Review by Jon Donnis
Antstream Arcade brings a unique offering to Xbox players: a streaming service that hosts over 1,300 retro games, allowing players to relive the glory days of classic arcade, console, and computer gaming. From the golden age of gaming in the 80s and 90s to early 2000s titles, Antstream is a celebration of gaming history, packaged in a sleek and accessible service. But is it worth your time and subscription fee?
Antstream is a cloud-based retro gaming service that launched on Xbox in 2023, after its success on PC and other platforms. Instead of downloading games, everything is streamed directly to your console, meaning you can jump into a game without waiting for it to install. The library includes a variety of well-known titles from companies like Atari, Commodore, and Sega, alongside lesser-known gems from the arcade era.
The service itself is free to download and explore, but accessing most of the games requires a subscription. The cloud-streaming nature of Antstream means that even with a large library, there is no need for local storage, making it convenient for players who don't want to sacrifice precious hard drive space for retro titles.
The sheer number of games available on Antstream is impressive, covering all sorts of genres from platformers and beat 'em ups to shooters, puzzles, and more. Iconic games like Pac-Man, Space Invaders, and Mortal Kombat sit alongside more obscure titles that will appeal to hardcore retro enthusiasts. However, one downside is the absence of big-name Nintendo and Sega classics like Super Mario or Sonic the Hedgehog. While this may be a licensing issue, it leaves a noticeable gap in what could be considered a complete retro library.
One of the most enjoyable features Antstream offers is its challenge system. You can participate in timed or score-based challenges, either solo or against friends and global leaderboards. This gives classic games an added layer of competition and replayability, which helps these older games feel fresh again. Additionally, the integration of Xbox achievements brings modern gaming elements to titles that are decades old.
When it comes to performance, Antstream holds up surprisingly well, but this is largely dependent on your internet connection. Since it is cloud-based, a stable and fast connection is essential for smooth gameplay. The service streams games at a high quality, I found minimal latency or input lag during play. However, those with slower connections or inconsistent internet may find some titles harder to play smoothly, particularly fast-paced games that require quick reflexes.
That said, one of the benefits of streaming retro games is that they are less graphically demanding than modern titles, making the overall experience more stable. Unlike modern cloud gaming services which can struggle with high-definition graphics, retro games tend to run more seamlessly in this format.
The user interface on Xbox is intuitive and easy to navigate. Games are neatly categorised, and searching for your favourites is straightforward. Each game comes with a brief description, adding context and sometimes even tips for playing, which can be helpful if you're unfamiliar with some of the older titles.
One slight drawback is that navigating the massive library can be a bit overwhelming, especially for new users. While the layout is generally user-friendly, some may find themselves spending more time browsing than actually playing if they aren't sure what they're looking for. An improved recommendation system could help guide players towards new games they might enjoy.
Antstream offers a free tier, but this only gives access to a limited selection of games. The subscription plan, which unlocks the full library, is priced competitively, but it may seem steep for some players who aren't deeply invested in retro gaming. For fans of classic games, however, the service offers fantastic value, especially when considering the cost of individually purchasing these games elsewhere.
It's also worth noting that the subscription covers cloud saves, multiplayer challenges, and regular updates to the game library, making it more than just a collection of old titles. If you're a retro enthusiast or simply curious about classic gaming history, the cost could easily justify itself.
Antstream Arcade on Xbox is a fantastic service for retro gaming fans, offering a vast library of titles, engaging challenge modes, and a smooth streaming experience. While it's not perfect, lacking some of the most iconic titles and being dependent on a strong internet connection, it is an enjoyable and accessible way to explore gaming's past.
One of my all-time favourite arcade games, Rygar by Tecmo is there, this was literally the first game I searched for on the service, and it is the full arcade version, not the inferior home console release, so this made me happy. I have been wanting a proper port of this game for ages, and although it was available on PC in various forms, I wanted to play it on a proper console, with my arcade control stick, to get the closest to the feeling of the arcade as you can get.
If like me you are a man who grew up in the 1980s playing classic arcade games, you might just be able to find a lost classic and relive your youth. For me personally that alone is worth the price of subscription.
Anyone with a deep appreciation for arcade classics and retro gaming, Antstream is an excellent addition to the Xbox ecosystem. If you're looking to relive some childhood favourites or discover hidden gems from gaming's early days, Antstream Arcade is well worth your time.
No comments:
Post a Comment