3 Arcade1Up Countercade: Editions and Compact Controls in 2026

An Arcade1Up Countercade is a small cabinet built to sit on a table or counter. The current range is split by game list. This guide covers the three current 7-inch editions: PAC-MAN, NBA JAM and Mortal Kombat II. Each one lists three games on its maker page.

These are not the old 8-inch Countercades, so older specs do not carry over. The first choice is the game list. The harder choices are how many people can play and how the unit gets power. Size and weight come next, and the maker pages give both.

This guide compares documented specifications from the maker pages and the exact catalog listings. It is not based on hands-on use.

#1. Arcade1Up Pac-Man Countercade

Arcade1Up Pac-Man Countercade Arcade1Up Pac-Man Countercade

Our verdict:

Maze classics fans

Choose this if you want a library of three related maze games on a small surface and you will confirm the control layout first.

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• Maker lists a 7-inch screen
• Three built-in maze games
• Built-in carry handle

Keep in mind: A small countertop format; check power accessories for the exact order.

Verdict: This is the pick for a solo player who likes maze games. The maker lists PAC-MAN and SUPER PAC-MAN, plus PAC-MANIA, on its PAC-MAN Countercade 7 page. That is three related games, not three genres. If you like one of them, the others may suit you too, but that is a taste call.

Decision facts:

• Library: PAC-MAN; SUPER PAC-MAN; PAC-MANIA
• Size: 8.70 x 9.40 x 13.11 inches (L x W x H) and 6.30 pounds
• Screen and sound: 7-inch LCD with dual speakers
• Extras: light-up marquee and a built-in handle
• Power: 4 AA batteries or micro-USB, with the batteries not included

Trade-off: The listing uses the plural for joysticks and buttons. That does not prove two player stations. Count the sticks in the maker's control panel photos before you promise anyone a head-to-head game.

Skip it if: You want variety. All three games come from one series, so the range of play styles is narrow. It is also the lightest of the three, which helps only if you plan to move it often.

#2. Arcade1Up NBA JAM Countercade

Arcade1Up NBA JAM Countercade Arcade1Up NBA JAM Countercade

Our verdict:

Basketball arcade fans

Choose this if you want the NBA JAM line-up and want the most power and audio options listed in the catalogue.

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• Maker lists a 7-inch screen
• NBA JAM, Tournament Edition and NBA Hang Time
• Light-up marquee

Keep in mind: Do not infer two full control stations from game player support.

Verdict: This is the pick for a basketball fan who wants depth in one sport. The NBA JAM Countercade page lists NBA JAM and NBA JAM Tournament Edition, plus NBA Hang Time. Note the maker's wording: the third title is NBA Hang Time, not NBA JAM Hang Time. All three come from one game family, so expect some overlap.

Decision facts:

• Library: NBA JAM; NBA JAM Tournament Edition; NBA Hang Time
• Size: 9.45 x 8.74 x 13.19 inches (L x W x H) and 6.75 pounds
• Screen and sound: 7-inch color LCD with licensed graphics and speakers that have adjustable volume
• Extras: light-up marquee
• Power: 4 AA batteries or micro-USB, with the batteries not included

Trade-off: These games had multiplayer in their history. That does not make this cabinet a simultaneous two-player unit. The listing says full-size, real-feel joysticks and buttons, which is not a player count. Verify the physical player controls in the maker photos before you treat it as a head-to-head cabinet.

Skip it if: You need a firm two-player layout and cannot confirm one. At 6.75 pounds it is also the heaviest of the three, though the gap to the others is under half a pound.

#3. Arcade1Up Mortal Kombat II Countercade

Arcade1Up Mortal Kombat II Countercade Arcade1Up Mortal Kombat II Countercade

Our verdict:

Fighting game fans

Choose this if you want three Mortal Kombat arcade titles and will mostly play alone or take turns.

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• Maker lists a 7-inch screen
• Three Mortal Kombat titles
• Compact countertop format

Keep in mind: Confirm the physical controls and power accessories for the exact edition.

Verdict: This is the pick for a solo fighting-game fan who wants quick rounds on a counter. The Mortal Kombat II Countercade page lists Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat II, plus UMK3. That is a focused run of one fighting series. It suits a buyer who already knows which of those games they want.

Decision facts:

• Library: Mortal Kombat; Mortal Kombat II; UMK3
• Size: 8.74 x 9.45 x 13.19 inches (L x W x H) and 6.6 pounds
• Screen: 7-inch full-color LCD
• Extras: top-mounted carry handle; listed as arriving fully assembled
• Power: 4 AA batteries or a micro-USB cable, with the batteries not included

Trade-off: The listing says a full-size, real-feel joystick, in the singular, plus buttons. That points to solo or turn-taking play. Fighting games lean on buttons, so look at the control panel photo for the button layout before you order.

Skip it if: You want a second player standing beside you with a separate stick. Nothing on the listing wording suggests that layout.

