![]() ![]() Online play is planned as a future update. This is more of a gaming platform, rather than a specialized collectible. The iiRcade’s ability to improve over time makes it an interesting investment compared to its competition. Luckily, the iiRcade connects online for downloading or updating games and there have already been firmware updates. The functionality one would expect is all there, but the unit is a little lacking in presentation on the software side. One can also quickly capture a screenshot that’s emailed to one’s iiRcade account by hitting both Player start buttons. ![]() Additionally, the HDMI out port behind the back panel of the unit is handy for those that enjoy streaming or recording footage. iiRcade did reveal improvements to the sound system for future units, partnering with Sound by JBL. ![]() Nothing incredible but they get the job done. Sticking with the unit and hardware, the screen looks crisp and the speakers can get insanely loud. Where the unit shines is of course arcade-style genres such as shmups, beat-em-ups, and fighting games. Aside from that, this feels like a premium product with a well-considered design. Really my only gripe with the physical design of the unit is that I expected T-Molding for the system’s trim. It’s a sturdy feeling unit and I feel like modders will especially enjoy customizing their buttons or adding LEDs. The orange and blue play off of the black extremely well and it is the first thing noticed when entering that room. Visually, the design of the unit is stunning. ![]() Some games do seem to struggle with the more definitive 8-way control such as Dandara which requires just a touch more precision in some spots that game takes some getting used to and I’m not sure how that compares to other versions. Both sticks on the iiRcade feel really snappy, easily locking into various directions. I’d honestly love to replace them with more responsive, clicky buttons but these work fine for a starter unit. The buttons feel pretty comparable to the base level sticks I’ve had such as the 8bitdo Arcade Stick or the Quanba Drone. Some games even use both sticks or will use buttons on the player 2 side for more functions, such as switching items or opening a menu. Looking at the base physical unit, the arcade-style controls feature a standard layout that allows for two-player games comfortably. At CES 2022, it was announced that there will be an upcoming Dead Cells Edition cabinet which will feature new improvements to the overall cabinet design and better specs. iiRcade also offers game-specific versions, featuring custom artwork on the cabinet but functionally playing off of the same software with access to the games marketplace. Premium units feature more storage, Sanwa parts, and other general improvements. It’s important to note that I was sent the base unit for review. Not long after that, we had an account, an instant library of pre-installed games, and a few downloadable titles from the market. In less than two hours, we had a fully constructed bartop unit and an optional riser that fastens with four easy-to-access knobs. Most furniture construction results in me scratching my head and cursing more than usual but this particular build, thanks in part to Joe who helped put it together on our Twitch stream, was straightforward and didn’t take much time at all. The iiRcade experience starts with the build process as the system comes flat-packed. This is where the iiRcade platform perfectly fits into my gaming life it’s an arcade unit where users can download more games with a growing library of classics and some of my favorite indie titles. Sure a MAME cabinet would be cool but I haven’t really had the time to build something. I still wanted a cabinet but it’s always been hard to justify the purchase of a unit with only a couple of games and hoping to find a cheap unit to restore is like searching for a needle in a haystack. I’ve always wanted to bring that experience home, leading me to pick up an arcade stick for my PlayStation 4 for fighting games and classics. Throughout the 90s, arcades were an important touchstone for me even though they were thought to be a dying type of gaming I played Rampage at a skating rink, Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom at a bowling alley, Mortal Kombat II at a Pizza Hut, and every single game felt special on those cabinets. I still remember how the controls felt so different from my NES. I remember playing an old Pac-Man machine as an incredibly young child. ![]()
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