Is it just me or arcade games difficult as hell?

Question

I've been playing Mame for about two years now and the more games I play from my youth, the more I realize how brutally difficult they are and I'm just not having any fun anymore. Is this normal?

I mean, it takes me something like 30+ continues to complete a beat-em-up such as Final Fight, The Simpsons or TMNT 1 & 2. I know these games were made with the intent in taking our quarters as fast as possible, but most of them are unrealistic. I can barely get past the fourth or fifth opponent in 2D fighters like Mortal Kombat 2 or Killer Instinct and I've been playing games my entire life.

I don't wanna lower each game's difficulty setting as that would cheapen the experience for me. Does any of this make sense? Am I the only one finding every single different game I play to be brutally frustrating when just set to the "normal" difficulty setting?

Answer 1

Yes arcade games are meant to be money makers.

Are you playing MAME on a PC, XBox, PSP, ect. If you are playing it on a pc, it is easer to play when you make the cabinet and controls to play like the real arcade game. Here are a few http://web.tampabay.rr.com/arcade/ http://www.dave-gallagher.net/arcade/porn/page17.htm http://www.mameworld.net/massive/How-to/Cabinet_Plans/cabinet_plans.html

Answer 2

You want a cheap arcade game, look back at Gauntlet. Not only are you ridiculously outnumbered, but you lose health each second!

Answer 3

Its not just you. Arcade games are as hard as hell. Even time i play, 5 seconds, GAME OVER!

Answer 4

I thought they make it difficult for people to play on purpose so they can make more money...