Identify the 7-inch edition

Three exact editions are current, and each maker page identifies a 7-inch model with three games. They are not the old 8-inch Countercades. An older review or listing says little about these units. If a page does not say 7-inch, treat it as a different product.

A name is not enough to identify a cabinet. Each edition has its own game list, its own dimensions and its own power wording. Copy the full product name from the page you buy from. Then match it to the maker page for that edition, and keep the listing code too.

Watch for software listings as well. A console game with a similar title is not a physical cabinet. Make sure the page shows a standing cabinet with a screen and controls, because only that matches the units covered here.

Dimensions are written length x width x height, the order the maker pages use.

Compare controls and game libraries

All three editions list a 7-inch screen. The catalog wording for it, such as crisp or full-color, is marketing language. It says nothing about brightness or sharpness. So do not choose between editions on screen quality.

Choose on the game list and the controls.

Libraries are where the editions split. Each set stays inside one franchise, so you are buying a theme as much as a cabinet. If the theme does not excite you, no other spec will rescue the choice. Judge each edition on its three listed games and plan around that.

A short list suits a guest who wants a quick round. It also suits a collector who loves one series. It does not suit a household that wants a different game each night. That is the main reason to pick the theme first and the details second.

Controls need the closest look. The table shows the wording on each listing and what the photos should confirm.

Plural wording is a prompt to look, not a promise. A listing can use plural nouns for a single control panel. The maker photo is the best evidence you can get before purchase.

Check player limits and counter fit

Player limits are the biggest trap in this range. A game that offered multiplayer in its original form does not give this cabinet a control set for each person. That matters most for NBA JAM, since sports games sell on head-to-head play. It matters just as much for the other two.

Take NBA JAM as the clearest case. The game list sounds like a party cabinet. The listing's plural joysticks and buttons do not settle it. Only the panel photo does.

The test is physical. Count the joysticks and button groups in the maker photos. Look for two clear player areas, each with its own stick and buttons. If you see one area, plan for solo play or taking turns.

Counter fit is a separate check. The maker pages give the footprint, so use their figures. The table repeats them with the axis order the maker uses.

Every footprint figure falls between 8.7 and 9.5 inches, so the three cabinets need about the same floor area. Heights run from 13.11 to 13.19 inches. Weights run from 6.30 to 6.75 pounds.

The NBA JAM and Mortal Kombat II pages list the same two footprint figures in opposite order. On paper the two sizes match. These are maker dimensions, not a mounting or shelf load approval. Leave extra room at the front and sides for your hands and for a cable if you use one.

Surface support and seated viewing

Pick a flat, stable surface that you already trust with a small appliance. At 6.75 pounds or less, these are light cabinets. Even so, the maker figures do not approve any shelf or mount. Keep the cabinet away from edges, and keep drinks away from the controls.

A carry handle helps you move the unit. It does not tell you whether a surface is safe. If a surface is thin or unsupported, choose another spot.

Viewing height matters when you sit. A cabinet about 13 inches tall puts the screen low, so a low table can make you lean over. Set a box of similar height on your surface and sit at it for a minute. The Mortal Kombat II listing says the viewing angle suits a table or bar top.

That is a maker claim, not something we measured.

Battery or micro-USB power

All three listings name two power routes: 4 AA batteries or micro-USB. The listings say the AA batteries are not included. For battery play, add a pack of cells to your order. For the cable route, read the maker manual for the cable and power source it expects before you plug in anything.

Do not count on an AC adapter or a headphone jack for any edition unless the exact maker page names it. Ask the seller if you need either one. Do not guess at voltage or connectors. Do not swap in a source that the manual does not name.

Choose the route that matches where the cabinet will sit. A spot far from an outlet suits batteries. A spot near an outlet suits a cable, once you have confirmed the source.

Version selection and game-specific controls

Each edition fixes its game list, so the first version choice is the edition itself. After that, you pick among the three games on the cabinet. The menu steps are in the maker manual for your edition.

Games in one franchise can feel alike. The three NBA titles share one family, and the three Mortal Kombat titles share another. If only one title on the list excites you, the other two add less value. Name the title you would play most, then confirm it sits on the list of the edition you plan to buy.

Use the maker's spelling, such as NBA Hang Time, when you search.

Controls differ by genre. A maze game asks for direction input and little else. A basketball game and a fighting game both lean on buttons, and fighting games often want several within reach. That is why the button layout photo matters more for NBA JAM and Mortal Kombat II than for PAC-MAN.

Receiving checks and first use

Check the box before you open it fully. Match the product name and edition on the box to your order. A mismatch is easier to fix before the cabinet is out and handled.

Next, compare the contents with the list on the maker page. Do not expect AA batteries, since the listings say they are not included. If the cable or any other part you expected is missing, photograph the contents and contact the seller.

