Arcade Paradise

Arcade Paradise is a first-person managerial simulation where the player takes on the role of Ashley, tasked by their father to manage a struggling laundromat in the 1990s. The twist comes in secretly transforming the business into a thriving arcade paradise by balancing mundane laundry tasks with restoring and playing over 35 retro-styled arcade cabinets. As profits grow, players can expand their arcade empire, customize their space, and ultimately abandon the drudgery of laundry altogether to create their ultimate gaming sanctuary.

Arcade Paradise: Review

Arcade Paradise, developed by Nosebleed Interactive and published by Wired Productions, is a business simulation game that allows players to transform a struggling laundromat into a thriving arcade. Set in the 1990s, the game combines elements of management simulation with a nostalgic love letter to the arcade era. This review will delve into the game’s development history, narrative themes, gameplay mechanics, world-building, critical reception, and its place in video game history.

Development History & Context

Nosebleed Interactive, based in Newcastle upon Tyne, aimed to create a game that captured the essence of the 1990s arcade scene. The studio initially considered setting the game in a video rental store or a pizzeria but ultimately chose a laundromat after discovering the King Wash Laundromat asset pack for the Unreal Engine. Despite using Unreal Engine assets, the game itself was developed using the Unity game engine. The choice of a mundane job setting was deliberate, intended to highlight the allure of arcade games.

The game was unveiled at the Electronic Entertainment Experience 2021 (E3 2021) and released on August 11, 2022, for multiple platforms, including Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. It later became available on Amazon Luna and Google Stadia on October 13, 2022. The game features voice acting by Doug Cockle, known for his role as Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher series, who plays the role of Gerald, the player character’s father.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot and Characters

Arcade Paradise follows Ashley Goldman, a young adult tasked with running the family laundromat, King Wash, while their father, Gerald, is away. Ashley discovers arcade games in the back room and decides to convert the laundromat into an arcade to prove Gerald wrong. The narrative centers around Ashley’s journey to build a successful arcade business, with the help of their sister Lesley and other characters.

Dialogue and Themes

The game’s dialogue is filled with nostalgia and humor, often poking fun at the mundane tasks of running a laundromat. The themes revolve around work-life balance, the struggle between personal passions and familial expectations, and the joy of retro gaming. The narrative explores Ashley’s growth from a lazy young adult to a determined entrepreneur, highlighting the challenges and rewards of pursuing one’s dreams.

Key Moments

One of the standout moments in the game is when Gerald discovers Ashley’s secret arcade and threatens to sell it off. This event forces Ashley to confront their father and ultimately leads to a heartfelt reconciliation. The game also features side quests and mini-games that add depth to the narrative, such as investing in a friend’s video game company, which pays off later in the story.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loop

Arcade Paradise combines management simulation with quick-time events and arcade game mini-games. Players control Ashley from a first-person perspective, performing tasks such as doing laundry, taking out the garbage, cleaning chewing gum from surfaces, and emptying coin hoppers. The game’s UI is straightforward, with a to-do list that guides players through daily tasks and goals.

Combat and Character Progression

While there is no traditional combat, the game features quick-time events during certain tasks, such as unclogging the toilet or fixing broken arcade machines. Character progression is tied to the arcade’s success, with players earning money to purchase new arcade machines and upgrades. Each arcade game has its own set of goals and high scores to achieve, adding a layer of depth to the gameplay.

Innovative and Flawed Systems

One of the game’s innovative features is the ability to play each arcade game, with some supporting local multiplayer for up to four players. However, the game has been criticized for its pacing issues, with long periods of waiting for income to trickle in. Some reviewers have noted that the laundromat management tasks can become repetitive and tedious, detracting from the overall experience.

World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting and Atmosphere

Arcade Paradise is set in the sleepy town of Grindstone, known primarily for its meat factory. The game’s setting is a blend of typical 1990s culture and technology, featuring elements from the ’70s to the early ’00s. The laundromat and arcade are filled with nostalgic details, such as Windows 95-inspired computers and dial-up internet connections.

Visual Direction

The game’s visual style is a mix of 3D models and pixelated characters, with a focus on capturing the retro aesthetic of the 1990s. The arcade machines are detailed and fully playable, ranging from early vector graphics to 32-bit graphics. The game’s art direction successfully evokes a sense of nostalgia, with vibrant colors and neon lights that bring the arcade to life.

Sound Design

The soundtrack is a highlight of the game, featuring tracks inspired by the early 1990s. The jukebox in the arcade allows players to choose from a variety of songs, adding to the immersive experience. The sound effects are also well-designed, with satisfying sounds for completing tasks and achieving high scores in the arcade games.

Reception & Legacy

Critical and Commercial Reception

Arcade Paradise received mixed to generally favorable reviews from critics. Metacritic aggregate scores range from 72 out of 100 for Windows to 83 out of 100 for Nintendo Switch. Reviewers praised the game’s nostalgic appeal and the creativity of the arcade games but criticized the repetitive laundromat tasks and pacing issues. The game was featured in GameSpot’s Best of 2022 and was called “2022’s most underrated game” by Digital Trends.

Influence on Subsequent Games and the Industry

Arcade Paradise has influenced subsequent games by showcasing the potential of combining management simulation with nostalgic gaming experiences. The game’s success has led to multiple downloadable content (DLC) packages, including licensed arcade games like Kung Fury: Street Rage. The game’s legacy lies in its ability to capture the essence of the 1990s arcade scene and provide a unique gaming experience that appeals to both retro enthusiasts and casual gamers.

Conclusion

Arcade Paradise is a unique and nostalgic gaming experience that successfully combines management simulation with retro arcade gaming. The game’s strengths lie in its creative arcade games, immersive world-building, and heartfelt narrative. However, it is not without its flaws, with repetitive tasks and pacing issues detracting from the overall experience. Despite these shortcomings, Arcade Paradise stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of retro gaming and its place in video game history. For those looking for a fun and nostalgic gaming experience, Arcade Paradise is a must-play.