Arcade sports game manufacturers approach physics with a fundamentally different philosophy than simulation developers. Their primary goal is not strict realism but immediate, exaggerated fun. This begins with simplified input systems. Unlike complex console controllers, arcade panels have a limited number of large, durable buttons and often a single, prominent joystick or trackball. The physics engine is built around these inputs, translating a simple push or spin into a powerful, satisfying on-screen action.

The core of the design is exaggeration and predictability. A basketball game will feature balls with exaggerated bounce and players who can perform superhuman jumps for dramatic slam dunks. In a racing title, cars have grippy, forgiving handling, allowing for effortless drifting and recovery from collisions that would be catastrophic in a simulator. The physics are tuned to create "spectacular moments"—a long-range soccer goal, a powerful bowling strike, a home run that sends the ball flying—with satisfying audiovisual feedback like screen shakes and bright explosions.

This approach prioritizes player accessibility. A novice must be able to walk up and experience a core fantasy, like being a baseball power hitter, within their first few coins. The physics are designed to be intuitive and rewarding, reducing the frustration of real-world sports failure. While modern arcade games incorporate more advanced physics engines for fluid animation and object interaction, the underlying principle remains: the laws of physics are bent and amplified to serve the ultimate goal of creating a thrilling, accessible, and memorable player experience in a commercial entertainment setting.