As someone who has a full-on Arcade1Up “NBA Jam” machine in their living room and a litany of smaller retro gaming replicas around the house, I may be a little obsessed with home arcade products. But I also know that not everyone has the space or cash for a towering gaming station that brings back fuzzy memories of scrounging for quarters and chasing high scores, especially if they’re looking for a quick and easy gift idea for Father’s Day. That’s why I recommend My Arcade’s Joystick Player for anyone who wants to give Dad a quick hit of nostalgia that he’ll come back to again and again.
Available in a handful of variations including “Pac-Man,” “Galaga” and “Space Invaders,” these charming mini arcade machines are small enough to display on your desk but still pack authentic, full-size controls that help you play these classics like you’re back in an ’80s arcade. I’ve owned the “Pac-Man” one for years now, and I think it’s a no-brainer Father’s Day gift for any geeky dad.
My Arcade 'Pac-Man' Joystick Player
This mini arcade machine packs a full-size joystick so the father figure in your life can have an authentic "Pac-Man" experience right on his desk.
I own plenty of miniature arcade machines, but while they’re cute and fully functional, they often end up as desk toys I keep on display rather than something I actually play with often. As novel as it is to see a faithful version of “Pac-Man” or “Galaga” running on a tiny plastic box, trying to play these games with a tiny nub of a joystick gets old pretty fast.
