Arcade machines handle player matchmaking for cooperative games through several straightforward, hardware-based methods, prioritizing immediate, local multiplayer action over complex online systems. The primary and most common technique is direct cabinet linking. Many arcade cabinets designed for two or more players feature built-in controls for each participant on a single unit. When players insert coins and press start, they are instantly joined in the same game session on a shared screen. This is the quintessential cooperative experience found in classic beat 'em ups like "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" or "The Simpsons Arcade Game.

For larger-scale cooperation, some arcade systems utilize local area network (LAN) technology to link multiple physical cabinets. In this setup, two or more standalone arcade machines are connected via specialized networking hardware. Players at each cabinet form a single team, allowing for cooperative play across different units. This was famously implemented in games like the "Silent Scope" series, where one cabinet housed the sniper rifle and another displayed the team's shared progress.

Beyond physical linking, matchmaking is often managed by the game's internal logic based on player count. A game might have different levels or modes that become accessible only when a specific number of players have joined. The system doesn't actively "match" players based on skill; it simply waits for the requisite number of participants to begin. Furthermore, some modern arcade machines, particularly those in the "card-based" genre like "Mario Kart Arcade GP," use RFID cards to save player profiles and data. While this doesn't create skill-based matchmaking in the online console sense, it allows the game to recognize returning players and maintain a persistent identity across sessions, adding a minor layer of progression to the cooperative experience. Ultimately, arcade cooperative matchmaking is defined by its simplicity and locality, focusing on bringing players together in the same physical space for instant, shared gameplay.