Nosebleed Interactive, with Wired Productions at its side, brings us Arcade Paradise, a game that invites players on a nostalgic journey to manage and evolve an old-school arcade straight out of the early ’90s. Imagine the thrill of running an arcade, combined with management simulation elements, all wrapped up in one delightful package.
Back in 2022, when the game first hit the shelves, it quickly attracted a loyal fan base and racked up impressive reviews. This led to the release of several DLCs. However, my true fascination with the game ignited this year with the announcement of a VR version. Who could resist trying it in virtual reality?
Want to indulge in the fun? Get ready for some hard work to earn your playtime.
### From Laundry to Legendary Gaming…
Players kick off their adventure with a modest, run-down laundromat that they work to transform into a bustling arcade. To achieve this, you dive deep into the nuts and bolts of arcade management—playing games, unlocking achievements, and tending to the essential yet mundane tasks of cleaning the place up, repairing game machines, and yes, even managing laundry for others to support your arcade’s growth.
Interestingly, the game weaves in a storyline many gamers can relate to. You can expand your arcade with nearly 40 different retro-style games, each offering its unique vibe. While naturally, some games will shine more than others, this diversity drives you to collect them all.
Adding an extra layer of fun, there’s a high-score challenge woven into the narrative. Occasionally, you’ll receive mysterious emails from someone challenging you to beat a certain high score on an arcade machine. The minute you accomplish this, a new challenge awaits.
### Is This Arcade Heaven?
For PSVR2 users, there’s a treasure trove of fresh content that flat-screen players might not have experienced, alongside content that was formerly exclusive to DLCs. Although a few games I’d love to play in VR aren’t available, what’s on offer here is pretty substantial. Retro fans will find familiar faces among the classics, with homage to iconic games like Dance Dance Revolution, Pong, GTA, Space Invaders, Mr. Driller, Virtuality, Arkanoid, Asteroids, and many more.
### Easy to Manage?
At first, the pace might seem slow, but it’s just helping you get a handle on things. After the first hour or so, the action speeds up, making the game tougher to put down. Once you know your way around, you may find more time is spent enjoying games rather than working. As you delve deeper into the story, you’ll find ways to upgrade your arcade. These upgrades, designed like a skill tree, help you manage more effectively, hire staff, and even tweak your character’s look.
Spending your earnings smartly is key! The game cleverly employs two currencies—Dollars and English pounds. Your upgrade potentials rely on one currency, while the other handles cabinets and arcade enhancements. With upgrades being quite costly, the challenge lies in earned currency gathered through daily tasks and missions, adding a strategic grind.
### Verdict?
Arcade Paradise initially felt like a dream when it rolled out on regular screens. But with the news of a VR version for Meta Quest earlier this year, I couldn’t help but pester the publishers every chance I got (seriously, almost daily 😀) to release it on PSVR2. While they haven’t openly credited my suggestion, there’s acknowledgment of the PSVR2 community’s strong support in their press releases.
Admittedly, I didn’t expect a big leap from the flat version to the VR one. However, everything about it—stunning visuals, smooth gameplay—shines on PSVR2, showcasing its unique features beautifully. I’m fourteen days and 42 hours in, and it’s still the only game I want to play.
As the Platinum trophy looms on the horizon, it dawns on me—I really don’t want this journey to end! The engaging variety of games and objectives continuously pull me in. The only thing that could elevate this experience would be if the arcade transformed into a real online gathering place. Now there’s a suggestion I hope Nosebleed Interactive considers for future updates or sequels.
And here’s the kicker—it won’t break the bank. If you’ve got the flat version, it’s just a small upgrade fee. Even better, there’s a sale happening right now, so seize the opportunity!
Still undecided? Catch the launch trailer below and see for yourself.
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