Arcade machines have long been a staple of multiplayer gaming, offering seamless real-time synchronization for competitive and cooperative play. These systems rely on specialized hardware and software to ensure all players experience smooth, lag-free gameplay.

1. Localized Hardware: Most arcade machines use a single CPU or multiple linked boards to process inputs from all players simultaneously. This eliminates latency issues common in online multiplayer games.

2. Frame Synchronization: Arcade games often lock gameplay to a fixed frame rate, ensuring all players see the same actions at the same time. This prevents desynchronization during fast-paced interactions.

3. Input Polling: The machine continuously polls controllers at high speeds (often 60Hz or higher), registering button presses and joystick movements instantly across all connected devices.

4. Dedicated Networking (for linked cabinets): In setups with multiple cabinets, arcade systems use low-latency wired connections like RS-232 or custom protocols to sync game states in real time.

5. Deterministic Game Logic: Arcade games are programmed with deterministic physics and rules, ensuring identical outcomes given the same inputs—critical for fair multiplayer competition.

Modern arcade machines also incorporate fail-safes like rollback netcode in networked setups, though traditional arcades prioritize localized hardware solutions for the most reliable synchronization. This focus on instant response times helped define the arcade multiplayer experience.