Arcade Paradise Reviews

Arcade Paradise is ranked in the 63rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
6.5 / 10.0
Apr 17, 2023

Arcana of Paradise – The Tower is a decent addition to any roguelike deckbuilder fan's library. With its real-time gameplay adding tension to what is generally a slower, more tactical affair, it's a refreshing twist on the formula. The inventive combination of card-based gameplay and puzzles also incentivises experimentation in an interesting way. Unfortunately, despite its gameplay strengths and gorgeous presentation, the shallow setting and lack of sufficient encounter variety cause the experience to become repetitive after only a few hours.

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8.1 / 10.0
Aug 12, 2022

If you have nostalgia for the classic arcades of the 80s and early 90s the chance to run one of your own is tempting...

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7 / 10.0
Aug 18, 2022

Arcade Paradise might be a great game if you have a huge soft spot for the arcade era and doesn’t mind a very superficial management game. Although for me — someone who lived largely detached from that universe — it felt like a chore.

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7 / 10.0
Sep 2, 2022

Arcade Paradise is a fantastic attempt at producing a simulation slash compilation title, but unfortunately has a few failings which stop it from being a World Warrior.  The lack of punishment should you choose to neglect the Laundromat gives the game a real half-baked feel. Beyond that, the fact there isn't any representation for key arcade genres such as Fighting Games and Rail Shooters puts a downer on anyone whose arcade experience wasn't dominated by Match 3 puzzle games and Missile Command. Arcade Paradise is still a fun title and is an excellent stepping stone to what could be a true arcade gamer's paradise. It's part simulation, part retro, and full neon-soaked good time. Sadly, it just doesn't simulate the arcade experience I had and at times feels as deep as the shallow end of the shower.

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7 / 10.0
Aug 25, 2022

There is a big collection of arcade units to acquire in the game, ranging from games that look similar to GTA but play like PAC Man, to a Frogger-style game or something like Candy Crush. Playing the games is fun but you will need to stop quite frequently to tend to your main source of income – the washing and drying. Arcade Paradise is a working simulator after all. Sure, you could play a game the whole shift and not earn any money, but then progression is slowed right down as your only income is the coin hoppers from the arcade. Balancing gaming and working is the go-to action needed to keep a decent and steady income.

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3.5 / 5.0
Aug 29, 2022

Arcade Paradise is a fantastic management sim for those who love the genre. It may be asking a lot of players to prioritize other people’s laundry over games upfront, but the payoff is a literal heaven for those who have always wished to build their own arcade and play every game within it for free. If you enjoy a good management sim and love the idea of hopping from game to game to game as a major mechanic, Arcade Paradise is worth its weight in quarters.

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Aug 18, 2022

At WASD I thought this would be a game to look out for and I'm glad to have been proven right. Arcade Paradise is a masterpiece of how to mix both the simulation and retro genres together and not loose the vital elements. I can't put it down and for that reason, I award Arcade Paradise the Thumb Culture Platinum Award!

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Recommended
Aug 18, 2022

Arcade Paradise is fun for management sim players, arcade cabinet lovers, or even new players.The sim management gameplay is simple and light, the cabinets are all fun with natural progression, and the 90s nostalgia, while only effective for some, is spot on.

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9 / 10.0
Aug 11, 2022

With an unprecedented and, above all, very interesting proposal, Arcade Paradise is an adventure designed for all video game fans. Transforming the family laundry room into a veritable collection of video game machines is an exciting and addictive task. The variety of titles is great, as is the fun and challenge they provide. Even though it lacks customization options, we have here a must-have suggestion for your library.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Aug 12, 2022

Arcade Paradise is an amazing arcade management simulator that lets you not only manage, but also play a wide range of machines. Despite its somewhat repetitive routine at first, the thrill of building your dream arcade little by little and being able to play it and enjoy it with customers in a nostalgic setting is incredible. This game is a must for lovers of classic arcades and 1990s nostalgia.

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8 / 10
Aug 11, 2022

Arcade Paradise is a cracking laundry / arcade simulator that rewards you for your patience and dedication to the cause. Once the arcade opens up you’ll have an absolute blast finding your new favourite game in a huge selection of unique takes on old school classics. There’s a road to get there, but this one is all about the destination. A hugely rewarding, feel-good experience you have to play.

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Liked-a-lot
Aug 12, 2022

Arcade Paradise was quite a nice surprise for me. Trying one of these simulators can often feel like a roll of the dice. Not only that these types of games feel very marmite to gamers, some will love them some will hate them. A few glitches and bugs hold the game back from two thumbs up. However, there is something to be said for a game that turns tedious chores into something entertaining. I loved running the laundromat probably more than one should. But setting that aside the wide variety of arcade games to play alone in this experience is better than some retro collections available out there. 90s kid or not I found plenty to love in Arcade Paradise and see myself continuing to play it in the future.

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3 / 10.0
Aug 11, 2022

With bugs, crashes and far too much waiting around, Arcade Paradise really tries to capture some of the highs of old arcades but never really manages to understand the joy that comes from it.

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VGC
Top Critic
Aug 11, 2022

While it takes a while to get going, Arcade Paradise is an outstanding celebration of the '90s arcade scene with a generous helping of fully playable retro love letters.

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7.8 / 10.0
Aug 11, 2022

Ultimately, what you’ll get out of Arcade Paradise is your appetite for repetitive chores, at least at the start, and your love for the arcade experience. With the laundromat being the gateway to a fun and engaging management and simulator experience, it is well worth washing those dirty rags to allow our dreams of a bustling arcade to come to life. And like its real-life counterparts, there is certainly magic in these dimly lit halls, even if it ends up just a few steps short of paradise.

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7.6 / 10.0
Aug 11, 2022

Arcade Paradise is a delightful surprise. Full of wit, heart, and damned fun minigames it’s worth a purchase if the thought of an idle-style laundromat management sim full of fun as hell arcade games sounds enticing.

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7 / 10.0
Aug 11, 2022

If this was just an Arcade management game, it could’ve been one of the greats but the laundromat side of the business is tedious and unnecessarily time-consuming for the first few hours that makes you even hate Arcade Paradise in the beginning.

Review in Persian | Read full review