Arcade1Up Mortal Kombat II Deluxe Arcade Machine

The Verdict

Let’s get one thing straight: the Arcade1Up Mortal Kombat II Deluxe isn’t just another nostalgia box. At 4.6 stars across 229 Amazon ratings, it’s the closest most of us will get to the actual 1993 arcade cabinet without dropping five figures on a refurbished original. But “close” isn’t “identical” — and the differences matter.

Here’s what you’re actually buying.

What’s in the box

The Deluxe ships as a flat-pack kit. You get the 17-inch LCD screen pre-mounted in the cabinet, the control deck with six buttons per player, a light-up marquee, a riser base, and a stool. Assembly tools are included, but you’ll want your own screwdriver — the included one is flimsy. The cabinet stands 4 feet tall with the riser, which puts the controls at a comfortable height for adults standing or kids on the included stool.

The screen is the headline upgrade here. The earlier countercade versions used 8-inch displays that made Liu Kang look like a pixelated blur. This 17-inch panel is a genuine improvement — sprites are sharp, colors pop, and the “TOASTY!” hidden messages are actually readable mid-fight.

Performance and real-world use

You’re getting two games: Mortal Kombat II and the original Mortal Kombat. Both run on Arcade1Up’s emulation board, and they run well. Input lag is minimal — I could pull off Scorpion’s spear and Sub-Zero’s ice freeze consistently within an hour of setup. The joysticks use microswitches that click like the originals, and the six-button layout per player matches the arcade deck exactly.

One thing that surprised me: the volume. It’s loud. The 3-watt speaker setup fills a living room, and the digitized voice clips (“FIGHT!”) hit with real authority. There’s a volume knob on the control deck, but no headphone jack — so late-night sessions are out unless you keep it low.

What buyers consistently praise

The Amazon reviews echo what I found. One buyer put it plainly: “This is the cabinet I dreamed of as a kid. The screen is huge compared to the countercades, and the light-up marquee makes it look like a real arcade machine in my basement.” Another noted the build quality: “Surprisingly sturdy once assembled. The riser makes a huge difference — my back doesn’t hurt after playing for an hour.”

The included riser gets mentioned repeatedly as a value-add. Previous Arcade1Up models charged extra for the riser as a separate accessory. Here, it’s in the box.

Where it falls short

Be honest about the limitations before you buy.

First, there’s no online multiplayer or leaderboards. This is a purely offline experience. For a machine in this price range, that’s a real miss — you can’t challenge friends remotely, and there’s no way to track high scores against anyone but yourself.

Second, the viewing angle is narrow. If you’re standing more than 15 degrees off-center, the screen washes out. It’s fine for one or two players standing directly in front, but a group of four watching from the couch will see a dimmer, less vibrant picture.

Third, assembly is a project. Plan for 60-90 minutes. The instructions have a few steps that require some interpretation, particularly around wiring the marquee light. It’s not difficult, but it’s not a 10-minute setup either.

Who should buy this

This is for the 30-50 year old who grew up in arcades and wants a genuine, furniture-grade piece for a game room or basement. If you’re a competitive fighting game player expecting tournament-grade precision or online play, this isn’t it — get a fight stick and a PC. If you just want “two games on a screen,” the cheaper countercade versions exist. The Deluxe is for someone who wants the full cabinet experience without the full cabinet price.

It’s also a solid gift for a Mortal Kombat superfan. The light-up marquee alone is worth the premium over the non-Deluxe version.

FAQ

Is the screen really 17 inches? Yes, measured diagonally. It’s a 4:3 LCD panel, which is correct for the original arcade resolution. Don’t expect widescreen — this is authentic to the source.

Can I add more games to it? No. The system is locked to MK II and MK I. There’s no USB port or SD card slot for adding ROMs. Arcade1Up sells multi-game cabinets if that’s what you need.

Does it require a subscription or internet connection? No. It’s fully offline. Plug it in, turn it on, play. That’s a plus for privacy and simplicity, though it also means no updates or online features.

The Verdict

The Arcade1Up Mortal Kombat II Deluxe earns its 4.6 stars. It’s the best home version of MK II currently on the market — the larger screen, included riser, and authentic controls justify the price premium over smaller alternatives. The lack of online features and the assembly time are real drawbacks, but they don’t undermine what this machine does well: bringing a genuine arcade experience into your home.

Buy it if you want a real arcade cabinet, not a toy, and you’re willing to spend an hour building it.

Skip it if you need online multiplayer, want a plug-and-play setup, or have limited floor space — this thing is 4 feet tall and requires a dedicated corner.

If you grew up pumping quarters into that MK II machine at the local pizzeria, this gets you 90% of the way there. The last 10% is the smell of stale pizza and the sound of other kids’ quarters hitting the coin slot.

Where to Buy

👉 Check Price on Amazon →

We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — this helps fund more honest reviews.

Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.