Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Midway Arcade Treasures Deluxe Edition delivers one of the broadest arrays of arcade titles ever assembled for the PC, drawing from the popular Midway Arcade Treasures 2 and 3 lineups, plus the addition of the original Mortal Kombat. From top‐down shooters like Total Carnage and Xenophobe to high‐octane racers such as Hydro Thunder and San Francisco Rush 2049, this compilation spans genres and decades. Whether you’re navigating gauntlet corridors in Gauntlet II or duking it out in Pit-Fighter, the sheer variety ensures there’s always a new challenge around the corner.

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Controls are generally well mapped to keyboard and gamepad, with full rebinding options and support for USB controllers. Most titles feel responsive and faithful to the original arcade cabinets, although a few games (notably the driving titles like Hard Drivin’ and Race Drivin’) can exhibit slight input lag if you don’t tweak the emulation settings. The built-in DIP switch menu for each game lets you adjust difficulty, lives, coin settings and other classic arcade parameters.

Emulation quality is solid across the board, with authentic soundtracks and arcade-perfect physics. You can quick-save or rewind gameplay for the first time, which is a godsend in brutally difficult titles like Mortal Kombat II and Primal Rage. Local multiplayer shines in head-to-head fighters and co-op adventures like Rampage World Tour, although there’s no online multiplayer support. Overall, gameplay is a nostalgic thrill ride that balances raw challenge with modern conveniences.

Graphics

Graphically, the Deluxe Edition is a true time capsule: pixel art and sprite work appear exactly as they did on original cabinets. You can toggle between windowed, full-screen and various CRT filters to recreate that arcade monitor glow, or play with sharp 4:3 upscaling for a cleaner look on widescreen displays. The front-end menu itself is sleek and intuitive, with animated previews and a retro arcade marquee style that sets the mood before you even hit “Start.”

While these games weren’t built for high resolution, the Deluxe Edition’s scaling engine does a commendable job avoiding jaggies and preserving detail. Some titles, like Cyberball 2072, boast more advanced 3D wireframe graphics and benefit from the smoothing filters. Others, especially early ’80s classics like Wizard of Wor and Timber, retain their chunky, blocky charm—an aesthetic that many retro fans will find irresistible.

Bonus galleries of original promotional art, flyers and cabinet decals are presented in a dedicated media browser, letting you pore over scan-cleaned materials from Midway and Atari. Developer interviews are accompanied by behind-the-scenes photos and concept sketches, enriching the visual experience with real-world context. It’s a multimedia celebration of arcade history rather than just a simple game menu.

Story

As an arcade anthology, Deluxe Edition doesn’t weave its own overarching narrative—instead, it collects dozens of individual stories and premises, from the straightforward “rescue your friends in Gauntlet” dungeon romp to the tongue-in-cheek monster-mash of Rampage World Tour. Each game retains its original attract mode dialog and character bios, giving you just enough lore to dive in without bogging you down.

Fighting game enthusiasts will appreciate the low-key tournament structure in the Mortal Kombat series entries, while racing fans can savor the futuristic bent of S.T.U.N. Runner or the rock-laden tracks of San Francisco Rush: The Rock. Lesser-known gems like Kozmik Krooz’r and Wacko offer whimsical premises that highlight Midway’s experimental side. The lack of a unifying storyline is offset by the impressive breadth of arcade narratives on display.

Perhaps the richest “story” in this compilation comes from the developer interviews and archival footage. You’ll hear firsthand from the creators about the challenges of squeeze-boarding sprite sheets, pioneering digitized voices in Primal Rage and the wild marketing pushes that launched Mortal Kombat into a cultural phenomenon. These behind-the-scenes segments contextualize each title’s place in arcade history, making the Deluxe Edition more than just a collection of games—it’s a chronicle of an era.

Overall Experience

Midway Arcade Treasures Deluxe Edition represents outstanding value for anyone with a taste for retro gaming. Over thirty classic arcade titles, plus the original Mortal Kombat, all run on a modern PC with added features like save states, rewind functionality and filter options. The variety of genres—from beat ’em ups and maze classics to racing sims and fighting games—ensures there’s something for every kind of arcade enthusiast.

Minor quibbles include the absence of online multiplayer and occasional emulation hiccups in the most demanding 3D racers. Keyboard controls can feel cramped, so a gamepad is highly recommended. Some entries are stronger than others—total immersion in Gauntlet II or Cyberball 2072 will likely outshine a quick spin on Timber—but the bonuses (art galleries, interviews, DIP switch presets) help elevate weaker titles into a broader historical context.

Ultimately, Deluxe Edition is a must‐have anthology for nostalgic gamers, collectors and newcomers eager to experience the golden age of arcades. Its polished presentation, faithful emulation and behind-the-scenes content combine to create more than just a library of old games—it’s a lovingly curated tribute to Midway and Atari’s lasting impact on the industry. Whether you grew up feeding coins into machines or you’re simply curious about retro treasures, this PC‐exclusive package offers hours of entertainment and insight.

Retro Replay Score

6.7/10