Arcade1UP

Arcade1UP is a series of arcade machines, originally launched in 2018 by Tastemakers. They are intended for home use, lacking coin slots, and are generally sold in retail stores or TV shopping networks. Many Pac-Man and Namco-themed Arcade1UPs have been released, with various different game lists and form factors.

Overview

Arcade1UP machines are often sold as buildable kits, requiring the user to assemble the machine before use. Traditional Arcade1UP cabinets are roughly the same dimensions as a real arcade machine, though may be shorter or thinner depending on the model. Each machine features built-in games from a variety of licenses. A large variety of different machine types have been produced: including standard arcade machines, video pinball machines, digital casino machines ("Casinocades"), and claw machines, among others.

The Arcade1UP line was initially conceived in or around 2017 by ThinkUp Inc., a New Jersey-based toy company. ThinkUp would grant the rights to the Arcade1UP concept to Scott Bachrach, the CEO of Tastemakers. ThinkUp would design the majority of Arcade1UP products up until 2023, being granted royalties per every machine produced/sold; while Tastemakers would handle game licensing and manufacturing contracts.^[1] The first Arcade1UP units would be released in the U.S. in late 2018.

Tastemakers is believed to have begun struggling financially around 2020; often relying on business loans and securing credit to stay afloat.^[2][3] Reportedly due to financial concerns, Bachrach would leave Tastemakers in 2023. Upon Bachrach stepping down, Tastemakers terminated their agreement with ThinkUp; going so far as to void their royalty contract.^[1] Arcade1UP's head of licensing, John D., would also be laid off by the company around this time period.

Arcade1UP would continue operation past the breaking of their ThinkUp contract, though would use different, largely unknown companies for commissioning machine designs. Post-2023 Arcade1UP machines are commonly criticized for "cutting corners" on various features, presumably to save costs; such as using inaccurate 16:9 monitors (rather than 4:3), and greatly slimming down the sizes of machines.

Games

The following Pac-Man or Namco-related games have been included across various Arcade1UP machines.

• Pac-Man (1980)
• Ms. Pac-Man (1982)
• Pac-Man Plus (1982)
• Super Pac-Man (1982) (Japanese version)
• Pac & Pal (1983)
• Pac-Land (1984) (North American version)
• Pac-Mania (1987)
• Galaxian (1979)
• King & Balloon (1980)
• Rally-X (1980)
• Bosconian (1981)
• Galaga (1981)
• New Rally-X (1981)
• Dig Dug (1982)
• Xevious (1982)
• Mappy (1983)
• Gaplus (1984)
• Grobda (1984)
• Super Xevious (1984)
• The Tower of Druaga (1984)
• Dragon Buster (1985)
• Dig Dug II (1985)
• Motos (1985)
• Hopping Mappy (1986)
• Rolling Thunder (1986)
• Dragon Spirit (1987)
• Galaga '88 (1987)
• Rompers (1989)

Additionally, most Arcade1UP models released from 2021 onward feature the "speed-up chip" versions of their respective games (accessible via the settings menu). Some Arcade1UP machines also feature Gorf (1981), but it is grouped in with the Midway/Williams license instead of with the Namco machines.

List of Namco machines

Standard

The standard models are the closest in form factor to an actual arcade machine. They are roughly three-fourths the height of an original machine, though additional "Risers" can be used to increase their height. Some models need to be assembled before use, while others are sold pre-built.

"Legacy Edition" series

The "Legacy Edition" series is a special line of Arcade1UP cabinets. While differentiated by "series", the difference between a regular and a "legacy" Arcade1UP is not very apparent; though in some cases, the legacy models feature more accurate designs and cabinet shapes to the standard ones.

"Deluxe" series

The "Deluxe" series is similar to the aforementioned Legacy line. The most notable difference seen in the Pac-Man "deluxe" machines is that the screen is properly slanted, in the same way as the original arcade machines; whereas previous models featured the screen completely upright.

"XL" series

The XL series is a line exclusive to Costco, featuring larger form factors that are closer to an actual arcade machine.

