The vibrant world of arcade gaming is powered by a diverse range of software platforms and operating systems, evolving significantly from the industry's inception. Unlike home PCs, most arcade games do not run on a general-purpose OS like Windows. Instead, they typically operate on highly specialized, proprietary systems.

Historically, classic arcade games from the 80s and 90s were built on dedicated hardware. Each game cabinet contained a unique Printed Circuit Board (PCB) that was the entire system. The game's code was hardwired onto ROM chips soldered directly to this PCB, creating a single-purpose machine. There was no separate "operating system" in the modern sense; the software was the game itself, interacting directly with the custom hardware.

As technology advanced, arcade manufacturers began to adopt standardized hardware platforms. Companies like SNK with its Neo Geo MVS, Sega with its NAOMI and Chihiro systems, and Namco with its System 246 created reusable arcade boards. These platforms often shared architecture with contemporary home consoles (e.g., Sega Dreamcast, Sony PlayStation 2) to simplify development. The software for these systems was still highly optimized for the specific hardware but was now delivered on cartridges, GD-ROMs, or discs.

In the modern era, the lines have blurred. Many contemporary arcade machines, especially racing games, light-gun shooters, and prize redemption games, are essentially powerful PCs housed in a cabinet. These frequently use a lightweight or embedded version of Microsoft Windows (e.g., Windows 10 IoT Enterprise) or Linux as their underlying operating system. The game itself runs as an application on top of this OS, allowing for more accessible development using tools like Unity or Unreal Engine.

Furthermore, emulation plays a crucial role in preserving and re-releasing classic arcade titles. Software like MAME (Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator) is a program that runs on standard PCs and mimics the hardware of thousands of classic arcade boards. This allows the original game ROMs to operate on completely different systems, making retro gaming accessible today.

In summary, arcade games run on a spectrum from purpose-built PCBs with no true OS, to standardized arcade hardware, and finally to modern PC-based systems utilizing Windows or Linux. Emulation software also serves as a vital platform for experiencing classic arcade titles.