In a 1995 interview, Suzuki said he felt "Hang-On" was his most impressive game at the time of release. "Retro Gamer" cited "Hang-On" as the first example of a full-body experience game because of the deluxe cabinet's ride-on controls, and noted the game as being popular, though less impressive than "Out Run." Former Sega arcade director Akira Nagai has credited "Hang-On" as one of the titles that helped to bring arcade games out of the 1982 downturn and created new genres of arcade games. According to video game journalist Ken Horowitz, "Hang-On" is remembered more for its gameplay than its sales, in part because it was unique in arcades at the time, and that it was an example that "when it came to arcade innovation, Sega was at the top of the industry".