Skip to main content

Arcadecraft

57%Game Brain Score
gameplay
replayability, grinding
57% User Score Based on 122 reviews

Platforms

PCPCWindowsWindowsXboxXboxXbox 360Xbox 360
Buy Nowfrom $2.13
Buy NowGet on Steam$9.99

About

"Arcadecraft" is a simulation game that lets you manage your own arcade business in the 1980's. Buy and place over 100 unique arcade machines, customize your arcade's appearance, and manage finances to become successful. Overcome challenges such as broken machines and jammed coin slots while interacting with in-game characters like the Game Collector and Import Salesman.

Genres & Tags
Play Modes
Arcadecraft screenshot
Arcadecraft screenshot
Arcadecraft screenshot
Arcadecraft screenshot
Arcadecraft screenshot
Arcadecraft screenshot
Arcadecraft screenshot
Arcadecraft screenshot
Arcadecraft screenshot
Arcadecraft screenshot

57%
Audience ScoreBased on 122 reviews
gameplay5 positive mentions
replayability4 negative mentions
  • The game captures the nostalgia of running an arcade in the 80s, providing a fun and engaging experience for players who remember that era.
  • Gameplay is addictive and offers a variety of arcade machines to manage, allowing for creative placement and customization of the arcade.
  • The game is easy to pick up and play, making it accessible for casual gamers while still providing some strategic elements.
  • The game becomes repetitive and lacks depth after the initial years, leading to a decline in engagement once players have paid off their loans.
  • There are significant issues with difficulty balance, making it either too hard in the beginning or too easy later on, which detracts from the overall experience.
  • Limited features and a lack of updates from the developers leave the game feeling incomplete, with little replay value and few opportunities for expansion.
  • gameplay
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay is generally enjoyable and retains its fun factor from years past, featuring simple mechanics that can become tedious over time. While the original concept is appreciated, many players find the gameplay lacks depth and detail, making it feel limited and basic. Overall, it offers a solid experience but may not satisfy those seeking more complexity or innovation.

    • “The gameplay is just as fun as it was a decade or so ago.”
    • “The idea and gameplay were pretty original.”
    • “The gameplay is great fun.”
    • “The mechanics are pretty simple but get tedious after a while.”
    • “The base gameplay is solid but is lacking details.”
    • “If you're looking for depth of story or gameplay, don't darken its doorstep.”
  • replayability
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game suffers from a significant lack of replayability, with many players noting that once they complete the main content, there is little incentive to return. The repetitive gameplay, absence of randomization, and limited events contribute to a feeling that the experience is more of a one-time playthrough rather than a game worth revisiting. While enjoyable initially, the lack of new challenges or achievements diminishes its long-term appeal.

    • “The problem is that once you've played it through once and gotten the achievements, the only replay value is trying to beat your high score (in terms of cash).”
    • “Once completed the game has little replay value which is a shame, and the game has so much potential to improve and expand on the basics that are there.”
    • “It also feels like someone's final project, not to mention its replayability is zero since once you finish years 1980 to 1987 there's nothing else to get or achieve other than try to last until you lose.”
    • “Once completed, the game has little replay value which is a shame, and the game has so much potential to improve and expand on the basics that are there.”
    • “Enjoyable the first time through, but lack of randomization, too few games, too few events, really kill the replay value.”
  • grinding
    9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and repetitive, often leading to a sense of busywork rather than enjoyment. While it may appeal to casual gamers initially, the lack of engaging mechanics and camera control contributes to a monotonous experience that can detract from the overall fun. Many reviewers express disappointment that what starts as an interesting simulation quickly devolves into a grind for resources and progress.

    • “The mechanics are pretty simple but get tedious after a while.”
    • “The game starts off well enough, but after half an hour you've seen everything and you are just grinding to the end.”
    • “It's just tedious busywork stopping you from leaving the game running.”
  • music
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music aspect of the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the jukebox feature that allows syncing with their own music libraries, particularly enjoying the addition of 80's tracks to enhance the gaming experience. However, some users noted the drawback of the PC port lacking custom avatars and music options. Overall, the game's atmosphere and mechanics are complemented by carefully chosen music, making it a significant part of the enjoyment.