Look the unit over for visible damage, such as a cracked marquee or a loose joystick. Do not open the cabinet or try repairs. Stop and contact the seller or maker support instead.

For first use, follow the maker manual for the power step. Test each control you care about. Confirm that the three games on screen match the maker list. Keep the box until you know the return window on the seller page.

Assembly and support

The Mortal Kombat II listing says the cabinet arrives fully assembled. Confirm the same point on the maker page or with the seller for the other two before you assume it. Any assembly steps belong to the maker manual for your exact edition.

The current maker pages list a 90 day warranty. That cover is subject to the exact maker and seller terms, so read both. Keep your order record and the date the unit arrived. You will need them if you make a claim.

Use the manual from the maker, not a copy from a third party. It will name the right power source and setup steps for your edition. If something fails, go to maker support instead of opening the cabinet.

Compare bartop arcade machine alternatives

A Countercade is a fixed three-game unit with a 7-inch screen. If you want a larger screen or a firm two-player layout, look at a different class. Our guide to the bartop arcade machine covers that class and its trade-offs.

Bartop machines can ask for more room, so measure your surface against each model's own figures. Do not carry Countercade dimensions across. For a wider view of compact formats, the tabletop arcade games section lists related guides.

Stay with a Countercade if you want a single franchise and a handle on a small cabinet. Move on if you want shared play or a larger display.

Selection worksheet

Use this worksheet for each candidate. Fill it from the maker page first and the seller page second. Write the source and the date beside each answer, since listings change. A cell you cannot fill is a question for the seller.

Example one: a solo player with a small desk who likes maze games. PAC-MAN fits, and its 6.30 pound weight is the lowest of the three. The plural joystick wording does not matter for solo use.

Example two: a household that wants friendly matches. Start with the photos, not the titles. If a cabinet shows only one player area, plan for turn-taking or look at another format.

Example three: a gift for a fan of a single series. The franchise decides the edition. Add a pack of AA cells to the gift, since the listings say they are not included. Check the return terms in case the person wants another edition.

Do not promise a two-player game as a gift unless the maker photos confirm it. A cabinet that cannot be used on opening day is a poor start. Batteries and a clear surface prevent that.

What to check before ordering

Four factors settle most decisions, and they work best in a set order. Game list comes first, because you cannot change it after purchase. Each edition carries three titles, and no other edition shares them.

Players come second. Decide whether you play alone, take turns or need two sets of controls at once. That answer rules editions out faster than any other factor. The photos, not the titles, give you the answer.

Footprint and viewing come third. All three editions are close in size, so this factor rarely splits them. It does decide whether your surface works at all. Check the footprint and seated eye height.

Power comes fourth. Battery play frees you from an outlet but adds a purchase. Cable play needs the right source. Pick the route before you order.

Frequently asked questions

Does the NBA JAM Countercade support two players at once?

Do not assume it. The games had multiplayer in their history, but that does not prove this cabinet has a control set for each person. The listing says joysticks and buttons in the plural, which is not a player count. Count the player areas in the photos on the maker page.

Do these Countercades include batteries?

The listings say the 4 AA batteries are not included on all three editions. Plan to buy them. Or use the micro-USB route, and confirm the cable and power source in the maker manual.

Do they have a headphone jack or an AC adapter?

Neither is confirmed for any of the three editions. Treat both as absent unless the exact maker page names them. If you need one, ask the seller before you order.

Are these the older Countercades?

No. These are three current 7-inch models, and each lists three games. Older Countercades used an 8-inch screen and may differ in games and power. Do not carry specs across.

How big and heavy are they?

The PAC-MAN page gives 8.70 x 9.40 x 13.11 inches and 6.30 pounds. The NBA JAM page gives 9.45 x 8.74 x 13.19 inches and 6.75 pounds. The Mortal Kombat II page gives 8.74 x 9.45 x 13.19 inches and 6.6 pounds. All are length x width x height.

Can I add more games to a Countercade?

Judge each edition on the three games the maker lists. If you need a larger library, a different class of cabinet is the safer route.

Can I mount a Countercade on a wall?

The maker pages describe countertop units. Treat any wall or shelf fixing as outside what the maker documents, and do not improvise one. Use a stable surface instead.

What warranty do they carry?

The current maker pages list 90 days. The cover is subject to the exact seller and maker terms, so read both before you buy.

Verdict

The right Arcade1Up Countercade depends on the games you want and the players you have. Pick PAC-MAN for related maze games, NBA JAM for basketball titles or Mortal Kombat II for a fighting series. All three are current 7-inch units with three games each. None should be treated as a two-player cabinet until the maker photos show two player areas.

Buy only after you count the controls. Plan for AA cells, since the listings say they are not included, or confirm the micro-USB source and cable. Then compare the maker's size and weight with your surface. If the seller listing and the maker page disagree, ask before you order.

Continue with tabletop arcade games or the bartop arcade machine guide.