Joseph works as an editor in one of the magazines dedicated to video games. Here, at RecRoomPick, he’s given the opportunity to enjoy the reverse of the medal – the no less engaging world of offline games.
Ryan knows everything when it comes to gaming, both online and offline. Since his early years he’s been in love with arcades, air hockey, and foosball. Finally, he’s given the opportunity to share his knowledge and opinion on the hobby of his life (and even get paid for it!).
Last updated: September 30, 2023
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Let’s face it; a lot of things have changed since we were children. While most of the changes that have occurred have been positive, there have been some not-so-positive changes as well. An example is the invention of digital games, which aren’t healthy for children as they don’t allow kids to expend their energy. Whether you like playing an electronic basketball game indoors or you just want your kids to burn a bit of that bottled-up energy, buying the best basketball arcade game can be a great solution.
Now, one thing is knowing that you need a basketball arcade game, but another thing is choosing the ideal one. That’s where we come into the picture. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the top six basketball arcade games, keeping some important factors in mind. First of all, we considered the number of game options each game offers, as games with numerous games give you a lot of options. Besides, we also considered the number of balls each game comes with, as having more basketballs facilitates multiplayer games. If you are looking for an indoor basketball hoop instead, we have reviewed them here
With that said, we’d like to assure you that we’ve put a lot of time into this research. In the end, we’ve been able to make this article as detailed as possible. Not only have we reviewed our selected products, but we have also garnished the reviews with things that would aid your decision making. Some of those things include a comparison table, a buying guide section, and answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
If you are looking for the ultimate basketball arcade game that guarantees to bring all the fun to your home, then you can’t just look beyond the Pop-A-Shot Home Dual Shot. The set features ten individual games and also six audio options to guarantee you keep playing it for several hours without getting tired or bored. Thus, this is the ideal game for you if you’re looking for something to keep you and your family together during the weekends and have endless fun.
Furthermore, this game is very durable and has a sturdy construction, thanks to its 1.5-inch steel tubes. Another excellent thing is that the tubes are powder-coated to guarantee that they don’t easily rust or chip. Besides, the thick nylon ramp increases the durability of the game and ensures that it doesn’t get damaged or torn easily when playing the regular arcade game. In terms of accuracy, this game doesn’t have any rival. With its built-in infrared sensors, this game guarantees you almost 100 percent accuracy.
Therefore, rest assured that about 99.9 percent of your shots are bound to enter the basket, thereby making you a better shooter. This may even come in handy if you play basketball professionally. The game also has multiple setting options, which allows you to change its height to fit your needs. In terms of shortcomings, we hardly found any. Probably the only one we could mention is that regardless of how skilled you are, installing this game is likely to take some time.
Lifetime has always been a company that is fully committed to manufacturing products that effectively combine affordability with high quality, and the company’s Double Shot Deluxe Indoor Basketball Hoop Arcade Game is a massive evidence. Featuring infrared scoring sensors that make it easy to know when you score a goal, this game is ideal for one or two individuals.
Other excellent features you will find are electronic buzzers and sound effects that produce an amazing arcade atmosphere, which is especially ideal for children. For convenient and safe storage, the game easily folds up, which is impressive. And since the height can be adjusted from 82 inches to 90 inches, you can adjust the game, based on the height of your kid. The package includes nearly everything you will need to start playing, which includes a pump, a needle, and four basketballs.
If you want fast and accurate scoring, this is the ideal product for you, thanks to its built-in optical sensors. In terms of durability, it has a durable construction as it is produced using high-quality nylon canvas with sturdy side netting. Plus, it is powered either by four AA batteries or normal AC outlet. However, this may not be suitable for taller persons as it’s quite too low.
Next, we have the E-Jet Basketball Arcade Game, which is excellent when you’re looking for a bit of fun with family and friends. However, before we get into that, we have first to commend the easy assembly and setup. You put a few screws in the right places once you receive the arcade game, and you should be done with assembly in a little under 10 minutes.
