They’re insanely fun despite their simple designs, and they take us back to the best time ever: the 90s. Space Invaders, Super Mario, Street Fighter – these games defined our childhood and turned us into the gamers we are today. So, why not go “old school” in the Rift itself? Arcade is an entire skin line designed to give you a trip down memory lane, with each skin jam-packed with retro game references, 8-bit goodness, and badass pixel art.
9. Arcade Sona
Released: August 31st, 2012 Price: 1350 RP I’m not a big fan of this skin. The recall is insanely dull – it’s practically just Sona standing AFK – and while the animations are in a neat 8-bit style, they’re pretty clunky and feel underwhelming. That said, the skin does have a few nice touches. The death animation has the iconic “GAME OVER” pop up, and your auto attacks shoot out stars and rainbows. And the ultimate even forces your enemies to play some extreme DDR (a literal dance battle). I don’t really understand why they turned her stun into DDR, considering the game is all about grooving to some sweet disco tunes – but it does look awesome.
8. Arcade Caitlyn
Released: June 28th, 2019 Price: 1350 RP Arcade Caitlyn is another skin I’m not really won over by. The design is cute and the animations are awesome, but the character model doesn’t have an arcade feel in the slightest. Nevertheless, I do absolutely love the recall. It lets you one-shot Teemo over and over again (true bliss). Plus, the Prestige version definitely ups the overall quality and fits the theme better; her gun is even given a Guitar Hero-inspired makeover.
7. Arcade Riven
Released: August 19th, 2015 Price: 1350 RP This skin definitely hasn’t gone for the subtle look; It’s packed with neon colors, and honestly looks like it came straight out of a 90’s fashion mag. While the character model design is fun and “groovy,” where the skin really shines is the animations and particle effects. They’re slick and bursting with nerdiness, from the K.O death animation to the recall where Riven summons up an array of retro swords. Sadly, the skin has one major drawback: it feels clunky. Now, this wouldn’t have put me off the skin if it was any other champion. But we’re talking about Riven; smooth and clean animations are a must if you’re hoping to land all her complex combos.
6. Arcade Kai’Sa
Released: June 28th, 2019 Price: 1350 RP Arcade Kai’Sa is badass and colorful to the max, and I’m here for it. Her blasters have been transformed into old school controllers, and she rocks a Street Fighter-themed outfit. Animations are also ultra-smooth and brimming with flashy 8-bit particle effects. So yep, you can gun down your enemies and let them feel the full force of the 90s. What I love most about this skin though is the recall; it encapsulates how we all feel when losing an Arcade game (or a ranked match).
5. Arcade Ezreal
Released: August 24th, 2016 Price: 1350 RP Are you a diehard fan of Kingdom Hearts? Then you’re in luck. This skin transforms Ezreal into Roxas, with a little more retro inspiration thrown into the mix. Sound effects are heavenly and extremely distinct, and the animations are magical, with your ultimate looking like the 8-bit version of excalibur. Oh, and if you have a grudge against Shyvana’s leg? You’ll be pleased to know that the recall lets you one shot a dragon. I guess that’s one way to tell Shyvana you want to break up.
4. Arcade Ahri
Released: August 24th, 2016 Price: 1350 RP In my opinion, Arcade Ahri is severely underrated and deserves a lot more love. There is just so much detail and “extraness” thrown in that I can’t help but admire it. Her tails are constantly changing color, animations are pretty much an ode to retro gaming culture, and the recall is insanely unique. In the recall, Ahri battles it out on a LoL-themed arcade machine, and then actually dives inside (giving the Summoner’s Rift a Matrix feel). Plus sound effects are distinct, fun, and sure to unlock all your childhood memories.
3. Arcade Corki
Released: August 24th, 2016 Price: 1350 RP This skin transforms Corki’s plane into a spaceship straight out of Space Invaders. It looks badass and comes packed with two floating guns, allowing you to pew down enemy after enemy in style. Animations are smooth and give Corki a more modern feel (something which he’s in dire need of). Plus, visual clarity is surprisingly solid considering how flashy and stylized the particle effects are.
2. Arcade Miss Fortune
Released: August 12th, 2014 Price: 1350 RP Arcade Miss Fortune is every old school gamer’s dream skin. It’s sexy, feels like it came from an alternative universe trapped in the 90s, and has tons of retro game references – there’s even a Gameboy strapped to her belt. The sound effects are also a blast from the past, and the animations are flashy and playful without sacrificing visual clarity. To top it off, the recall and death animations are both hilarious. Oh, and let’s be real: the splash art is also one of the best (and hottest) Riot has ever created.
1. Arcade Hecarim
Released: August 21st, 2013 Price: 1350 RP Zooming his way into the 1st spot is Arcade Hecarim. This skin essentially transforms Hecarim into a robotic, rainbow horse rocking out on a Guitar Hero controller. Virtually all his animations pay homage to arcade video games in some way or another;
His W spawns pixel life hearts around his opponents His E is a throwback to the speed strips of classic racing games And there’s even Star Power-inspired particle effects
What really makes Arcade Hecarim worthy of the number one spot though is the ultimate. The ult honestly transforms your gaming experience entirely, letting you ram your enemies to death with pure, rainbow horsepower. It’s hilarious, it’s fun, and your ultimate tilts virtually any enemy in an instant. Despite the skin being nearly a decade old, I’m yet to get tired of it. Oh, and if you really want to up your gameplay experience to the next level? Play some Robot Unicorn Attack tunes in the background. Note: this content was created under Riot Games’ “Legal Jibber Jabber” policy using assets owned by Riot Games. Riot Games does not endorse or sponsor this project.
