Vertical arcade games have made a strong comeback in recent years. These upright machines offer more than just nostalgic value. Their structure supports a different style of play, making them ideal for skill-based titles and mobile-to-arcade transitions. For platforms like ProSkillGames, vertical game cabinets allow developers and operators to reshape how games are displayed, played, and monetized.
This guide explains what vertical arcade games really offer, how they differ from horizontal cabinets, and what their future looks like in the evolving amusement industry.
How Do Vertical Game Cabinets Compare to Other Formats?
1.Slant Top Cabinets
Slant-top cabinets feature a screen that tilts upwards out of a low position. They are perfect to use in a loose play or game in which the player looks down a little bit. However, slant designs restrict immersion when it comes to action-oriented gameplay. The usual vertical depth people receive with upright screens is lost on players.
Vertical arcade games provide a better viewing angle and high contrast on-screen. They establish a first-time relationship between the movement of the hands and a reaction on the screen, which is perfectly suitable in games whose success depends on fast reactions.
2.Sit Down Cabinets
Sit-down cabinets are designed to be comfortable. The screen faces the players who sit on a low bench. They perform better in lounges or those arcades that are family-oriented and are more space-consuming. Moreover, sit-down installations do not lend themselves to vertical arcade games, which can only be played with an upright view.
Vertical game cabinets, on the contrary, are quite high and suit narrower areas. They support greater amounts of foot traffic and reduced distances between machines in setup, and this feature assists arcades in inserting more active units within each row.
3.Cocktail Style Cabinets
Cocktail machines are tabletop machines and typically glass-fronted. They are common in two-player alternating games, such as old retro games. Nevertheless, they are not appropriate in a rapid, one-player game or on large screens.
Domination here, as far as visibility and focus are concerned, is with vertical game cabinets. The standing position of the players and the front-facing view ensure that the eyes are focused on the game and enhance concentration.
Why Do Some Games Perform Better Vertically?
Certain genres of games simply suit a vertical screen. Vertical scrolling shooters, fruit catching games, and tower jumping games are examples. The part that is lost is when such games are played on horizontal screens. Players are seeing too much side space, which is empty and not enough of what is going to come next.
The upright design enables the players to anticipate events, which makes the experience more familiar. Vertical play is an advantage in skills-based games where the player is rewarded for reflex and timing. There is less panning and scrolling, which makes the gameplay faster, tighter, and more immersive.
One of the design trade-offs is that platforms such as ProSkillGames use this design advantage to release games that are easier to control, have fewer distractions, and thus have a greater replay value. When the visual and the gameplay align themselves on a vertical axis, one will find the interaction much smoother and more rewarding.
How Are Vertical Games Shaping Arcade Trends?
Games in the arcades today should be able to accommodate a variety of styles and players. Operators are moving on to a modular format that fits into a smaller space as compared to the wide cabinets of earlier times. Vertical arcade games assist with this. They are also taller, take up less floor space, and are fully functional in terms of gameplay.
With the popularity of mobile games taking personal entertainment by storm, arcades are converting. A lot of mobile games employ vertical screen presentation. This means that they can be transferred into vertical game cabinets with little or no modifications to the user interface and user controls.
ProSkillGames is already readying its library to meet such changes. Its game engine is vertically friendly, as it supports native resolution scaling, so no stretching or blurring occurs when scaling to portrait cabinets.
How Do Vertical Arcade Games Compare with Horizontal Ones?
The significant variation is in its layout and the involvement of the players. Horizontal cabinets work best when viewing the wide gameplay options, such as racing games or side-scrolling shooters. Vertical arcade games’ cabinets, however, are designed to support games that will have a vertical scroll, fast-tapping response games, and action games that have only a single lane.
Vertically, the cabinets are less space-consuming for an operator. You are then able to have more of those side-by-sides and still have walkways clear. Vertical arcade games are also considered more interesting to a player, particularly those who prefer a game based on quick reflexes, but over a long duration.
The transition between horizontal and vertical setups is also smooth with ProSkillGames’s boards, so you do not need to worry about whether to use horizontal or vertical game boards. There is no necessity for different hardware. That versatility is one of the reasons why vertical arcade games are gaining a lot of traction.
Are There Any Setup Challenges for Vertical Arcade Games?
Not really, especially if you’re using our systems. Most of the challenge lies in screen rotation and cabinet alignment. But with our hardware, vertical support is built-in. You only need to adjust screen orientation and game settings.
Unlike other providers, ProSkillGames doesn’t lock vertical arcade games behind special licensing or hardware. You get access to both formats from day one. That means if you want to test vertical titles in a few cabinets, you can do it without added cost.
In short, the barrier to entry is low. The upside? More ways to attract players with a unique layout.
Final Thoughts: Are Vertical Arcade Games Right for You?
If you’re running a small or mid-sized arcade and want high-performance titles without needing more space, vertical arcade games are ideal. They’re efficient, immersive, and player-friendly. Plus, they give your floor a modern look.
With ProSkillGames, you’re already ahead. You don’t need extra hardware, and you’re not limited to one format. Whether you want to test vertical titles or shift fully to upright layouts, the platform supports it all.
Vertical arcade games are not just a trend; they’re a practical, proven way to evolve your arcade.