In addition to that, you can fold up the arcade game when it’s not in use, so it takes up less space. Notably, the construction of the game includes steel tubing, a large backboard, and 600D fabric that makes up the ramp. Also, despite the ramp being made of fabric, it ranks quite highly in durability.
Another positive is the inclusion of two high-quality 12” rims in this purchase. These rims will allow you to play all the 16-in-one game modes that come with the machine. Also, there is a bright LED scorer between the two rims to keep score of who is making the most baskets. Of course, a bit of competition will make the games you play more fun.
You also get four 7” basketballs to start playing as soon as you receive the product.
Durability and robustness are two words that best define this foldable frame. Without mincing words, the Giantex Foldable Basketball Arcade Game is designed to give its users maximum satisfaction and make their gameplay smooth and enjoyable with its rubber basketballs, blocking nets, and good quality MDF backboard.
Giantex comes at an affordable price, and it’s made with high-quality material. The powder-coated steel frame is an assurance of its reliability, and you can stay confident that it will last you for a long while.
More so, your playing experience is made seamless with this basketball arcade game, and you can enjoy faster and accurate scoring with the infrared sensor. This playing experience is further livened with the provision of a set of accessories, which include premium rubber basketballs, amidst others — all of which are made available to boost your gameplay.
While you’re enjoying your game with your friends or family members, you can easily see your scores on the digital dual-display, and the complementing double electronic hoops also help make the game more fun and stress-free.
All in all, the Giantex Foldable Basketball Arcade Game comes with an air pump, offers a stadium-like gaming experience with its buzzers and sound effects, delivers greatly on quality, and brims a thrilling and competitive atmosphere.
If you thought basketball arcade games were only for the rich, you are wrong, and the Nova Microdermabrasion Foldable Indoor Basketball Arcade Game offers a perfect example. Despite being a budget-friendly game, it would be a huge mistake to underrate it because of its low price. Equipped with four balls and offering eight game options, it is easy to see why we included this model. Plus that, it also comes with an electronic LED scoring board, which makes the product even more impressive.
Furthermore, the built-in electronic LED scoring board comes with a proprietary Infrared optical sensor scoring system that registers 99 percent of shots accurately. In addition to that, the unit comes with real arcade sound effects for a real stadium experience, which makes it all the more shocking that this incredible game costs what it costs despite all these features. Also, the game was built from two-inch powder-coated steel rims, which helps reduce rusting to guarantee years of use.
For additional durability and stability, the game comes with 3/8-inch MDF backboard and durable nylon ramp. The arcade also features a space-saving design, which allows it to fold away easily and fit in most trucks. You can even take it along when you’re going to parties with the aid of a portable carrying bag.
However, you still need to be ready for a few negatives, especially considering the price of this game. First of all, the net rips easily and often gets stuck on the sensor arm, which is an indication of a cheaply made product. Secondly, it is difficult to install as it doesn’t come with clear installation instructions.
You should know by now that Pop-A-Shot is a terrific manufacturer in the business of basketball arcade games and the Pop-A-Shot Home Single Shot further proves it. Complete with six individual game options, this arcade game is much more exciting than a single hoop. It’s built using 1.5-inch powder-coated steel tubes, which shows that it’s been engineered to last any kind of use. Its durability also makes it perfect for children, as everyone knows how they tend to be rough.
Furthermore, this game is extremely accurate, thanks to its built-in infrared sensors and scoring system, which make your game a lot more exciting. And since the unit can be either powered by batteries or AC, you can easily use it wherever you want. Plus, it comes with built-in wheels, making it a lot easier to use. When it comes to price, we must admit that this game is a bit costlier than its competitors, which may be down to the manufacturer’s solid reputation.
In terms of assembly, this game is very easy to set up. Apart from offering six different game options, it also comes with four balls, which gives you endless hours of fun. Speaking of fun, there is an audio jack, which makes it possible to listen to music while you battle it out with your friends. However, the unit does not stay collapsed very well when not playing, which may make storage or transportation a little hard.
What are our favorite features?
