Antstream Arcade (Xbox) Review

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Video game preservation has become a hot topic among gaming communities in recent years, driven by the resurgence of retro game collecting and the subsequent increase in physical game prices both online and locally. Various companies are now producing home game consoles and portables, offering players the opportunity to enjoy their original cartridges and, ideally, non-decaying CDs/DVDs. Additionally, some platforms facilitate digital backups, sparing players from the challenge of dealing with aging games that become increasingly fragile due to physical degradation over time. However, the use of emulators and illegally obtained ROMs remains a controversial gray area, largely due to copyright concerns.

Game Library and Content

Crowdfunded through Kickstarter, Antstream Arcade aims to evoke powerful nostalgia by offering a live streaming service focusing primarily on retro video games, complemented by several retro-inspired indie games, such as Flea! (NES), Golden Wing (Amiga), and Rune Master (MSX). Currently available on PC, Mac, Linux, Android, Firestick, and your web browser (beta), Antstream Arcade boasts a games library of 1,470 titles (according to the official website). It's worth noting that this number includes games available across multiple platforms. On Xbox, the game icon advertises "play over 1,300" titles. As with any streaming service, the number represents the total number of games, but not the unique number of games on the service. Licensing plays a crucial role in availability, and not all titles accessible on PC are currently accessible on Xbox. Notably, Namco-developed/published arcade titles such as Pac-Man, Galaga, Dig Dug, Splatterhouse, and more have been removed from the service on Xbox (at the time of this review) due to ongoing licensing complications between Namco and Microsoft, as disclosed by developers on the official Discord.

Besides the aforementioned indie games, Antstream Arcade's library offers a diverse selection of games spanning the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. The collection heavily features arcade titles, early home consoles, and PCs like the Amiga, Commodore 64, and the ZX Spectrum, along with a smattering of games from other platforms such as the MSX/MSX2, NES, SNES, Atari 2600/7800, Sega Genesis, and more. Personally, I was pleasantly surprised to rediscover DOS-based LucasArts Games that I have very fond memories of playing, including classics like The Secret of Monkey Island, Day of the Tentacle, Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis, and even the three Super Star Wars (SNES) titles. While new games are consistently added on a weekly basis, it's important to note that the focus of Antstream Arcade lies in providing an authentic arcade preservation experience rather than offering entire console libraries. And in this regard, it certainly does not disappoint.

Interface and Navigation

The greatest appeal of Antstream Arcade lies in the seamless and swift transition into gameplay. Within seconds, I found myself immersed in Earthworm Jim (SNES/Genesis), battling an evil army in SNK's Sengoku (Arcade), or defending humanity from robots in Robotron: 2084 (Commodore 64). However, the UI navigation could use some refinement. While browsing through various genres listed on the main screen adds an element of excitement, the absence of dedicated platform or genre pages may require users to master the search function to locate specific games.

The search feature proves to be potent and effectively displays relevant games categorized by publishers, genres, platforms, or year released. One peculiar aspect is the list of players appearing above the game results, which seems unnecessary as players typically search for games rather than other users. For instance, searching for "irem," synonymous with classic shoot-'em-ups, yields game results for Captain Dynamo due to the game's description containing the word "retirement," while the 16 games listed under Irem as a publisher can be found underneath. Although the search results display all versions of games (if available on multiple platforms), the UI layout occasionally covers the platform ribbon on the game thumbnails with the challenge rocketship icon.

Technical Performance and Controls

Despite being streamed, I have not encountered any noticeable latency issues in the almost 300 different games I've played so far on Antstream Arcade. The service automatically selects the best server location for optimal performance, but users also have the option to manually choose their preferred server location. The connection test provides valuable insights into various aspects, including bandwidth, streaming capability, packet loss, input, and connection quality.

With a strong emphasis on authenticity, the platform strives to preserve the original gaming experience. For example, titles like Double Dragon (Arcade) retain any slowdowns present in the original game. As a result, users shouldn't expect performance enhancements or modern emulation options. The sole in-game option available allows users to adjust the game's volume, maintaining the original gameplay as closely as possible.

The platform provides four save slots, though some users have reported inconsistent functionality on Xbox. The UI for saving can be unintuitive; pausing the game allows users to save, but selecting "save" from the pause menu does nothing - instead, users need to use the plus symbols indicating different save slots.

Control schemes are displayed upon launching each game, but the platform does not offer control remapping or turbo button options. This limitation affects certain three-button arcade games that could benefit from more intuitive button layouts. For instance, Genesis/Mega Drive games use an X, A, B configuration instead of the potentially more intuitive X, Y, B setup.

Challenges and Community Features

The challenge system adds a compelling competitive element to the service. Supported titles offer various challenges with different gem requirements. Players can compete for leaderboard positions, challenge friends to beat their scores/times, or engage in community-wide battles like Giant Slayer. Duels pit players against a single opponent, with each betting an equal amount of gems and the winner claiming the entire pool. The recent players list ensures you always have someone to compete with, even without in-game friends.

Giant Slayer mode particularly stands out, allowing one player to compete against the entire community by posting a challenging score that others must try to beat. These time-limited challenges create a constant stream of new events and foster an engaged community. Score-based challenges limit you to a single life, adding tension and encouraging "one more try" attempts.

Subscription Model and Pricing

Antstream Arcade offers two main subscription options: a yearly subscription at $29.99 or a lifetime subscription at $79.99. Each provides unlimited access to the platform's extensive game collection. However, there's no upgrade path between tiers - choosing to switch from yearly to lifetime requires paying the full lifetime fee without credit for previous payments.

The gem currency system functions differently on Xbox compared to PC. While PC users can earn gems to play games without a subscription, Xbox subscribers get unrestricted access to the entire library, with gems primarily used for tournaments and challenges. The daily login bonus provides additional gems, though Xbox Series X|S users need to fully close and restart the game to claim this reward when using Quick Resume.

Technical Limitations and Audio-Visual Quality

While Antstream Arcade achieves impressive input lag-free streaming, this comes with some trade-offs in visual and audio quality. The impact varies by game type and on-screen action complexity. Players may encounter screen tearing, blurry visuals, and occasional poor image quality. These issues are less noticeable in slower-paced games like Bubble Bobble (Arcade) but become more apparent in fast-paced titles like Mortal Kombat (Arcade), where compression artifacts are visible around character edges.

Some games have had music removed due to licensing issues, such as Spy Hunter (Arcade), and occasional audio glitches occur with sound effects. These audio issues typically resolve after restarting the application.

Simply Put

Antstream Arcade stands as a commendable effort in game preservation, making classic games accessible to future generations. With over 1,300 games available and regular weekly additions, the service offers excellent value through its reasonable subscription options. While licensing issues may occasionally affect game availability, and the interface could benefit from some refinements, these minor drawbacks don't significantly impact the overall experience. The platform successfully balances gaming nostalgia with modern convenience, creating an engaging way to explore and enjoy retro gaming history.

Note: Antstream Arcade (Xbox) was reviewed on Xbox Series X. A digital copy of the game was provided by the publisher/developer.