Classic 2D arcade platformers, brawlers and beat ’em ups can have amazing background art — with pixel perfect details and a wonderful colour palette. Unlike the similarly awesome 2D fighter backgrounds, people don’t pay as much attention to these.
Looking through 2D arcade game backgrounds, it’s funny to see how the artists were so into dodgy city districts that are so characteristic to the 90s. But for me, the best part is finding the small details — whether it’s an easter egg or a hidden tiny item.
Metal Slug 2
Metal Slug 4
Metal Slug 5
Silent Dragon
Bad Dudes vs. DragonNinja
Undercover Cops
Captain America and the Avengers
X-Men (arcade)
Final Fight
Final Fight 2 (with an accidental Chun Li cameo)
Double Dragon 2
Double Dragon 3
Ninja Gaiden (arcade)
King of Dragons
Knights of the Round
Crime Fighters
The Punisher
TMNT IV: Turtles In Time
Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon
Pictures: VGMaps, VGMuseum, BGHQ, ScrollBoss
Comments
5 responses to “The Best 2D Arcade Game Backgrounds”
Some of these are truly awesome, brings back some great memories too :o)
If you we’re to expand the scope beyond arcade games, you would have to do an entire feature in the “Bitmap Brothers” they are the kings of the 8 bit era hands down :o)
I agree with you 100%, one of my favourite games of all time is Xenon 2!
Metal Slug. So awesome.
Arcade?
Missed that bit…
Street Fighter III?
What are these? Backgrounds for ants?