Antstream Arcade review for Xbox

With Antstream Arcade we will have 1,300 opportunities to travel back in time and play anthological classics

When Antstream Arcade came out on PC last year, I thought it was a platform of dubious origin. How is it possible that a service like this could host so many retro gems, with each game from a different developer and studio? The fact is that I was able to dispel all my doubts, since over time I was able to verify an evolution of this platform, with the inclusion of new titles, interviews with the developers or a series of tournaments each more fun. And look where, now, all the fun that the computer version offered us is extrapolated to our Xbox, without losing an iota of its essence as I will relate in the next analysis.

For those who don’t know what it is, Antstream Arcade is an online service that lets you play classic titles. It is particularly focused on the arcade field, although there are games for Mega Drive, GameBoy, Amstrad, Super Nintendo and even dare to touch the field of the first PlayStation. If you don’t believe me, here’s the full list of games

The real Netflix of video games?

If you enjoyed the retro games of Nintendo Switch Online, you surely know how it works in Antstream Arcade. Once we have selected the title in question, It will load immediately so we can play instantly. No console downloads or waiting times. The only condition is that we must be connected to the Internet at all times. This aspect can be a bit annoying because on certain specific occasions, if there is a cut in your online connection, it can hinder the progress of your game, even if it is a title designed exclusively for a single player aspect.

The fact that it works completely online also made me doubt about the accuracy of the controls depending on the games. Many of us know the frenzy that exists in a ball-hellthe reflections we need in a fighting game or the lens that a retro FPS demands. It’s not that Antstream Arcade is malfunctioning, but I encountered some latency in response, especially at the start of some games. And looking for the immediacy of our response is something absolutely essential in this catalog.

Don’t leave the arcade to the next kid

Don’t think this bundle comes with all 1300 games ordered by any means. Everything is neatly divided into categories, and even as we play the program itself, it will suggest titles we might like. A dashboard completed by a special section with challenges, technical information for each game and even small screenshots so that we know immediately if this is the proposal we are looking for at that moment.

Through these challenges we will have the opportunity to earn points and beat other rivals in the leaderboard who, like us, try to beat their own hi mark. Once these challenges have been completed, we will receive a series of special coins to spend on registrations for new tournaments. And that’s not all, we will have duels, confrontations of the whole community against a sizeable enemy to beat their score… a very well thought out madness.

A waterfall of memories

Special mention to the search engine. This tool will be very useful to find the style of play that we want to enjoy. PWe can filter by company (Atari, SNK, Capcom…), by console, genre and even by year of release. A marvel that will allow us to go directly to the type of classic that enchants us the most, without searching through endless menus. Incidentally, it can even be filtered through contemporary indie games with that nurturing twist, as is the case with Chip!.

Of course, you must take into account the type of game you are facing in this excellent compilation. Most of the titles have a high difficulty level, like the one there was back then, with its pixels as they came into the world and with an approximate control that has nothing to do with the fluidity that we find today. In Antstream Arcade, they wanted to keep the concept of Preservation Of Video Games, and we won’t find upgraded versions of titles, no rewind functions or anything that affects the original experience (except fast save/load). Actually, The multiplayer of games that once had it is preserved.

Antstream Arcade Conclusion

For any retro gaming lover, it’s a little candy that jumps straight from PC to our consoles. Whether in its unlimited edition, or its subscription version for one year, we will enjoy 1,300 gems that will make us relive those good times hooked on arcade games. And not only that, but we will have championships, new additions to the catalog and delicious extras to never be bored. The only bad thing is the forced online connection it takes to load the games, and that little graphical overhaul that you find in any title. However, if you don’t like classic video games, you should at least try this time travel from Antstream Arcade.