GAME REVIEW | A Plethora of Classics (and Knock-Offs) in "Antstream Arcade"
When one reads that a service offers over 1300 games to play, there’s always room for doubt. We’ve seen this happen with many a take-home retro console outfit, with these claiming to have nearly 100 games to play, but only one or two legit classics meshed with a bunch of poor imitators. Antstream Arcade is different, as it not only can lay claim to offering a bunch of classic games, they’re ones that actually deserve the “classic” title! Of course, it does come with its fair share of faux retro titles.
A streaming-based platform, Antstream Arcade gives players the chance to go hands-on with titles from 80s and 90s. From Commodore 64 and old-school arcade to even point-and-click adventures, there is a large foray of genres and styles one can actually experience via this service. On top of that, there are also challenges, tournaments, and even online multiplayer options that bring new life to these older games. What’s more, a good chunk of these games are ones that some players would’ve never thought to have been able to play again.
Publishers like Namco, LucasArts, and Midway Games are represented strongly here via Antstream Arcade. Space Invaders, Joust, Full Throttle, Mortal Kombat, Sam & Max Hit the Road, Dig Dug, and Rampage are just a sprinkling of titles that lovers of classic arcade and point-and-click games can experience. There are also some titles that I never thought I’d see again, ranging from Battle Chess and California Games to Clay Fighter and the underrated Indian Jones’ Greatest Adventures. But for every classic, there is a rip-off waiting in the wings.
I do find it funny that you can play both Pac-Man and its Commodore 64 clone Monster Munch. A bunch of bullet hell games also invade the Antstream Arcade roster, with its main grab being the usage of cute anime girls. I even came across a knock-off of Wreck-It Ralph’s "Fix-It Felix", in the form of Handy Harvy. But unlike most phony baloney titles, many of these imitators have their fun aspects to them, even if they’re still not as good as the originals.
Since Antstream Arcade works as a streaming service, I was worried that the quality of the games wouldn’t be as strong as if you had them downloaded directly to your PC. Yet I was impressed with how fluid most of these titles were. Point-and-click ones like The Dig and Day of the Tentacle manage to load faster than their MS-DOS days, and there was very little buffering in titles like Art of Fighting and Earthworm Jim. However, there were times where the sound was poppy, with bullet hell Muchi Muchi Pork forcing me to turn down my volume completely.
Control-wise, this is where it’s good to have the option to play with either mouse & keyboard or game controller. For most of the games, the game controller works great, with button layouts for arcade and retro titles working strongly without fear of finger cramps. However, there are some PC games — especially ones like Monkey Island or Pinball Mania — where it’s much better to experience with mouse & keyboard. It all depends on your comfort level, as practically all of the titles here have been tailored to any play style.
Outside of experiencing these games as they once were, online challenges add new twists to the classic gameplay. Whether it’s a high score or attempting to beat the game with just one life, these add-ons bring a new lease on life for many of these old titles. Tournaments also occur that allow you to compete with other Antstream Arcade players. Players can also add their own challenges and share them with the community via Giant Slayer, as they see if they can keep control of the top of the mountain.
The good news about Antstream Arcade is that it’s free to download. However, the free version does have some annoying ads thrown in here and there that could take you out of the gaming zone. There are subscription options that can get rid of those, with $7.99 being monthly, $39.99 annually, and $79.99 for a lifetime. It is best to see what is offered before you commit to any of these subscriptions, as it’s really up to the gamer’s taste and preferences.
PROS:
- A great assortment of classic titles
- Good online modes
- Fun challenges
CONS:
- Many knockoff games
- Audio issues
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Antstream Arcade offers a large amount of classics for those wanting to get their retro fix. Although it also has a bunch of imitators, those also manage to give way to some good fun. And with its library updated monthly, there may be some surprises in store if we’re lucky. (Fingers crossed that they get their hands on some Sierra titles, as I am itching to play Space Quest and The Incredible Machine one more time!) Depending on what games you like, Antstream Arcade is worth chucking in some quarters to experience!
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Eliott Garcia of Stride PR. Reviewed on the PC.
