Akka Arrh

Get ready to enjoy a lost arcade gaming experience with Akka Arrh, a game lost to time that now arrives on modern gaming consoles. This scrapped Atari project finds new life with this port, which aims to bring all the excitement of the classic arcade shooters to a whole new generation of gamers.

Akka Arrh’s retro style might prove amazing for collectors and long-time Atari fans, but does this revival project have what it takes to appeal to a wider audience? That’s what we’re here to discuss, as this is a game that might pleasantly surprise any fan of fast-paced action games, retro or not.

Unearthing the Past

The game began its life as a concept for an Atari arcade cabinet. Akka Arrh was designed to join other timeless games like Galaxian or Asteroids in the arcade parlor of the 70s and 80s, but that never came to be. Instead, the project got shelved for years, until 2023, when the Llamasoft developers decided to give the game a second chance.

The result is a game that feels wonderfully retro, but with some of the usual quality of life improvements we’re used to seeing in modern games. Additionally, some creative liberties have been made when it comes to the game’s presentation.

Flashy Looks

Just one look at Akka Arrh’s visuals is all you need to find the type of game this is trying to be. At first glance, the similarities between this game and Asteroids are quite evident, but then you notice that the game looks like a more retro version of Geometry Wars and everything makes much more sense.

Of course, like any other arcade game, Akka Arrh is insanely addictive. This wave shooter was carefully designed to appeal to a larger audience, and that’s more than evident once you look at the many accessibility options the game comes packed with. From quicksaves to reduced flashing lights, Akka Arrh is the arcade game that time forgot.

Truly Arcade Experience

If there’s one thing that the developers made clear when they were working on this port of Akka Arrh, is that they were working exclusively on an arcade game. This is great for fans who might want an authentic retro experience, but might not be as appealing for those looking for a more complete package.

Looking at games like Tetris Effect: Connected proves that there’s room for retro games that come loaded with extras. As it is, Akka Arrh might be a bit barebones for some players, and that might be one of the main reasons why I can’t recommend this game to players looking for a more “complete” gaming experience.

Pros

• Addictive gameplay loop
• Great retro visuals
• Amazing sound design

Cons

• Barebones gameplay
• Lacks some modern features