arcade Archives

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Xbox Launches Retro Classics Collection With 50+ Activision Titles; PC App Adds Game Assist, GeForce Now Support

Xbox and Antstream Arcade have launched Retro Classics, a collection of over 50 Activision titles from the ’80s and ’90s, available to Xbox Game Pass members worldwide. Notable games in the collection include Commando, Grand Prix, Kaboom!, Mech Warrior 2: 31st Century Combat, and Pitfall!, accessible on consoles, PCs, and cloud gaming devices. The collection features modern enhancements like cloud saves, achievement support, and gameplay pause/resume options, with plans to expand to over 100 titles from Activision and Blizzard in the future. Additionally, Xbox has introduced updates for PC gaming, including a revamped Game Bar with Quick Settings, an upcoming Microsoft Edge Game Assist for in-game browsing, and GeForce Now streaming integration for the Xbox app. The Xbox Rewards program has also been updated, allowing players to redeem points for customizable gift cards for various purchases.

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Over 25 Years Ago, This Lemmings-Esque Puzzler Was Sent Out To Die – Its Fans Had Other Plans

Monolith Productions announced its closure earlier this year, prompting tributes to its 30-year legacy. One notable title from the studio is Gruntz, a puzzle strategy game released for PCs in 1999, which has maintained an active community despite its initial rocky launch. The game was designed by Nick Newhard, who aimed to create a game that his wife would enjoy, blending real-time strategy elements with puzzles. After Newhard's departure from the project due to internal disagreements, Kevin Lambert took over development, infusing humor and personality into the characters. Gruntz received mixed reviews upon release, but found a favorable reception in Europe. The game's inclusion of level editing tools led to a dedicated fan community, with ongoing projects like Dizgruntled and Gruntz Unityverse. The community currently has over 368 accounts, showcasing the game's lasting appeal.

AppWizard

May 20, 2025

The 14 most underappreciated games of the last year that you shouldn’t have ignored

Skin Deep: Released on December 5th, 2024; Steam reviews: Very Positive (771); Peak player count: 953. Loco Motive: Released on November 21st, 2024; Steam reviews: Very Positive (659); Peak player count: 336. Straftat: Released on October 24th, 2024; Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (7523); Peak player count: 960; Price: Free on Steam. Penny’s Big Breakaway: Released on February 21st, 2024; Steam reviews: Very Positive (800); Peak player count: 228. Solium Infernum: Released on February 22, 2024; Steam reviews: Very Positive (1,362); Peak player count: 1,108. MechWarrior 5: Clans: Released on October 17th, 2024; Steam reviews: Mostly Positive (4303); Peak player count: 5,548. Xenotilt: Released on November 12th, 2024; Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (594); Peak player count: 81. Anton Blast: Released on December 3rd, 2024; Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (2919); Peak player count: 1,104. The Thaumaturge: Released on March 4th, 2024; Steam reviews: Very Positive (2866); Peak player count: 2,733. Still Wakes the Deep: Released on June 18th, 2024; Steam reviews: Very Positive (5639); Peak player count: 729. Dungeons of Hinterberg: Released on July 18th, 2024; Steam reviews: Very Positive (1597); Peak player count: 486. Drova: Forsaken Kin: Released on October 15th, 2024; Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (6618); Peak player count: 2,717. 1000xRESIST: Released on May 9th, 2024; Steam reviews: Overwhelmingly Positive (3471); Peak player count: 278.

AppWizard

May 9, 2025

Quake finally makes it into the World Videogame Hall of Fame

Quake has been officially recognized as one of the four inductees into the World Videogame Hall of Fame for 2025. It is a pioneering first-person shooter that introduced mouse controls and real-time 3D graphics, and its extensive mod support contributed to its longevity. Quake's server-client architecture laid the foundation for online gaming and esports. The game's legacy code has influenced many franchises, including Heretic, Hexen, Doom, and Call of Duty. John Romero, co-creator of Quake, expressed his delight at the induction. The 2025 inductees also include Defender, GoldenEye 007, and Tamagotchi.

