The Special Edition of RetroRealms Arcade is now available for PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox. Developed by WayForward, the makers of Shantae and other hits, RetroRealms adapts the two iconic horror franchises into retro-infused action-platformers with 16-bit graphics: Halloween and Evil Dead. The Special Edition is a Double Feature with with Halloween and Ash vs Evil Dead on one disc or cartridge. In addition to the games, the $80 Special Edition comes with a Michael Myers plush doll, a collectible VHS-inspired box, a poster, trading cards, and two DLC characters with unique play styles and stories.
A standard edition with only the trading cards and DLC released October 25 for $50, and the Double Feature digital bundle launched earlier this month for the same price. The two games are only sold together in physical format, but you can buy them separately for $25 each on digital storefronts. The standard edition Double Feature is $50 regardless of whether you choose physical or digital.
Get 2 bonus playable characters and collectible cards for free with launch edition ($10 value)
All physical editions–Special Edition and standard–come with two playable characters who otherwise cost $5 each: Laurie Strobe, lead protagonist of the Halloween films, and Kelly Maxwell from the Starz TV series Ash vs Evil Dead. Laurie has a different move set and storyline than Michael Myers. The same goes for Kelly Maxwell and Ash Williams. Both bonus characters also have their own achievements. The digital edition of the Double Feature also includes the bonus characters until November 17, but you’ll miss out on the pack of Halloween trading cards, which is only included with physical editions.
The DLC vouchers and trading cards are pack-in bonuses for physical versions, but we wouldn’t expect the DLC to be bundled with the physical edition for long. Digital listings describe the offer as a “Day One Edition Bonus.” Based on the marketing for the Special Edition, it will always come with these extras–for however long it remains in stock, of course. Amazon is already temporarily out of stock of the Switch version, but you can still place an order.
| RetroRealms Double Feature Special Edition — $80 | RetroRealms Double Feature — $50 |
|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch at Amazon | Nintendo Switch at Amazon |
| PS5 at Amazon | PS5 at Amazon |
| Xbox Series X / Xbox One at Amazon | Xbox Series X / Xbox One at Amazon |
| N/A for PS4 | PS4 at Amazon |
RetroRealms has flown under the radar since its reveal in August, but if you like retro-style games with pixelated graphics and horror movies, it’s certainly worth checking out. It earned an 8/10 in our RetroRealms Arcade review thanks to its well-designed platforming sequences, tight controls, and superb 16-bit graphics and animations. The two launch games, Halloween and Ash vs Evil Dead, make great use of the characters and worlds from the iconic franchises, and cross-over potential of RetroRealms feels like the beginning of a fun horror multiverse. Each game is played by approaching its arcade cabinet in the 3D hub world. More games will be added as paid DLC; it’s still early days, but RetroRealms Arcade is off to an awesome start as an ode to horror movies and retro games.
We’re optimistic about the future of this expanding horror arcade/museum, and it helps that the game studio behind it, WayForward, has a proven track record of making memorable games across a wide variety of genres, namely in side-scrolling action-platformers. WayForward is best known for its long-running Shantae series, but it also has an expansive list of licensed games and continuations/revivals of dormant franchises: River City Girls, Yars Rising, Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp, and The Mummy Demastered, to name a few.
Boss Team Games, the publisher of RetroRealms Arcade, also published the 2022 Evil Dead multiplayer game. The studio is also working on a bigger budget Halloween game, and John Carpenter, the legendary director and composer of the original film, is collaborating on the project.