By Kate Russell BBC ClickOnline

Gaming has come a long way in the past 10 years

Now with the rapid improvement in home console technology, you can now get many of the most popular arcade games to play in your front room.

But how far can you get the thrills from playing at home that you used to get from going down the arcade with your mates?

With a wide range of games that have moved from the arcade to the console, it is difficult to make a generalisation.

The original Defender was a runaway smash hit back in the 1980s, with game developer Midway going so far as to build a factory dedicated to making only Defender cabinets.

You can now get a 3D version of the popular classic for all three consoles, but does it make veteran gamers go misty-eyed?

"Defender sees you defending several earthlings on a planet screaming your little fast ship across the surface and shooting aliens down with lasers and the same is true for the PlayStation 2 version," said Ste Curran, Editor at Large of Edge Magazine.

"Except it seems, because it's now in 3D, much slower and much less based on instinct and reaction, which was the main appeal of the original."

Slamming titles

Other titles have fared better. Since 1987, fight fans have been slamming the buttons of the Street Fighter series in arcades all over the world.

Virtua Fighter is the hardcore beat-em-up fans' beat-em-up Ste Curran, Edge Magazine

Capcom Vs SNK 2 for the PlayStation 2 brought the original 2D scrolling fighter experience into the 21st century and onto the home console.

"It plays pretty much the same as it does in the arcade, as long as you've got an arcade stick at home," said Mr Curran.

"The conversion is excellent. The load times are slightly longer but otherwise it's pretty much perfect."

Another pioneer of 3D fighting action also lives up to its promise. Dismissed at the time as a gimmick, Sega's Virtua Fighter revolutionised the fighting game.

"Virtua Fighter is the hardcore beat-em-up fans' beat-em-up. It's a tremendous game and the home conversion is absolutely excellent," said the Edge editor.

Some of the best arcade games around require additional hardware, which creates extra headaches for the designers and an extra cash outlay for gamers.

Game extras

Dancing Stage on the PS2 is a revolution in home gaming. With the help of a dance mat you can bop your way through the levels, so long as you can stand music from the likes of Britney and Steps.

You need a light gun to play Time Crisis at home

Back in the arcades, one of the consistently most popular game is first-person shooter Time Crisis.

How does the game fare when it comes to gun-slinging at home?

"For the home console version you're going to need a light gun," explained Mr Curran.

"If you liked Time Crisis in the arcade and you're prepared to splash out on a decent gun then you're going to love the conversion because it is excellent."

There is still a lot to be said for the atmosphere in a real arcade.

But the variety of games on offer for consoles show that you can get a taste of pure arcade fun, without the need for reinforced pockets to carry around all your small change.