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Embargo
Embargo is an arcade action game released by Cinematronics in 1977, notable for supporting up to four simultaneous players, which was unusual for the era. Players control ships or vehicles and must navigate the play field while engaging opponents and avoiding hazards. The four-player configuration allowed for competitive or cooperative gameplay across multiple cabinets or a single unit. Cinematronics used vector graphics technology for the display, giving the game a distinct visual style common to their lineup. Gameplay revolves around maneuvering and attacking, with players competing to score points against one another. The multi-player format made Embargo a social arcade experience at a time when most cabinet games were strictly single or two-player affairs.
- Developer
- Cinematronics
- Released
- 1977
- Platform
- Arcade
- Genre
- Action
- Players
- 4P
- Rating
- 4.6 / 5 (4.6K)
- Last updated
Embargo Controls — Arcade Keyboard Keys
Default keyboard bindings for Embargo on our in-browser Arcade emulator. Plug in a USB or Bluetooth gamepad to auto-detect mappings, or rebind any key from the emulator settings menu.
| Keyboard | Console button | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| ↑ | Joystick Up | Move up |
| ↓ | Joystick Down | Move down |
| ← | Joystick Left | Move left |
| → | Joystick Right | Move right |
| X | Button 1 | Primary action (jump / confirm) |
| Z | Button 2 | Secondary action (attack / cancel) |
| S | Button 3 | Tertiary action |
| A | Button 4 | Quaternary action |
| Q | Button 5 | Fifth button |
| W | Button 6 | Sixth button |
| 5 | Insert Coin | Insert coin |
| 1 | 1P Start | Start / Pause |
Coin and Start are convention "Insert Coin: 5" and "1P Start: 1". Some arcade boards expect specific button mappings — check the in-game prompts on coin-up.
Rebind any key from the EmulatorJS in-game settings menu (gear icon → Controls). A connected gamepad auto-maps to the same buttons.
Embargo Longplay & Gameplay Videos
Watch a full playthrough of Embargo on Arcade before you dive in — recommended for getting a feel for the game's pacing, story beats, and difficulty curve.
Watch longplay on YouTube
"Embargo" Arcade longplay 1977
External references
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Embargo released?
Embargo was released in 1977 for the Arcade.
Who developed Embargo?
Embargo was developed by Cinematronics, available to play in your browser on RetroGameSpace.
How many players does Embargo support?
Embargo supports up to 4 players, ideal for couch co-op or competitive sessions on the Arcade.
What type of game is Embargo?
Embargo is a Action game for the Arcade, playable instantly in your browser — no downloads, no installs.
How can I play Embargo for free?
Open this page and click "Play Now" — Embargo runs free in your browser via WebAssembly emulation. No account, no payment, no installer.
Do I need to download anything to play Embargo in the browser?
No. Embargo streams from a public archive into a browser-side Arcade emulator. Nothing is installed on your computer.
Can I save my progress in Embargo?
Yes. Save states are stored in your browser (IndexedDB) per game, and you can also use any in-game save the original Arcade cartridge supported.
Does Embargo work on mobile devices?
Yes — the Arcade emulator runs on iOS Safari and Android Chrome. Touch controls overlay the game; landscape mode is recommended.
Is it legal to play Embargo this way?
RetroGameSpace is a transient caching reverse-proxy and does not host first-party copies of Embargo. Game files are fetched on demand from publicly-accessible archives. You are responsible for compliance with your local laws and the bring-your-own-ROM principle.
