Arcade machines of the 1980s and 1990s handled dynamic physics-based platforming through specialized hardware architecture rather than software calculations. These systems utilized custom processors like the Z80 and Motorola 68000 working in tandem - one managing game logic while the other handled graphics rendering. The apparent physics emerged from carefully programmed sprite movement patterns and collision detection systems that used hitbox calculations between character sprites and environment tiles.

Platforming mechanics were achieved through predetermined jump arcs and movement trajectories stored in lookup tables, allowing consistent performance without complex real-time calculations. Games like "Donkey Kong" and "Ghosts 'n Goblins" implemented gravity through vertical position increments and platform collision flags. The hardware's limited memory meant physics interactions had to be pre-calculated and optimized, creating the distinctive responsive feel of arcade platformers that balanced challenge with predictable mechanical behavior.

Developers engineered these systems around the arcade environment, prioritizing smooth performance and immediate player feedback. Collision detection worked through coordinate comparisons between sprite boundaries and background elements, while momentum and acceleration were simulated through fixed movement increments. This hardware-driven approach created the precise, repeatable physics that defined classic arcade platforming experiences.