Arcade Paradise

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,477 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • gameplay
Arcade Paradise Game Cover
Arcade Paradise not only looks cool, but the running of your business is fun and enjoyable, and the arcade games are wonderfully designed.
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"Arcade Paradise" is a simulation game where you manage a rundown laundromat, turning it into a thriving arcade business. You'll scour the world for classic arcade games, fix them up, and create a gaming oasis in the 90s. With a variety of machines to collect, and a rich story to explore, Arcade Paradise offers a unique blend of business management and nostalgic gaming.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Game Pass
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,477 reviews
story98 positive mentions
grinding120 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique concept of running a laundromat while managing and playing arcade games, providing a fun and nostalgic experience.
  • The variety of playable arcade games is impressive, with many clever adaptations of classic titles that keep the gameplay engaging.
  • The overall aesthetic and soundtrack effectively capture the 80s and 90s arcade vibe, enhancing the nostalgic feel of the game.
  • The laundry tasks can become tedious and repetitive, often interrupting the enjoyment of playing arcade games.
  • Some arcade games have bugs and control issues that can detract from the overall experience.
  • The game lacks depth in management options, offering limited customization and strategic elements for running the arcade.
  • story310 mentions

    The story in "Arcade Paradise" is surprisingly engaging, blending humor and family drama as players navigate the challenges of running a laundromat and building an arcade. Many reviewers found the narrative emotionally impactful, with relatable themes of teenage angst and personal growth, although some noted that the story could feel minimal or lack depth at times. Overall, while the gameplay is often highlighted as the main draw, the story adds a meaningful layer that enhances the experience.

    • “The story and background lore is engaging, and I enjoy the humor in all the little interactions.”
    • “The story was way better than I thought it was going to be; it definitely got me in the feels more than once.”
    • “The progression from a tiny closet space with a couple of machines to a full arcade is pretty crazy, the vibes are off the charts, and the story that rolls along with it is actually very emotional and packs a couple of twists you might not see coming.”
    • “However, there are some things that I wasn't a big fan of, those being the aspects of the arcade pieces that I didn't like, the overall kind of clunkiness of the game, and the fact that the story is a little lackluster and that there isn't a whole lot to do after the story is finished.”
    • “The story feels like you have no control and are railroaded into a single path.”
    • “But the weakest aspect in the game by far is the story.”
  • music188 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its nostalgic and immersive qualities, featuring a mix of catchy retro tracks and original compositions that enhance the overall atmosphere. Players appreciate the jukebox feature, which allows them to control the soundtrack while engaging in various arcade activities, creating a fun and engaging experience. However, some users noted issues with menu music volume and a desire for more music options, but overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout element of the game.

    • “With its effortlessly chill vibe and immersive synth/retrowave soundtrack, it's the perfect retreat for relaxation!”
    • “The music and overall vibe of the game is amazing, there's no questioning that.”
    • “The variety in the playable arcade games and the kick-ass faux-90s soundtrack make this one easy to recommend, particularly if you grew up loving arcades.”
    • “I'm having the same problem as another user, where the menu music is at full volume and sometimes doubles or triples itself.”
    • “The menu music is not affected by any of the sound sliders.”
    • “Maybe the downtime for the game would be better if there was a banging soundtrack I could jam out to while waiting for that next load of laundry to dry, but even the music sucks in this game.”
  • gameplay166 mentions

    The gameplay in "Arcade Paradise" is a mixed bag, with many players finding the initial laundry management loop tedious and repetitive, often overshadowing the more enjoyable arcade mini-games. While some appreciate the gradual progression and the unique arcade experiences, others criticize the lack of depth and the grindy nature of unlocking new content. Overall, the game offers a blend of tycoon and arcade mechanics, but struggles to maintain engagement due to its mundane chores and clunky controls.

