Arcade machines pioneered local multiplayer gaming through ingenious hardware solutions long before home consoles popularized the concept. The most straightforward approach involved multiple control sets attached to a single cabinet, allowing two to four players to share one screen simultaneously. This configuration was ideal for competitive fighting games like Street Fighter II and cooperative classics like The Simpsons Arcade.

For larger multiplayer experiences, arcade operators could link multiple cabinets together through specialized networking hardware. Racing games like Daytona USA famously used this system, creating eight-player pods where each cabinet displayed individual screens while sharing game state data through serial cables or early network protocols. This required dedicated communication chips and synchronization software to maintain consistent gameplay across all units.

Technical implementations varied significantly between manufacturers. Some systems used master-slave configurations where one cabinet acted as the game host, while others employed peer-to-peer networks for better scalability. The hardware typically included additional ROM boards for multiplayer logic, expanded memory modules to track multiple player states, and specialized video processors capable of rendering split-screen displays or alternating turns efficiently.

Beyond technical specifications, arcade multiplayer succeeded through clever design choices. Games often featured alternating play—where players would take turns after each character death—maximizing cabinet usage while maintaining social engagement. The physical arrangement of controls also encouraged social interaction, with side-by-side configurations fostering camaraderie and face-to-face setups intensifying competition. These design principles, combined with robust hardware, created the iconic arcade experiences that defined multiplayer gaming for generations.