Anniversary Collection Arcade Classics

Critic reviews

• WWorthPlaying

  Adam Pavlacka · May 15, 2019

  6.5

  Recommending the Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection is a bit of a mixed bag. If you're a fan of the Gradius games or a shmup fan, the collection is a solid, if basic, way to get these classic games on console. The lack of features and the wireless controller bug make it difficult to recommend for anyone who is merely curious about Konami's history. The emulation may be solid, but the package around it has some pretty rough edges.

  Read review from WorthPlaying (opens in a new tab)
• TTechRaptor

  Alex Santa Maria · May 08, 2019

  6.5

  With a scattershot selection of games and a slapdash presentation, Konami Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection misses the mark. The games are playable, but this doesn't feel like the definitive way to preserve these classics. It instead feels like a school project thrown together during an all-nighter.

  Read review from TechRaptor (opens in a new tab)
• WWccftech.com

  Kai Powell · May 06, 2019

  6.2

  Konami's first anniversary collection for their 50th anniversary contains some notable arcade classics, but the fact they've been previously released digitally with more options should appeal to only the most ardent of nostalgic fans.

  Read review from Wccftech.com (opens in a new tab)
• HGHardcore Gamer

  Jordan Helm · May 01, 2019

  6.0

  As pleased fans will be to see Gradius and company (most of said company anyway) return in pristine, faithful fashion in such a welcomingly retrospective admiration — add to this the barebones features and basic presentation — beyond the most embedded of shmup enthusiasts, the Konami Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection doesn’t quite come across as celebratory as you might think.

  Read review from Hardcore Gamer (opens in a new tab)
• GGameSpew

  Richard Seagrave · Apr 29, 2019

  6.0

  It’s not the pinnacle of retro collections – it has too few games and not enough features to truly impress. But it’s also not a failure. Some of the games here will provide quality entertainment for those with fond memories of feeding arcade machines their spare change. And as Thunder Cross has shown me, some them might even be able to attract new fans. Don’t go into it with lofty expectations, and Konami Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection will serve you just fine.

  Read review from GameSpew (opens in a new tab)
• WTWay Too Many Games

  Leo Faria · Apr 26, 2019

  7.5

  Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection is nowhere near as good as other retro compilations I’ve played in recent years, but given how arcade shooters have managed to stand the test of time by being easy to play and easy to have fun with, I ended up having a lot more fun with this collection than I could have ever imagined. Games like Thunder Cross and the Gradius titles are still fantastic even thirty years later. For the asking price, you could do a lot worse. Just be sure to stay away from Haunted Castle. That one is a stinker.

  Read review from Way Too Many Games (opens in a new tab)

See all critic reviews