For this post, I thought I’d bring some obscure (and not so obscure) games to your attention which use either a trackball or spinner. These 2 optional extras were all the rage in the early 80’s and onwards providing totally analogue controls for the arcade machine player to use. This allows for pinpoint precision and lightning fast speeds which enhanced gameplay to the next level. So why don’t we take a look at some classic trackball and spinner games which have stood the test of time and play as well as they did way back when…
Arkanoid (Spinner Game)
This legendary ball and paddle style game was the first of its kind to feature a storyline and is engrained firmly in many gamers’ hearts. You can take full advantage of a Bespoke Arcades spinner to allow for ridiculously precise manoeuvres allowing you to return the ball and get a power up within a fraction of a second. The player always faces a dilemma of going for the power up or the ball- with a spinner you can do both (if you’re good enough).
Cameltry AKA Labyrinth (Spinner Game)
This oddly named title by Taito is built on a beautifully simple concept — rotate the screen to guide the ball through a maze and reach the exit. But what truly elevates the experience is the spinner control. The flyweight analog wheel allows for smooth, precise movement that simply can’t be replicated by any other peripheral. It’s this tactile control that makes Cameltry such a joy to play, especially when using one of our premium arcade machines. The game is a perfect example of an era when originality and innovation defined the arcade experience.
Millipede or Centipede (Trackball Game)
Back when Atari ruled the gaming world in the early '80s, these two trackball-based classics became favorites among both male and female players. In Centipede and Millipede, you must defend yourself against swarming insect enemies, with the ever-advancing centipede being the main threat. The real magic lies in the multi-directional trackball controls — unlike the horizontal-only spinner, the trackball gives you total freedom to move in all directions. Accuracy and speed are vital as you dodge obstacles and clear the screen of threats.
Combat School AKA Boot Camp (Trackball Game)
Imagine Track and Field reimagined as a military training simulator, and you’ve got Combat School. Released in 1987, this is one of my personal favorites in the trackball genre. You take on the role of Nick and Joe as they battle through seven military-style events. But the final level raises the stakes — a full-on combat mission to rescue the U.S. president. With no continues or extra lives, the challenge is brutal. It's a relentless test of skill, precision, and patience — and a trackball controller makes all the difference.
