Arcade Emulation
The first arcade cabinet is thought to be 1971's Computer Space, but the popularity of these games (and the concept of the video arcade) started in the late 1970s when a handful of breakout titles (Space Invaders, Galaxian, Pac-Man, Defender) drew mainstream interest. There has been very little in the way of standardized hardware in arcade history, with each company usually developing its own systems from the ground up; "multi arcade" emulators try to draw these together and simplify the process, with MAME being the foremost example.
Arcade Emulation Guide For PC
Recommended Emulators: MAME, Sega Model 2 Emulator, Nebula
At one time, some years ago, MAME sprawled into a nightmare of diverging forks with different compatibility for different games and new updates breaking compatibility with old games. At this point, thankfully, things have pretty much settled back to a central MAME that tries to stay up to date with everything.
The emulator has about two dozen public domain games (mostly Exidy games) that you can freely get from the main site. To play other games, you often need manufacturer BIOS files. There are a number of big BIOS packs floating around out there but they come and go, I can't even remember the name of the one I got ages ago. This looks like one though I can't see the contents of the ZIP, but it's about the right size. Google around and you'll figure it out. Or someone send me a solid link and I'll add it.
MAME covers some 3500 arcade games, but is either partially or fully incompatible with some. So there are some oddball system-specific emulators that are worth picking up. The two key ones linked above are Sega Model 2 Emulator ( for Sega '90s games with complex cabinets like Daytona USA and House Of The Dead ) and Nebula ( for Capcom's late 90s / 2000s games like Street Fighter 3 ).
MAME basic controls are usually 5 to insert coin, 1 to start, USB gamepads should be auto-detected. You'll need to get into its menus to play with control schemes for exotic setups like the trackball games.
Minimum System Requirements: Basic Emulation
Peripherals:
Gamepad : A virtual necessity for all types of emulation
Arcade Stick : Really helps to enjoy the plethora of arcade fighting games, and lends a more authentic experience to most other games
Flight Stick : For the After Burners and other such flight-based games
Trackball : Standard mouse trackballs aren't great for this as they're too precise and free-rolling for how arcade games were designed, you want a larger trackball more in line with old arcade specs that was designed with gaming in mind (higher natural resistance). For niche stuff like Centipede, Missile Command, Crystal Castles, Golden Tee, Marble Madness, and various bowling and golf games. If the model you get has a removable trackball and doesn't feel right, it should be proportioned such that you can plop in a billiards ball for more natural resistance.
Links
A mysterious link, my innocent eyes and puny brain can't comprehend it