Rules, Ratings & Disclosure
How we make money, how we rate things, and the rules for the contests. Plain language, no fine-print games.
Required disclosure
Affiliate disclosure
Arcade Tsunami is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
When you buy something through a link on this site we may receive a commission. It costs you nothing extra, and it never changes the price you pay.
Editorial policy
How we rate things
Our letter grade is ours. The star average is Amazon. We keep them visually separate on every product page because they measure different things.
The Owner Consensus panel is computed from review text — attribute scores, recurring themes, and mention counts. Those numbers are derived statistics, not copied reviews. Where we quote a reviewer directly we keep it short, attribute it, and link to the original so you can read it in full and in context.
No manufacturer pays for placement, a grade, or an editorial flag. We have never accepted a free unit in exchange for coverage. If that changes it will be disclosed on the specific page, not buried here.
What owners mod first is ranked by how often each upgrade appears in reviews and community builds — not by commission rate. Several of the parts we recommend most are the cheapest things on the site.
Official rules
Monthly contest rules
No purchase necessary to enter or win. A purchase will not improve your chances of winning. Contests are decided entirely by skill — the highest verified score wins. No element of chance determines the outcome.
Eligibility
Open to registered members aged 18 or older at the time of entry. Employees of Arcade Tsunami and their immediate households are not eligible. Void where prohibited.
How to enter
Create a free account, select the division matching your hardware, and submit your score with proof before the monthly deadline. Unlimited attempts; only your best verified score counts.
Divisions
| Original Hardware | Authentic PCB, original cabinet or supergun, CRT display, no enhancements |
|---|---|
| Cabinet | Any home cabinet with physical stick and buttons |
| Emulator | MAME or equivalent — no save states, rewind, slow-motion or autofire |
| Handheld | Official handheld or mini console, stock controls |
Proof and verification
A clear photo of the game-over screen showing your final score is the minimum. Video of the full run is required for any score placing in the top three. Moderators verify every entry, normally within 48 hours, and may request additional evidence. Decisions of the moderators are final.
Prizes
One gift card per division per month, unless stated otherwise on the contest page. Prizes are not transferable and no cash alternative is offered. Winners are notified by email within 7 days of the contest closing and must respond within 30 days. Winners are responsible for any applicable taxes.
Disqualification
Fabricated scores, manipulated proof, entering a division that does not match your hardware, or using prohibited enhancements results in disqualification and may result in account termination. Amazon is not a sponsor of, and is not affiliated with, these contests.
Community
Comment and Social Wall rules
Post specifics: measurements, part numbers, what broke, what worked. That is what makes this site worth reading. Everything submitted to the Social Wall is reviewed by a moderator before it appears publicly.
Share only content you created or have the right to share. No reselling links, no affiliate links of your own, no ROM distribution, and nothing that would get someone hurt — several of these machines carry lethal voltage inside long after they are unplugged.
We store the URL of a social post and build the embed through the network own API. We never ask for your social account credentials, and no page on this site will ever ask you for a password other than your own Arcade Tsunami one.