed players to take control of giant monsters destroying buildings?

Answer: Rampage

Question: What was one of the first multiplayer dungeon-crawling arcade games, encouraging cooperative play?

Answer: Gauntlet

Question: Which arcade game was inspired by a movie of the same name and featured various mini-games?

Answer: Tron

Question: Which home console game was adapted from an arcade light gun game and became a classic on the Nintendo Entertainment System?

Answer: Duck Hunt

Question: What video game series introduced scrolling beat 'em up games, allowing players to fight enemies while moving through levels?

Answer: Double Dragon

Question: Which arcade game included a moving cabinet that simulated driving, making it one of the first racing simulators?

Answer: OutRun

Question: What video game series offered fantasy-themed beat 'em up action with various characters?

Answer: Golden Axe

Question: Which video game series featured unique boxing gameplay with characters like Little Mac and opponents with distinct patterns?

Answer: Punch-Out!!

Question: When did Tetris make its arcade debut, becoming a worldwide sensation in the video games community?

Answer: Late 1980s

Question: What arcade game is known for its challenging difficulty and memorable side-scrolling shooter gameplay?

Answer: R-Type

Question: Which arcade game featured two dinosaur characters that trapped enemies in bubbles to defeat them?

Answer: Bubble Bobble

Question: In Dig Dug, how do players defeat enemies?

Answer: By inflating them until they burst

Question: Which two franchises inspired arcade games that allowed players to step into the shoes of their favorite characters?

Answer: Star Wars and Star Trek

Question: What arcade hit let players become reckless taxi drivers in a bustling cityscape?

Answer: Crazy Taxi

Question: Which arcade game introduced the concept of hiding behind cover and only shooting when exposed, adding strategic depth to gameplay?

Answer: Time Crisis

Question: What type of gameplay does Dance Dance Revolution require, merging rhythm and physical activity in arcade games?

Answer: Rhythm-based dance pad gameplay