Arcade Paradise

90%
Game Brain Score Based on 731 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.

  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Cloud
  • Play​Station
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

90%
Audience ScoreBased on 731 reviews
story49 positive mentions
grinding60 negative mentions
  • The game features a unique concept of running a laundromat while managing and playing arcade games, providing a nostalgic experience.
  • The arcade games are fun and varied, with many being clever adaptations of classic titles, keeping players engaged.
  • The graphics and soundtrack effectively capture the 80s and 90s arcade vibe, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.
  • The laundry tasks can become tedious and repetitive, often interrupting gameplay and detracting from the arcade experience.
  • There are several bugs and glitches that can hinder gameplay, including issues with controls and game mechanics.
  • The management aspect of the game is quite shallow, lacking depth and customization options for the arcade itself.
  • story155 mentions

    The story in the game is surprisingly engaging, blending humor and emotional depth as players navigate the challenges of running an arcade while dealing with family dynamics, particularly a strained relationship with a father figure. Many reviewers noted that the narrative adds a meaningful layer to the gameplay, making it more than just a simple simulation, with some moments evoking strong emotional responses. While some found the story to be minimal or lacking in substance, the overall consensus is that it enhances the experience and keeps players invested throughout their journey.

    • “The story and background lore is engaging, and I enjoy the humor in all the little interactions.”
    • “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.”
    • “The story line is heartfelt and got me invested.”
    • “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.”
  • music93 mentions

    The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its nostalgic and immersive qualities, featuring a mix of catchy tracks that enhance the overall atmosphere. Players appreciate the retro-inspired soundtrack, which complements the arcade theme and adds to the game's charm, although some have noted issues with menu music volume and a desire for more variety. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, making the game enjoyable and engaging.

    • “With its effortlessly chill vibe and immersive synth/retrowave soundtrack, it's the perfect retreat for relaxation!”
    • “The music is amazing, the gameplay loop and setup works, the visual style is great and some of the arcade games are legitimately fun.”
    • “The nostalgia is real, the soundtrack is awesome.”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay81 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 unlocking of arcade machines and the engaging mechanics of the games themselves, others criticize the lack of depth and the grindy nature of the progression system. Overall, the game offers a blend of management and arcade gameplay that can be satisfying, but it struggles to maintain excitement due to its chore-like elements.

    • “The gameplay loop is surprisingly engaging, with the game motivating you to go around playing all the different games.”
    • “The arcade games are generally pretty enjoyable to play, and they bring some new gameplay elements to the table.”
    • “The core gameplay loop is solid here, using a fairly labor-intensive starting position as a source of funding for the actual game.”
    • “The gameplay loop is boring and repetitive; they need to remove the laundry bit or let you hire an employee and promise things in the future.”
    • “It's one of those games that you can get very excited for very quickly and see a lot of potential in what it could be, but then get deflated with the reality that it's just a bunch of minigames with chore mechanics in the way that get stale very quickly.”
    • “The laundry gameplay loop is what kills this game for me, and unfortunately, the arcade aesthetic doesn't save it.”
  • grinding62 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. However, as players progress and transition to managing the arcade, some find the grind rewarding, especially with the fun mini-games and the satisfaction of expanding their arcade. Overall, while the grinding can be excessive and frustrating for some, others appreciate the nostalgic charm and addictive nature of the gameplay loop.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “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 game play 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.”
  • graphics57 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 users 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 arcade mini-games' graphics, the game's visual presentation is generally considered a highlight, enhancing the nostalgic atmosphere.

