The Arcade Video Game Streaming Service That Brings Your Favorite Retro Classics to a Variety of Platforms

Usually on this blog, we try to give coverage on everything related to the arcade gaming world, which usually means that we talk about the latest releases, the newest devices and technology, and other relevant aspects, while sometimes touching upon some of the greatest classic titles of the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Today, however, we’re going to talk about a service that not only lets you enjoy your favorite arcade games anywhere and anytime, but also lets you do it across a wide variety of devices, and with ample modern aspects and quality of life features to greatly improve your gameplay experience.

We’re talking about none other than Anstream Arcade, the platform known in some communities as the “Netflix of gaming”, since it lets its users enjoy thousands of officially licensed arcade games on a wide variety of devices, including PC, laptops, gaming consoles, and smartphones. 

The British-owned video game streaming company debuted originally in 2019, and has been available to clients all over Europe, North America, and a few other select regions. For a mere $10 a month, players can enjoy timeless classics such as Space Invaders, Metal Slug, Asteroids, Bubble, Bobble, Double Dragon, and many more. And we’re not talking about some crappy ROM emulation either; all Anstream games are not only carefully curated, but also legitimately licensed from their owners to bring as close to the authentic experience as possible.

Last year, however, Antstream also released a new subscription tier that is completely free to play for all users, with the caveat that it has ads to sustain its revenue model and its quality of service. For every ad that you watch, you will receive Gems, which are used for accessing games. You can also score Gems simply by playing games. Additionally, there are events every single week such as tournaments and challenges that can give a variety of prizes, including Gems. Alternatively, players who pay the monthly fee can bypass the Gem economy entirely and simply enjoy any and all games on the platform.

Regardless, all tiers allow users to play indefinitely on Windows, MacOS, Android phones, and even on Linux, giving players a very large variety of device options to play on, whether you’re out and about, or chilling at home. Plus, the platform is also compatible with a bunch of different gamepads so that you can get a true home console gaming experience, while enjoying your favorite arcade games.

To get started with Antstream, you simply need to go to their website and create an account—it’s free. There, you can also check your account details, such as for when you want to upgrade to the monthly subscription tier. Moreover, if you click on the “Download” button, you can acquire the corresponding client for your system. Afterward, it’s just a matter of running the client and installing it, and then you’ll get unlimited access to the platform and its services. 

It’s worth pointing out here that Windows picked up the Antstream client as potentially harmful, though we tested it ourselves and can say it’s completely safe to install and use. 

One small detail that we enjoyed is that, regardless of the platform on which you’re playing, you still have to “insert coins” and then press the button to start your game. While innocuous and probably trivial to most, this brings the experience just a tiny bit closer to the real thing.

While the Gem system can be a bit limiting, particularly since you have to pay every time you launch a game, you can also earn more than enough of these to play nearly indefinitely, especially if you’re good and can play for longer sessions to boost your earnings. Nevertheless, though we’re not associated with this platform in any way, we feel that this service is more than worth the price tag, especially if you’re the type of person who loves to get in a few minutes of arcade gaming fun during commutes or downtime.

Thanks for reading! Here at PrimeTime Amusements, we like to keep ahead of the curve in arcade game rental and sales and pride ourselves in providing the best service in the country. If you’re looking for a game in particular, or have a few questions about the industry, feel free to give us a call at 1.800.550.0090 or to swing by at 5300 Powerline Rd. Suite 210, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, 33309.