Mortal Kombat, NBA Jam, Rampage: Midway, king of the American arcade, left its mark on versus and arcade sports. RomWize re-ranks the publisher's best games by its re-evaluated scores, each with its current score, its versions, their rarity and their collector value.
"Epic Games' ambitious multiplayer FPS with fast-paced matches, numerous game modes and convincing AI bots for solo play. Somewhat dated today but an undeniable genre reference at the time of its release."
"An N64 take on the Midway arcade board. Futuristic powerboat racing on spectacular water courses, thirteen boats and twelve tracks loaded with shortcuts and boost. Not the prettiest version, but the arcade punch and immediacy make it a great vent for quick evenings."
"A futuristic Midway arcade kart with explosive speed and dizzying tracks. Instinctive controls, spectacular jumps and turbocharged multiplayer. Excellent pressure valve."
"A special edition of NFL Blitz with bonus content, hidden teams and beefed-up cheat codes. No revolution, but a love letter to anyone who wore out the original cart. The over-the-top arcade vibe still hits hard, especially in multiplayer, and the extras are real fun."
"MK franchise surprise: a side-scrolling beat'em up with Kung Lao and Liu Kang in the Mortal Kombat universe. The Streets of Rage approach in the MK universe with bloody combos is successful. An original and enjoyable title taking the franchise off the beaten path."
"A careful port of the cult cooperative action RPG cabinet. The brawling stays cathartic at four players, levels vary and bosses impress. A great local multiplayer time."
"An N64-exclusive Doom rebuilt on a new engine. The tone runs much more oppressive and atmospheric than the PC entries, the labyrinthine levels reward exploration and the dark palette pays off in full. A genuine reinterpretation, long underrated, that deserves every bit of its renewed attention."
"Mortal Kombat Trilogy is the ultimate compilation of Mortal Kombat's 2D era, gathering all characters from the first three entries. Impressive complete roster with Fatalities, Brutalities and Animalities. A must for classic MK fans seeking the most complete 2D experience on PS1."
"Midway arcade hoops, two-on-two, impossible dunks and a roaring atmosphere. NBA Hangtime is best savoured with friends in short sessions, where the shouted commentary and alley-oop chains carry the day. Solo is limited, but in party mode the formula stays a classic."
"First Midway Mortal Kombat in 3D, the formula reinvented after the 2D golden age. Solid roster, signature brutality intact and spectacular fatalities. Technical polish still wanting but it puts the franchise back on the rails. Pleasant without more."
"Rush 2, with Midway pushing extreme arcade racing even further. American circuits, colossal jumps, improbable shortcuts and secrets to flush out. The handling stays very forgiving, which is part of its party charm, and the generous content feeds long multiplayer evenings. A solid arcade vintage."
"Direct sequel to Deadly Alliance, denser and slyer. Surprising Konquest adventure mode, sharpened combat mechanics and a wider roster. Still not the 2D peak but clearly the strongest 3D MK formula of the time. For series fans."
"Midway arcade boxing with caricatured fighters and spectacular combos. Colourful pugilists, TV presentation and an energised rumble system that supercharges finishing flurries. It's exaggerated, it's flashy, that's exactly the desired effect. Perfectly orchestrated comic catharsis."
"Midway's arcade take on the NBA on NBC broadcast. Official branding, surreal dunks and turbocharged two-on-two action. NBA Showtime at full blast with full-tilt TV staging. Flashier than deep, but stunningly cathartic in multiplayer."
"The Dreamcast port of an enhanced Mortal Kombat 4, with brutal fights and bloody humor. Controls feel stiff, but the cast and content please diehard fans."
"The original NFL Blitz, Midway's arcade-style American football. Seven on seven, late hits past the whistle, superhuman jumps and a shrieking soundtrack. A joyful murder of simulation, perfect for evenings with friends and lethally effective for decompressing after a serious Madden."
"The original Rush, launching Midway's franchise at full tilt. San Francisco's steep streets lend themselves brilliantly to insane jumps and reckless shortcuts. Content is slim and the handling very forgiving, but the instant identity and urban presentation seduce from the first session."
"NFL Blitz 2000, the annual refresh of the unhinged arcade formula. Updated rosters, new moves and even more exuberant animations. The formula still works in party mode, and the new features keep the addiction lively for anyone who likes to let off steam in a group."
"Unreal Championship sequel with third-person characters and more varied combat. Addition of melee combat and hero characters. Enriched and more tactical gameplay. Less pure than the first as an arena shooter but more varied. Solid for franchise fans."
