Elevator Action – How to Play It Today and Whether It Is Worth It

How to play it today

The easiest legal way to play the original Elevator Action today is Arcade Archives ELEVATOR ACTION on Nintendo Switch or PlayStation 4. That is the recommended version if your goal is specifically the 1983 arcade game.

There are two other practical routes, but they serve different needs. TAITO Milestones includes Elevator Action as part of a Switch collection, so it makes more sense if you want a wider set of Taito arcade games rather than one standalone purchase. Elevator Action Returns S-Tribute is a different kind of recommendation: its main game is the later Elevator Action Returns, but it also includes the original Elevator Action as a 1-player bonus available from the start.

For most readers asking, “What should I buy to play Elevator Action?”, the answer is simple: choose Arcade Archives ELEVATOR ACTION. Choose TAITO Milestones only if the collection itself appeals to you. Choose Elevator Action Returns S-Tribute if you like the premise but want a fuller, more modern-feeling action game with extra convenience features.

Original arcade hardware and old home versions are mainly for enthusiasts. They can be interesting, but they add cost, setup, legal acquisition, and display friction that most players do not need.

Why this is the recommended version

Arcade Archives is the cleanest recommendation because it gives you the original arcade game without making you buy a larger package or rely on old hardware. It is direct, current, and focused on the version most people mean when they ask about Elevator Action.

That matters because Elevator Action is not a game where every version serves the same purpose. The original is a short arcade score game. Its value is in quick attempts, improving your route, staying calm under enemy pressure, and learning how to use elevators efficiently. A standalone release fits that structure well.

TAITO Milestones is not a bad option, but it changes the buying logic. It is better for someone building a small arcade library than for someone who only wants Elevator Action. If you are not interested in the other included games, the standalone Arcade Archives release is the cleaner choice.

Elevator Action Returns S-Tribute is the more interesting alternative. For many modern players, it may actually be the better game to start with, because Elevator Action Returns is more substantial and the package includes convenience features such as rewind, quick save and load, slow mode, stage select, and other assist options. The catch is that this is not primarily a release of the 1983 original. If you want the old arcade game, Arcade Archives is still the more precise answer.

So the recommendation splits clearly: Arcade Archives for the original, Elevator Action Returns S-Tribute for the stronger modern play session.

Is it still worth playing?

Yes, with the right expectation. Elevator Action is still worth playing as a compact arcade idea. It has a strong identity, and the elevator-based movement gives it a different rhythm from many early arcade action games.

It is not a universal recommendation. If you want a long campaign, character upgrades, varied stages, or modern comfort, the original will probably feel too thin. It is a 1983 arcade game, and it plays like one: direct, repetitive, readable, and unforgiving.

That is why the best recommendation depends on what you want from it. If you are curious about the original, Arcade Archives is an easy yes. Play it for short sessions, learn the loop, and decide whether the score-chase hooks you. If you mainly want the concept in a more substantial form, start with Elevator Action Returns S-Tribute instead. It is the better modern action recommendation, while still giving you access to the original as a bonus.

For retro-curious players, Elevator Action is worth sampling. For arcade fans, it is still a neat and distinctive score game. For players who only want depth and modern pacing, it is safe to skip the original and go straight to Returns.