Durable construction
Can be either powered by batteries or AC
Comes with built-in infrared sensors and scoring system
Features an audio jack
Easy to assemble
What could be better?
Doesn’t stay collapsed very well
Quite expensive
Things to Consider
Buying a basketball arcade game takes more than just reading reviews, to be honest. There are lots of things you must know, which is why we’ve included a buying guide section. This guide contains all the enlightenment you may need during your shopping for the right basketball arcade game for your needs.
Who should buy?
The great thing about basketball arcade games is you are bound to find one option that will suit your needs. That is, there’s something for families, single players, kids, or whoever you are or whatever your inclination is. That is because the experience can be personalized on what fits your needs exactly. In addition, the basketball arcade game provides an excellent way of getting in a quick workout without needing to go out of your home.
Furthermore, you will see that these basketball arcades are cheaper than a lot of other types of at-home arcades. Normally, you can’t pay more than $300 no matter which game you choose, which is a lot lower than other at-home arcades like pool tables or air hockey. These products can go as high as $1000 sometimes. Thus, anyone looking for price-friendly arcade games surely needs to consider a basketball arcade game.
Features to consider while choosing a basketball arcade game
If you don’t want to end up buying a game you can’t play, then there are some factors you must keep in mind while doing your shopping. While we won’t include all those factors in this guide, we will include the most important ones. The most important factors to consider include:
Construction
Basketball arcade games usually experience more rough use than their other alternatives, even more than side-scrolling button-mashers. What this means is that if you want your arcade to last, you need to spend a little more upfront for premium-quality materials such as a thick backboard and powder-coated steel.
While opting for quick-connect plastic units can be tempting for quicker assembly, you will need to choose the heavier materials if you intend to put your game through its paces.
Game options
The number of game options available is another important factor you must consider before making that purchase. Basketball arcade games usually come with five to ten types of games with many audio options. Some of the most common game options you will find on these arcades include Checkpoint, horse, One-to-One, and more. Some arcades may even be smartphone-compatible for game selection, but you will have to pay more for these advanced models.
Number of baskets
While the majority of basketball arcade games usually come with two baskets, some come with one, some with three, and some may even include four baskets. While arcades with one basket are ideal for practice, the more the baskets, the more the fun is, in our opinion. Of course, this depends on how you will utilize the arcade and the number of players that are likely to be using it, but stern competition also increases the enjoyment.
How many balls are included
The number of balls that come with your game usually has a considerable impact on the amount of enjoyment you will derive from it. Apart from aiding multiplayer games, having more balls also makes rapid-fire quick-shooting games easier. Having said that, some models only come with two or four balls. This can be very annoying if one of the balls goes flat, especially if there is no pump around. For greater peace of mind, look for arcades that come with six to seven balls like the Pop-A-Shot Home Dual Shot.
Dimensions when folded and set
While most basketball arcade games usually fold up easily for simple storage, some models do not. Meanwhile, different models often consume dissimilar amounts of space when set. Before buying an arcade, find out the amount of game-playing space available in your house. Also, remember to consider if there is sufficient space for you and other people playing to stand and choose.
Extra features
Apart from the specifications we have mentioned, you may also need to consider some extra features. Some of those features include audio effects, scoring systems, and smartphone compatibility. Opt for models that come with real stadium-like audio effects, which gives you an immersive experience.
The electronic scoring system is the most accurate system of registering shots when playing basketball arcade games, as it guarantees accuracy of 99 percent.
While all basketball arcade games are not made to be the same, we don’t think any model can be compatible with a traditional basketball ball. Typically, these arcades are not designed to be compatible with the large balls usually used in real basketball games, so you need a special, slighter smaller one instead. They are usually included in the purchase.
Wrapping It Up
Coming from Pop-A-Shot, which is probably the most reputable company in the industry, it’s easy to see why the Pop-A-Shot Home Dual Shot is our Editor’s Pick. Not only does it offer the highest number of games on this list, but it also comes with the highest number of balls, which speaks volume about its versatility. With six audio options, there is just no dulling time with this basketball arcade, and it’s the best basketball arcade game on the market.