    • “The aesthetics are retro, and I love how the place changes visually as you get further into the game.”
    • “Very addictive, with lavish visuals of all types to immerse you in the golden age of arcades.”
    • “The graphics and sound are really well done and genuinely transported me back to the 1980s/90s.”
    • “The texture quality leaves a lot to be desired, especially for elements like the board where people have their ads for missing dogs or little tidbits of information that 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.”
    • “Ultimately, I don't have the desire to keep playing the game as it makes you spam these Atari 2600 graphics games.”
  • stability18 mentions

    The game has been reported to have a variety of bugs and glitches, particularly with the interface and interactions, which can hinder the overall experience. While many players have noted that these issues are not game-breaking and can often be resolved with simple fixes, the game's stability remains a concern, especially shortly after its release. However, it 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 the 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, with some visual glitches and sometimes game-breaking problems.”
  • atmosphere17 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its nostalgic charm, effectively capturing the essence of classic arcades from the late 80s and early 90s. Reviewers highlight the attention to detail in the in-game world, including the aesthetic elements and soundtrack, which create an immersive and enjoyable experience. However, some players noted that the fading NPCs contribute to a sense of loneliness, slightly detracting from the otherwise vibrant atmosphere.

    • “The key points that I liked about the game are the charm and atmosphere surrounding the in-game world, some of the arcade pieces (i.e. the cabinets and other things one might find in an arcade), and the soundtrack.”
    • “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.”
    • “Incredible aesthetic and vibes, has a great atmosphere, and very enjoyable!”
    • “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.”
    • “The feel of the atmosphere, though, is straight out of the late 80s-90s that draws people in.”
    • “It seems like Arcade Paradise absolutely nails the atmosphere, the style, and the management sim sections without being dull or unpleasantly repetitive.”
  • humor12 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely praised for its relatability and cleverness, with players enjoying the engaging story, quirky NPC interactions, and satirical elements that reflect 80s/90s arcade culture. Many found the comedic aspects to enhance the overall gameplay experience, making it both entertaining and nostalgic. The attention to detail in humor, including funny song remakes and family dynamics, adds depth to the narrative.

    • “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.”
  • emotional11 mentions

    The game is praised for its surprisingly heartfelt and charming narrative, which effectively develops emotional connections as players grow their arcade and relationships. Reviewers highlight the touching story, unexpected twists, and the overall wholesome gameplay that evoke strong feelings, making it a memorable and relatable experience. Many found themselves emotionally invested, with some expressing surprise at the depth of the game's emotional impact.

    • “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 storyline is heartfelt and got me invested.”
  • optimization11 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 there are minor graphical glitches, they are seen as acceptable trade-offs for maintaining solid performance, making it a standout in its genre. Overall, the optimization is considered solid and a refreshing change in an era of poorly optimized games.

    • “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.”
    • “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!”
    • “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).”
  • replayability6 mentions

    Overall, the games offer significant replayability due to engaging storylines and a variety of fun mini-games, particularly with daily tasks that encourage players to return. However, some users feel that certain aspects, like the loop of cleaning tasks, may detract from the overall replay value. The unique feature of playable arcades adds a distinct layer of enjoyment and replayability compared to other titles.

    • “The story is satisfying, there are lots of fun games, and the replayability factor is huge.”
    • “So even if you do get all the goals done, the daily to-dos give you lots of replay value to go back and play those machines.”
    • “I love how it turns even the most mundane things into a mini-game; cleaning the toilet, laundry, trash, and debugging are all intuitive mini-games that add 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.”
    • “What truly sets it apart from all the others is that this time, the arcades you buy and fine-tune for customers... they're playable!”
    • “So even if you do get all the goals done, the daily to-dos give you lots of replay value to going back and playing those machines.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has received criticism for its reliance on microtransactions and perceived cash grabs, particularly through DLCs that feel unnecessary. While the base game is enjoyable, players find the management options lack variety and compare the arcade machines to intrusive mobile game ads. Overall, the monetization approach is seen as leaning towards a pay-to-win model, detracting from the overall experience.

    • “No advertising, aside from a single buy-once power-up that improves your popularity.”
    • “The monetization model is fair and doesn't pressure players into spending money.”
    • “The game offers optional purchases that enhance the experience without being intrusive.”
    • “Oh boy, more microtransactions.”
    • “TL;DR: Buy the 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 8 analyzed playthroughs

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