Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection

54%
Game Brain Score Based on 102 reviews
  • music
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection Game Cover
With a scattershot selection of games and a slapdash presentation, Konami Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection misses the mark. The games are playable, but this doesn't feel like the definitive way to preserve these classics. It instead feels like a school project thrown together during an all-nighter.
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"Anniversary Collection Arcade Classics" is a compilation of 8 Konami arcade games from the 1980s, including Nemesis and Haunted Castle. This collection offers enhanced features such as mid-game saves, difficulty levels, and display options, providing a fresh experience for both new and longtime fans. Additionally, it includes a bonus eBook with new information and staff interviews.

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Reviews

54%
Audience ScoreBased on 102 reviews
music5 positive mentions
monetization3 negative mentions
  • A nostalgic collection of classic Konami arcade games that brings back fond memories for many players.
  • The inclusion of Japanese versions of the games adds variety and improves gameplay for some titles.
  • The collection features a decent selection of shoot 'em ups, with some titles like Thunder Cross and Gradius being particularly enjoyable.
  • Control issues are prevalent, with many players frustrated by the inability to customize key bindings and poor controller support.
  • The audio quality is often criticized as being tinny and low, detracting from the overall experience.
  • Several games in the collection are considered overly difficult, with some players finding them frustratingly hard compared to their home console counterparts.
  • music12 mentions

    The music in the games is generally praised for its quality and variety, with standout soundtracks like those from Thunder Cross and Konami titles receiving particular acclaim. However, some users noted issues with audio quality, describing certain soundtracks as muffled or low-quality, which detracted from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, many players appreciate the nostalgic and engaging nature of the music, which enhances gameplay.

    • “The music for the games is very good; there are definitely a lot of nice tracks to listen to.”
    • “Some dedicated art and great music tracks in this game that are worth 20 bucks definitely!”
    • “Challenging gameplay, but you have that tempo soundtrack that is going to keep you engaged.”
    • “Well, a few games have different music, order of levels, or are harder and less balanced than their Japanese versions, but the problem comes from Haunted Castle and Thunder Cross. Mainly, Haunted Castle is absurdly hard and it's practically trial and error; it makes a lot of hard games look pathetic in comparison. That being said, the Japanese version was still tough but was a lot more balanced and thus easier and fun to play. Thunder Cross, on the other hand, is literally dumbed down; they removed weapons and you can't do as much with some mechanics as you could in the Japanese version.”
    • “I bought this full price because I love Konami gaming music and I danced to a lot of the Konami soundtracks!”
  • gameplay8 mentions

    The gameplay is often described as inconsistent, with some players finding it enjoyable while others experience significant frustration, particularly due to its challenging difficulty even on normal settings. Many reviewers note that the older titles may not hold up well, with issues like poor timing and unbalanced mechanics, especially in specific games like "Haunted Castle" and "Thunder Cross," which differ greatly from their Japanese counterparts. Overall, while the gameplay can be engaging, it is frequently marred by difficulty spikes and design flaws.

    • “Challenging gameplay, but you have that tempo soundtrack that is going to keep you engaged.”
    • “The gameplay can be a mixed bag; I know these are older games and the gameplay isn't going to really hold up, but it can be frustratingly hard even on normal difficulty.”
    • “Haunted Castle is absurdly hard and it's practically trial and error; it makes a lot of hard games look pathetic in comparison. The Japanese version was still tough but was a lot more balanced and thus easier and more fun to play.”
    • “Thunder Cross is literally dumbed down; they removed weapons and you can't do as much with some mechanics as you could in the Japanese version.”
  • graphics7 mentions

    The graphics are praised for their detailed and colorful pixel art, which remains visually appealing even after a slight upgrade for higher resolutions. Users appreciate the diverse and interesting level designs, though some suggest adding more filters for further enhancement. Overall, the graphics effectively capture the charm of the original titles while adapting to modern standards.

    • “The pixel graphics are very good for their time, definitely with nice detail and color. The levels for all the games are quite nice and diverse, with plenty of interesting locations.”
    • “A slight graphical upgrade has also been added so that it all still remains quite visible in higher resolutions compared to the resolutions that were available in the living room at the time these titles were released.”
    • “Graphics are great (obviously I love pixel art!) and the music is great, but I can't remember how the voiceovers sounded before.”
    • “A slight graphical upgrade has also been added so that it all still remains quite visible in higher resolutions compared to the resolutions that were available in the living room in the time period when these titles were released.”
    • “I have Windows 10, a DX11-compatible graphics card, AMD FX octocore, 16GB of RAM and only the menu works.”
    • “One thing they could improve is to add more filters to improve graphics.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game is criticized as a blatant cash grab, reflecting a lack of care for fans and prompting users to reconsider their spending habits.

    • “A quick cash grab is all this game is.”
    • “Don't tell Konami it's okay to cynically cash grab the fans of their video games - who they clearly don't care about anymore.”
    • “I am revising my spending habits (and Steam's advertising) after this pointless purchase.”
  • story2 mentions

    The story in the Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection is considered minimal and unremarkable, leading some players to skip it entirely. One user humorously notes that the experience culminates in a frustrating moment in the "volcano fields," suggesting a lack of depth in the narrative.

    • “The story feels disjointed and lacks a coherent flow, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “Character development is shallow, leaving me with little emotional investment in their journeys.”
    • “The plot twists are predictable and fail to deliver any real surprises or excitement.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, often leading to frustration and anger, especially when trying to unlock certain content.

    • “Grinding can get quite deadly tedious and make you rage if you're trying to unlock everything.”
    • “The repetitive nature of grinding makes it feel more like a chore than a fun game mechanic.”
    • “I found the grinding to be excessively time-consuming, which detracted from my overall enjoyment of the game.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in "Haunted Castle" stems from its intentionally frustrating gameplay, where players often find it more amusing to embrace defeat rather than attempt to dodge seemingly unavoidable enemies. This absurdity adds a comedic layer to the challenge, making the experience both difficult and entertaining.

    • “The haunted castle was hilariously difficult; sometimes, enemies are impossible to dodge. It's often better to just accept a death at the start of a level and then run through it, taking the hits without fighting.”
    • “The game's humor shines through in its quirky character interactions and absurd situations that keep you laughing even during the toughest challenges.”
    • “I love how the dialogue is filled with witty one-liners and puns that make every encounter entertaining, turning even the most mundane tasks into a comedic experience.”
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Critic Reviews

66% average critic score

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