    • “The starting basic gameplay loop of doing the laundry is a touch tiring after a while, but as you slowly build up your arcade and get some arcade machines you really enjoy and some great songs on the jukebox (highly recommend getting this as early as possible, the music is great background for the rest of the gameplay), it really becomes a great time.”
    • “The story is much better than I would have expected, and the gameplay (even doing laundry!) is surprisingly engaging, with the game motivating you to go around playing all the different games.”
    • “Between the awesome art style and insanely addicting gameplay loop, I cannot recommend this title enough.”
    • “The gameplay loop is boring and repetitive, and they need to remove the laundry bit or let you hire an employee and promise things in the future.”
    • “The gameplay loop is infuriating.”
    • “The laundry gameplay loop is what kills this game for me, and unfortunately the arcade aesthetic doesn't save it.”
  • grinding124 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with many players finding the initial laundry tasks tedious and repetitive, which can detract from the overall enjoyment. While some appreciate the grind as a means to unlock and expand the arcade, others feel it becomes overly monotonous and lacks sufficient rewards to justify the effort. Overall, the grind can be addictive for those who enjoy it, but it may frustrate players seeking a more dynamic experience.

    • “Not too grindy.”
    • “The small arcade games are legit, and the tedious laundry minigame wears out its welcome just around the same time it becomes irrelevant to progression.”
    • “The gameplay loop was tedious and boring; I spent more time worrying about laundry than actually having fun.”
    • “I am no stranger to grinding in games - as a matter of fact, I rather enjoy it - but the problem with Arcade Paradise is that there is not enough satisfaction, fun, or content to be had in the running of the laundromat portion of the game to justify grinding out the machines with hard work.”
  • graphics115 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their retro aesthetic, effectively capturing the nostalgic feel of 80s and 90s arcades, with vibrant visuals and smooth performance. While some players noted minor texture quality issues and a lack of modern graphical fidelity, the overall art style and sound design contribute to an immersive experience that resonates with fans of classic arcade games. Despite some criticisms regarding the simplicity of certain in-game graphics, the developers are commended for their attention to detail and the nostalgic atmosphere they create.

    • “The graphics and sound are really well done and genuinely transported me back to the 1980s/90s.”
    • “Overall, the development team did a great job with the graphics of Arcade Paradise.”
    • “Fabulous music, gorgeous visuals, playable engaging arcade games, and absolutely rock solid top-notch performance.”
    • “The texture quality leaves a lot to be desired, especially for things like the board where people have their ads for missing dogs or little tidbits of information which are fun to uncover.”
    • “If playing knockoff arcade games, with worse graphics and mechanics than the originals, are your fetish... this game is for you.”
    • “But as a kid who grew up in the 90s with arcades, I know the graphics were way better in real life than this game would have you believe.”
  • stability37 mentions

    The game has been reported to have a variety of bugs and glitches, particularly with the interface and interactions, such as picking up trash and using cabinets. While many players find these issues to be minor and manageable, they can hinder the overall experience. Despite the bugs, the game runs well on platforms like the Steam Deck, and recent patches have addressed some of the more significant problems.

    • “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “Runs great on Deck and it's a nice game to have on the go.”
    • “The only problem is the amount of bugs and glitches I came across that hindered the experience.”
    • “Nice concept but the interface was too clunky, unfinished, and buggy to enjoy.”
    • “Game is a bit buggy, some visual glitches and sometimes game-breaking problems.”
  • atmosphere34 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its nostalgic charm, effectively capturing the essence of 80s and 90s arcades through detailed visuals, engaging soundtracks, and a vibrant in-game world. Players appreciate the immersive experience that evokes fond memories of arcade culture, although some note that the fading NPCs can create a sense of loneliness. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered a standout feature, enhancing both enjoyment and relaxation while playing.

    • “The atmosphere is top notch, and the look of the game is great.”
    • “Incredible aesthetic and vibes, has a great atmosphere, and very enjoyable!”
    • “The whole atmosphere of the game puts you in a good place and I find it's a great game to just chill out to.”
    • “I'm also not a fan of how the NPCs fade away when you get too close; it gives off a very lonely and deserted feeling to the atmosphere.”
    • “I'm an original arcade rat from the golden age of the early 1980s, and the atmosphere and attention to detail in this game are tremendous.”
    • “The feel of the atmosphere, though, is straight out of the late 80s-90s that draws people in.”
  • humor24 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its relatability and cleverness, with players enjoying the engaging story, satirical interactions, and nostalgic references to 80s and 90s arcade culture. Many found the NPC interactions amusing, particularly the comedic elements of managing the arcade and the humorous song remakes. Overall, the humor adds a delightful layer to the gameplay, enhancing the experience with its attention to detail and family dynamics.

