Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection

If you're as much of a Konami shoot 'em up fan as I am then you'll have an enjoyable time with Arcade Classics Anniversary Collection. However, don't expect a ton of options and refinement before diving into this retro gaming compilation.

Konami Anniversary Collection: Arcade Classics is quite a lazy collection of a bunch of good 80s games. The emulation is quite smooth, most of the games are still fun, but some bizarre games choices, a quite essential look and the lack of peculiar features such as online support make the collection just average.

Konami starts off the celebration of 50 years of work with a nice collection of arcade games. The most games in this set did already come out on different platforms, but the bonus book is a nice addition. The Haunted Castle game does not make sense here.

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.

While the games vary from must-plays to weak curiosities, this collection lacks the *cough* options of newer retro collections like SNK 40th Anniversary Collection. While we get difficulty adjusts, mid-game saves, and a PDF book, there’s none of the playfulness of SNK’s release. Still, it’s enough to keep your mind off leaked Stranger Things season 3 spoilers. [Issue#163, p.86]

Konami's first anniversary collection is a lazy compilation mainly directed to old-school-shooter lovers.

A nice nostalgia trip, but not an essential purchase. Though all of the games bar Haunted Castle are good fun, none but the Gradius games and Thunder Cross truly stand the test of time. Considering the arcade games missing here, it’s hard to accept this as a ‘classics’ collection, but for what you’re given, you could certainly do worse.

Quotation forthcoming.