The retro revival machine keeps rolling, and this time it’s hitting a truly massive milestone. Arcade Archives has officially crossed 500 releases, making it one of the most consistent and long-running classic arcade preservation efforts in modern gaming . To celebrate the moment, publisher Hamster has marked the occasion with a commemorative Arcade Archives Celebrates 500 Releases with Special Space Invaders Game release that feels perfectly symbolic: Space Invaders. For anyone who grew up around arcade history—or even just understands how much modern gaming owes to the arcade era—this is a fitting way to celebrate. Space Invaders isn’t just another classic. It’s one of the most influential arcade games ever made, and its return as the 500th title gives the milestone a sense of legacy, not just volume.
A Huge Moment for Retro Preservation Reaching 500 releases isn’t just a “nice number.” It represents years of consistent work, licensing, emulation, testing, and packaging these classics in a way that works across modern platforms. Arcade Archives has earned a reputation for delivering arcade titles in a standardized, accessible format—while still respecting the original feel. The series began back on May 15, 2014, meaning it’s been running for 11 years and 8 months to reach this point. That kind of longevity is rare in the world of digital game preservation, especially for classic arcade content where rights, hardware, and documentation can be complicated. The series is also no longer limited to a single platform.
In addition to its presence on Switch, Arcade Archives has expanded more recently to Switch 2 and PlayStation 5, giving more players access to these classics in a modern, convenient way. Why Space Invaders Is the Perfect 500th Game Choosing Space Invaders (1978) as the commemorative milestone release is a statement. This game helped define what arcade gaming looked like during its rise, and it became a cultural phenomenon far beyond the arcade floor. It’s often credited as one of the titles that helped ignite global interest in video games at scale. So, rather than picking a deep cut to surprise collectors, Arcade Archives went with a game that represents the foundation of arcade history. It’s the kind of milestone pick that makes sense even for casual players who might not have followed all 500 releases. Price and What You’re Getting The commemorative Space Invaders release is available now and is priced at $7.99 (or the regional equivalent).
That price point is consistent with many Arcade Archives releases, and it’s clearly positioned as a premium “single-arcade-title” product rather than a cheap bundle. In terms of content, this isn’t a barebones “here’s the ROM” drop. The Arcade Archives version includes: Both black-and-white and color versions of Space Invaders Audio reproduction designed to match the original arcade presentation as closely as possible Arcade Archives’ familiar settings suite, which typically lets players adjust difficulty and replay conditions Support for global competition through online high score leaderboards In other words, it’s designed to feel like a modern museum-quality release—playable instantly, but also flexible enough for players who enjoy tweaking the arcade setup or chasing scores competitively. More Than Nostalgia:
Why Arcade Archives Still Matters Some people see retro re-releases as simple nostalgia plays, but Arcade Archives has quietly become something more important: a living, expanding archive. Lots of arcade games never received proper home ports. Some exist in limited collections. Others are trapped behind older hardware or questionable emulation releases.Arcade Archives gives these games a reliable place to exist—legally and cleanly—on modern systems. That matters to preservation, but it also matters to players who want to experience the roots of gaming without hunting down vintage cabinets or complicated setups.The consistent format also helps. Whether you’re buying a legendary title or a lesser-known oddity, you generally know what you’re getting: faithful emulation, classic presentation options, and score tracking that gives old games modern replay value.What This Milestone Could Mean NextHitting 500 releases naturally raises the question: what’s next? With a catalog this large, fans often hope for more bundles, themed collections, or publisher packs that make it easier to jump into multiple titles at once.
Others simply want the series to keep doing what it’s done best—rescuing arcade history one release at a time. Either way, reaching 500 is proof that the demand is still there. Retro games aren’t going away. If anything, they’re becoming more valuable as the industry grows and older hardware becomes harder to access. Final Thoughts Arcade Archives reaching 500 retro releases is a rare kind of achievement—one built on consistency, preservation, and long-term community interest. Celebrating the milestone with Space Invaders is not only appropriate, it’s iconic. Whether you’re a hardcore arcade history fan, a score-chasing competitor, or someone curious about where gaming truly began, this commemorative release is a strong reminder of why classics still matter. And if the last 500 releases are any indication, Arcade Archives isn’t slowing down anytime soon.