Midway Arcade Treasures Review

Publisher: Midway

Rating: Teen (T)

About Midway Arcade Treasures

Midway Arcade Treasures is a collection of games popular in the video arcades during the 80’s. During that time it did not cost you two bucks to play a single game! The collection offers popular games including Defender, Robotron, Gauntlet, Joust, Paperboy and Rampage. The games are suitable for all ages, despite the Teen rating. They are simple to learn and fun to play.

Difficulty Level/Modes of Play

There is only one level of difficulty, consistent with the games during that time. As for modes, the game offers up to four players. There are no special modes, and the game integrity is the same as the original.

Is It Really A Treasure?

The games in Midway Arcade Treasures are fun to play. Most of the games are shooter/action games like Defender where you are traveling over an alien landscape blasting enemies with your ship. In other games, like Robotron, you are surrounded by robots who try to kill you and any other humans in their way. In Rampage you are a giant monster whose only goal is to destroy cities with his arms and legs.

A good feature worth mentioning is that the game offers you tips on play and how to use the controls. I don’t know how many times I have experienced trying to play a game without some kind of instruction. When it's like that, it's frustrating, especially if the game seems like something you want to get into.

When you load Midway Arcade Treasures, the video takes you through an elaborate pyramid where the game menu resides. The menu is interesting, and looks like a transparent mirror surrounded by hieroglyph-like symbols. To pick a game, move your directional buttons to any of the symbols.

The controls are easy to use, but some people who have played the games at the arcade before may find it to be an adjustment. Controllers were mostly a couple buttons and a “joystick”. The PS2 equivalent for the joystick is pretty good, but for some reason the game designers made it so you have to use the directional buttons on many of them.

Looks and Sounds

The graphics in the Midway Arcade Treasures are consistent with the original games. They were all flat and cartoon-like in a two dimensional environment making most of the character movement left to right. This is all part of the charm of the 80's games.

The sound effects are true to the original games. Someone who has played these games before with appreciate the simple quality. A nice soundtrack plays in the menu section, which is a good touch.

Summary

Midway Arcade Treasures is a collection of games popular video arcades in the 80’s. It offers many popular titles like Defender, Joust, Rampage, Paperboy and Robotron. They are mostly shooter and action games that are appropriate for all ages. Relive the past, and try games that have simpler graphics and no complex rules. For those familiar with all these games, this is a good collection to have. Enjoy!

By Sheila Robinson (CA-gamer)