    • “This music can easily be found: just launch Spotify and search playlists named 'arcadecraft'.”
    • “The only drawback of the PC port is the exclusion of custom avatars and music on the jukebox.”
    • “I still love the game for itself, the atmosphere, the mechanics, the arcade games, and moreover, for the music that's not in it: play the game with some carefully chosen 80's music, and the whole becomes a tremendous experience.”
    • “With the 80's arcade room background, you can find music that fits the game so well, that you'll end up launching the game just for the pair it forms with the music.”
  • graphics
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics are described as clean and colorful, supporting high resolutions up to 1920 x 1080, but overall production values are considered average. While players can customize their arcade with various aesthetic upgrades, the lack of detailed animations for customer interactions detracts from the visual experience. Despite these shortcomings, the game effectively communicates important details through its graphics style.

    • “The graphics are nicely done, clean and colorful.”
    • “As you progress, you can customize your arcade with neon lights, wall graphics, different color schemes, jukebox machines, vending machines, and even limited Japanese import cabinets acquired through a special dealer.”
    • “Finally, the production values here are not extremely stellar, and the upgrades you're allowed to make to your arcade for aesthetics just feel kind of cheap.”
    • “Customers teleport (you'd think with fancy 3D graphics it might have some walking animations, but nope) into a machine, play a bit, and then back out. Occasionally, one will hit a machine, and you'll have to throw him out; that's as far as the customer interaction goes.”
    • “The graphics and sound are decent, and the game supports 1920 x 1080 and even higher resolutions.”
  • atmosphere
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its engaging mechanics and the ability to customize various elements, such as decor and food selection, which enhance the overall experience. Players also recommend pairing the game with 80's music to elevate the ambiance further, creating a unique and immersive environment.

    • “Being able to pick the games you place, the atmosphere, decor, ticket prices, food/beer selection, advertising and promoting it, and being able to throw private parties at one... these are all exciting and intriguing ideas to me.”
    • “I still love the game for itself, the atmosphere, the mechanics, the arcade games, and moreover, for the music that's not in it: play the game with some carefully chosen 80's music, and the whole becomes a tremendous experience.”
    • “Being able to pick the games you place, the atmosphere, decorum, ticket prices, food/beer selection, advertising and promoting it, being able to throw private parties at one... these are all exciting and intriguing ideas to me.”
  • story
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story aspect of the game is criticized for lacking depth, with users suggesting that it is not a focal point and may not appeal to those seeking a rich narrative experience.

    • “If you're looking for depth of story or gameplay, don't darken its doorstep.”
  • monetization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users find the monetization aspect appealing due to the flexibility it offers in customizing game experiences, including choices in atmosphere, decor, ticket pricing, food and beverage options, and promotional activities, as well as the potential for hosting private events.

Buy Arcadecraft

Videos

Games Like Arcadecraft

Arcade Tycoon Image
81%354reviews

Arcade Tycoon

2021Casual Strategy
PCPCWindowsWindows
Game Corp DX Image
88%2kreviews

Game Corp DX

2015Simulation
Mac OSMac OSPCPCWindowsWindows+1
Mad Games Tycoon Image
88%1.5kreviews

Mad Games Tycoon

2016Casual Simulation
Mac OSMac OSNintendo SwitchNintendo SwitchPCPC+5
Mad Games Tycoon 2 Image
93%3.6kreviews

Mad Games Tycoon 2

2023Casual Strategy
Mac OSMac OSPCPCWindowsWindows
Youtubers Life Image
77%14.1kreviews

Youtubers Life

2017Casual Simulation
Mac OSMac OSPCPCSteam DeckSteam Deck+2
City Game Studio Image
90%602reviews

City Game Studio

2021Casual City Builder
Mac OSMac OSPCPCPhonePhone+4
Game Dev Tycoon Image
93%21.3kreviews

Game Dev Tycoon

2013Casual Management
iPhoneiPhoneMac OSMac OSNintendo SwitchNintendo Switch+8
Two Point Campus Image
85%2.8kreviews

Two Point Campus

2022Casual Strategy
Mac OSMac OSNintendo SwitchNintendo SwitchPCPC+10
Basement Image
68%1.6kreviews

Basement

2019Strategy
Mac OSMac OSPCPCWindowsWindows+1
Chef: A Restaurant Tycoon Game Image
73%1.4kreviews

Chef: A Restaurant Tycoon Game

2020Simulation
PCPCWindowsWindows