"Classic SE" series

The Classic SE series (possibly an abbreviation for "Classic Slim Edition") features heavily slimmed-down machine designs, lacking many enhancements seen in prior machine lines. Currently released machines feature a 16:9 monitor, running the games in a considerably smaller resolution than prior cabinets (both in screen size and due to the 4:3-cropped game display). Games which were originally in horizontal resolution, such as Pac-Land, are excluded from Classic SE cabinets; presumably due to the already-limited display.

Head-to-Head Tables

The Head-to-Head Tables base their form factor on "cocktail table" machine designs, with two sets of joysticks on opposite sides.

Counter-Cades

The Counter-Cades are countertop machines; somewhat similar to the 80s Coleco Tabletop series, though much bigger in size. They feature smaller screens than the other models due to their form factor, but still feature full-size joysticks and buttons.

Head-to-Head Counter-Cades

Effectively blending the two previous model types together, making a bartop machine with a cocktail table-like design.

Partycades

The Partycades are slim, medium-sized models. They come with various pieces of additional hardware: allowing the Partycade to either be displayed like a tabletop machine, hung on a wall, or hung over a door.

Other Arcade1UP Namco devices

Trivia

• Most of the Arcade1UP releases feature near-identical artwork to their Bally Midway machine counterparts; however, the Pac-Mania machine contains noticeable artwork differences from the original cabinet. It is possible that Arcade1UP could not secure the full American artwork rights for Pac-Mania, presumably as they went through Atari Games rather than Midway.
• In late 2024, an Arcade1UP Ms. Pac-Man/Galaga model was produced solely for in-store displays (i.e. not for retail sale). This model is effectively a "Deluxe" version with the bottom-half cut off, making it act as a large tabletop machine.
• Arcade1UP cabinets were distributed by Taito Corporation in Japan, acting as a sales agent for Tastemakers. Only the initial 2018 cabinets were officially released in Japan, including the first Pac-Man model.^[4]
• The Arcade1UP Counter-Cade series has had several considerable alterations over the series' run:
  • The original 2019 models were larger in size, and retailed for (approx.) $200 USD. These models were criticized for having a large screen bezel compared to the actual LCD screen.
  • Models released from 2020-2021 are considerably smaller in size, though still feature the same size screen and joystick; this was done (in part) as a faux-solution to the complaints of the screen bezel. These models retailed for around $100-150 depending on the vendor.
  • Models released from 2022-2023 feature more varied cabinet shapes, though are otherwise similar in dimensions to the 2020-21 models.
  • Models released in late 2024 are made even smaller than the previous downscaled variants. These models - despite the MSRP still being around $150 - feature a much smaller screen in the incorrect aspect ratio (16:9 instead of 4:3), with the bottom area merely displaying the selected game's logo rather than gameplay. They have the option to operate on batteries rather than wall power.
• The Arcade1UP Classic SE systems feature black, pixelated effects on the sides of the machines, extending to the bottom of the cabinet. It is theorized (albeit unconfirmed) that this effect was added to avoid using designs created by ThinkUp, presumably for legal reasons.
• The background image on some TV-based Arcade1UP systems appears to be a blurred screenshot of the fan-made Tandy Color Computer 3 port of Pac-Man, rather than the arcade version included on the consoles.
• Tastemakers was sued by Atari Interactive in March of 2024 (a former business partner and licensee), with Atari alleging that they had not been paid royalties for Arcade1UP products.^[5] The outcome of this lawsuit is unknown, and may still be ongoing.
  • Several of Atari's submitted filings reveal various Arcade1UP concepts that never came to fruition; including machines with built-in mini fridges (similar to Pac-Man's Pixel Bash and Pac-Man Red Bull cabinets), and an attempt to license the infamous Atari E.T. game for Arcade1UP products.^[5]
• Following the company layoff(s), John D. would form a competitor company to Arcade1UP known as Media1UP. Somewhat more akin to ThinkUp in operation, Media1UP is an entity that creates machine designs for other manufacturers, such as Unico and Iconic Arcade.
• Basic Fun, previously known for releasing a line of "Arcade Classics" handheld games, is planned to launch their own competitor line to Arcade1UP in 2025. Pac-Man is reportedly one of the licenses set to launch in this arcade line.

Gallery

References