    • “The humor is relatable and funny; I assume many of us (definitely not all) have gone through that stage of our lives where our parents think we'll amount to nothing.”
    • “The humor is on point, and the whole game is a love letter to the 80s/90s and arcades.”
    • “The story within Arcade Paradise adds a bit of humor and family drama that enhances the overall gameplay.”
  • emotional22 mentions

    The game is praised for its surprisingly heartfelt and charming narrative, which effectively captures the emotional journey of growing an arcade and developing relationships. Players find the story relatable and touching, with unexpected twists that enhance its emotional impact, making it a soothing and nostalgic experience. Overall, the emotional depth and engaging storyline leave a lasting impression, surprising many with its ability to evoke genuine feelings.

    • “It's surprisingly heartfelt and charming watching your arcade grow as the main character develops their relationships.”
    • “The progression from a tiny closet space with a couple of machines to a full arcade is pretty crazy; the vibes are off the charts, and the story that rolls along with it is actually very emotional and packs a couple of twists you might not see coming.”
    • “The story is really well done and more emotionally impactful than you would expect.”
  • optimization22 mentions

    The game's optimization is highly praised, with users reporting smooth performance at 144 fps on maximum settings even on mid-range hardware, and consistent performance across platforms, including the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck. While the overall optimization is solid, some minor graphical glitches, such as characters fading out, were noted but are seen as acceptable trade-offs for maintaining performance. Overall, the game stands out for its impressive optimization in a landscape where many titles struggle in this area.

    • “The game ran at a buttery smooth 144 fps and maximum settings (1080p) despite not having top-of-the-line equipment, which is quite good to see in a time of so many games coming out unoptimized.”
    • “The optimization is good; I'm not playing it on the best computer and it maintains a good fps the entire time.”
    • “Fabulous music, gorgeous visuals, playable engaging arcade games, and absolutely rock solid top-notch performance (something of a true rarity in the usual 'sim' genre, where performance routinely falls by the wayside).”
    • “So many laundry actions without any in-game optimizations.”
    • “The only con I have with the game is the people who come into the laundry/arcade; the way they fade out like a glitch and disappear when going near them slightly takes you out of the game, but it's only a small gripe and I'm assuming this was done for performance reasons!”
    • “So far performance is just fine, running it on Steam Deck at 56-60 fps with default settings.”
  • replayability12 mentions

    Overall, the game offers significant replayability through its engaging story and a variety of playable mini-games, which transform mundane tasks into enjoyable challenges. While some players find the cleaning mechanics less appealing, the daily objectives and the ability to fine-tune and play arcade games contribute to a strong replay value. However, opinions vary, with some noting that certain aspects may lack depth in replayability.

    • “The story is satisfying, there are lots of fun games, and the replayability factor is huge.”
    • “I love how it turns even the most mundane things into a mini-game, cleaning the toilet, laundry, trash, and debugging are all an intuitive mini-game that adds that much more replayability for me.”
    • “The loop of cleaning clothing is not that fun and the games don't really have that much replay value.”
    • “So even if you do get all the goals done, the daily to-do's give you lots of replay value to going back and playing those machines.”
    • “All the games are playable and you can get more and more games.”
  • monetization12 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has received criticism for its reliance on microtransactions, which some players feel resembles a pay-to-win model. While the base game is enjoyable, the DLC is viewed as a cash grab, and the overall management options lack variety, contributing to a less engaging experience. Players are advised to purchase the base game but to steer clear of additional content.

    • “No advertising, aside from a single buy-once powerup that improves your popularity.”
    • “Almost like a pay-to-win business model based heavily on microtransactions?”
    • “Oh boy, more microtransactions.”
    • “Tldr: buy base game for fun, avoid the DLC as it is just a cash grab.”
    • “Almost like a pay to win business model based heavily on microtransactions?”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

72% average critic score

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Play time

14hMedian play time
16hAverage play time
12-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 16 analyzed playthroughs

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