Arcade Paradise is a video game that allows players to manage and expand a retro arcade in the early ’90s.
Developed by Nosebleed Interactive and published by Wired Productions, the game combines elements of management simulation with the nostalgia of running a classic gaming arcade.
Arcade Paradise was initially released in 2022, and it quickly garnered a large following and strong review scores, leading to several DLC packages. However, it wasn’t until this year that I began to follow the game closely—yes, the announcement of a VR version was the reason behind that.
You will have to work hard to play hard.
From Laundry To Gaming…
Players start with a small, rundown laundromat and gradually transform it into a thriving arcade by purchasing and installing various retro-style arcade games.
To make your arcade popular, you’ll need to dive in yourself—play the games, unlock goals and missions, and handle some dirty work too, like picking up trash, repairing arcade game boards, cleaning toilets, and even doing other people’s laundry, all to ensure steady growth for your arcade.
The game also includes a surprisingly relatable story for gamers. With just shy of 40 arcade games to purchase, each one offering a unique experience, you’ll find that while some games are terrible, others are fantastic, which kept me motivated to collect them all.
There are also some secondary story elements. These involve a high-score chase, where “someone” sends you an email with a story about a challenger who dares you to beat their high score on a specific arcade machine. Once you surpass that challenge, a new one will appear.
Arcade Heaven?…
The PSVR2 version includes new content that isn’t available in the flat version, as well as content that was previously only accessible as paid DLC in the flat version. This makes it feel like the ultimate edition, even though a few games I would have loved to play in VR are missing.
However, there are still plenty of games to enjoy, and most retro gamers will easily recognize the classics that each game pays homage to. You’ll find nods to Dance Dance Revolution, Pong, GTA, Space Invaders, Mr. Driller, Virtuality (yes, the VR Amiga Coin-op cab), Arkanoid, Asteroids, Badger Hunt, and many more.
Managment Is Easy?…
The game starts off a bit slow, but this is designed to help you get familiar with the mechanics. After the first hour or so, the pace picks up, and the game becomes increasingly engaging. Once you fully grasp how everything works, you might find yourself spending more time playing games than actually working. As you progress through the story, you’ll have the opportunity to upgrade your arcade, and there are also upgrades that function like a skill tree. These allow you to work more efficiently, hire staff, or even purchase stuff to enhance your character’s appearance, and more.
It’s all about wisely spending your hard-earned cash. To add some complexity, the game uses two different currencies: Dollars and English pounds. You can only use one currency for upgrades and the other for cabinets and arcade improvements. Upgrades are pricey, and the currency for them is earned only by completing daily tasks and missions, which can make it a bit of a grind.
The Verdict?…
Arcade Paradise felt like a dream come true when it first launched on flat screens, and ever since the VR version was announced for the Meta Quest earlier this year, well, I kept hammering (almost daily 😀) the publisher with wishes for a PSVR2 version.
I’d like to think I played a part in bringing it to PSVR2, though the developers haven’t said that directly. However, they did acknowledge in a press statement that the PSVR2 community has been very supportive.
I didn’t expect the VR version to differ from the flat version, but so far, I have no complaints. The visuals are stunning, the gameplay is seamless, and it makes great use of the PSVR2’s unique features. Honestly, this has been the only game I’ve wanted to play lately—14 days in (with over 42 hours logged), and I’m still completely hooked.
Now that I’m close to earning the Platinum trophy, I have to admit—I really don’t 
want it to end. It’s that good! The variety of solid games and, perhaps even more importantly, their objectives have kept me playing far more than I ever anticipated. The only thing that could elevate this experience further would be if the arcade served as an actual online lobby. Maybe that’s an idea for Nosebleed Interactive to consider for a sequel or future update.
It’s an affordable game as well, with only a small fee if you already own the flat version. Plus, there’s a sale going on right now, so don’t miss out—go grab it!
Still not convinced? Check out the launch trailer below.
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