AppWizard

May 7, 2025

I pride myself on keeping up with Steam’s under-the-radar gems, but April was packed with enough new games to keep me busy for the rest of 2025

In April 2025, over 100 games launched, with notable titles including Blue Prince and Clair Obscur, the latter receiving significant attention. Clair Obscur was released on April 22nd and has a 94% rating from 39 reviews. Maliki: Poison Of The Past, inspired by a French comic, was released on April 20th. Mythical Concept Starnaut, a narrative-driven game, was released on April 28th with a 97% rating from 45 reviews. Bionic Bay, a stylish platformer, was released on April 17th and has a 90% rating from 264 reviews. Asura The Striker, released on April 23rd, has a 93% rating from 49 reviews. Traveler's Refrain, an action RPG, was released on April 11th with a 92% rating from 26 reviews. Voidborn, a low-fi shooter, was released on April 7th with a 90% rating from 262 reviews. I, Robot, a reimagining of an arcade classic, was released on April 17th and has a 95% rating from 20 reviews. Lab Rat, a dystopian comedy, was released on April 15th with a 97% rating from 188 reviews. Peppered: An Existential Platformer, released on April 7th, has a 95% rating from 266 reviews. Repose, a workplace horror game, was released on April 14th and has a 90% rating from 74 reviews.

BetaBeacon

May 5, 2025

Best new mobile games on iOS and Android – May 2025 round-up

- Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE is a game included with Apple Arcade subscription where players roll katamari to make them bigger in a mock livestream format. - The gameplay of Katamari Damacy Rolling LIVE remains similar to its original version from 2004, with some minor changes in controls and influencer window dressing.

AppWizard

May 3, 2025

Weekend PC Game Deals: Star Wars specials, XCOM bundles, Wargame festivals, and more

This week, the Humble Store launched the Tycoon Titans Bundle featuring titles like Transport Fever, PlateUp!, Frostpunk, and RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Complete Edition. The bundle also includes Mad Games Tycoon 2, Espresso Tycoon, and Farm Manager 2021 with its Agrotourism DLC. Additionally, the XCOM Bundle includes all 17 modern titles from the XCOM and XCOM 2 series, along with expansions and classic games. The Epic Games Store is offering the game Super Space Club for free until May 8. Forza Motorsport is available for free this weekend on Steam. Sales are ongoing for franchises such as Lord of the Rings, Dark Souls, and Star Wars, while the GOG store has DRM-free specials including discounts on indie games and classic titles. Availability and pricing may vary by region.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

Stadium’s roadmap for Overwatch 2 is planned out for the next three seasons, with more heroes, maps, and custom games on the horizon

Stadium is a new mode in Overwatch 2, developed with a dedicated roadmap for the next three seasons. Season 17 will introduce two new maps (Esperanca and Samoa), a crossplay feature, new custom games, saveable and shareable builds, and additional example builds. The maps will be tailored for Stadium's fast-paced gameplay, featuring smaller sizes and closer spawn points to objectives. Stadium has gained popularity within the Overwatch 2 community, becoming comparable to Quick Play and Competitive modes.

AppWizard

May 2, 2025

The PC game releases we’re most excited about in May

In May, several notable games are set to release, including Among Us 3D, Revenge of the Savage Planet, and Elden Ring Nightreign. Events include Gamescom Latam in São Paulo until May 4, PAX East in Boston from May 8 to May 11, EVO Japan in Tokyo from May 9 to May 11, and the Six One Indie Showcase on May 22. Steam Fest sales will feature themed events: Wargames Fest (April 28 - May 5), Creature Collector Fest (May 12 - May 19), and Zombies vs. Vampires Fest (May 26 – June 2). Upcoming game releases include: - May 5: Drop Dutchy - May 8: Captain Blood, Creature Keeper, Empyreal, The Midnight Walk, Yes, Your Grace: Snowfall - May 9: Anoxia Station - May 15: Capcom Fighting Collection 2 - May 21: JDM: Japanese Drift Master, Fantasy Life: The Girl Who Steals Time, Gundam Seed Battle Destiny, Bonaparte - A Mechanized Revolution - May 22: Deliver At All Costs, TMNT: Tactical Takedown - May 23: Onimusha 2 - May 28: To a T, As We Descend - May 29: A Nice Day for Fishing - May 30: F1 25

AppWizard

May 1, 2025

Epic Games Store Has a New Free PC Game Now Available

The Epic Games Store is offering the free PC game Super Space Club, available for download until May 8. Players who claim the game during this period will permanently add it to their library without any subscription fees, requiring only a free Epic Games Store account. Super Space Club, developed by GrahamOfLegend, is typically priced at .99 and has a 94% approval rating on Steam from 36 reviews. It is an "endless arcade gunner" where players defend the galaxy as misfit pilots, featuring various characters, ships, and weapons. Players typically spend between 2 to 10 hours on the game.