What is Antstream Arcade?
Antstream Arcade is an retro video game streaming service. Think of it as Netflix for retro gaming. It features games from the most popular home computers and consoles up to the first Playstation. Also the service has a large set of arcade games to play. Aside from just playing these games Antstream offers Tournaments and Challenges to keep you busy.
Antstream Arcade Accounts
How much does Antstream Arcade cost?
If you want to use Antstream Arcade on your Xbox, a regular one year subscription to the Antstream service will cost you $29.99/€29,99. You can also opt for a lifetime subscription, that will unlock the service for as long as it exists for $79.99/€79,99. Both can be bought through the Xbox digital store. You get 1000 Gems with your Xbox digital store purchase.
This is a bit cheaper than the regular premium tier on PC and Mobile, which will cost you $3.99/€3,99 a month.
Can I use my existing Antstream Arcade subscription on Xbox?
No, weirdly not. You can not connect your existing Antstream Arcade account to your Xbox-live account. When you buy Antstream Arcade from the Xbox Store and you run it, it will automatically create a new Antstream account which will be locked to your Xbox account. The same goes for The Epic Game Store version, by the way.
But there is a way to use your PC account on your Xbox
Isn’t there an Antstream FREE version on Xbox?
No, the free Antstream arcade tier that is available on PC and Mac and mobile devices is not available on Xbox (and Epic Game Store).
What can I do with Anstream Arcade FREE?
It used to be an ad-driven free version, but now FREE-tier users can only play Challenges, Tournaments and Giant Slayer events. You’ll get 120 to 500 gems when you create a FREE tier account (depending on how you onboard on the service), but you still can’t ‘free-play’ a game. Competing in the events will cost you somewhere in the range of 5 (challenge) to 60 gems (tournament) per game.
Antstream Arcade Gems
What are Antstream Gems?
You can use Antstream gems to enroll on all the community activities. You need them to join tournaments, Giant Slayer challenges and regular game challenges. Earn more gems by winning challenges and tournaments (total price pot is usually +/-15.000 gems). You’re also awarded gems by logging into the service daily.
The easiest way is to earn gems is to earn either bronze, silver or gold medals by playing games or by successfully playing challenges. Each challenge has their individual medals. You get these medals by reaching certain score or challenge thresholds.
How many gems do things cost in Anstream Arcade?
Antstream has a very elaborate system for rewarding you for playing games and participating in events, but it can be a bit confusing. We are making a complete list of gem costs and earnings in Antstream Arcade. It should be on the Retrolike pretty soon!
Antstream Arcade Events
What are Antstream Tournaments en Challenges?
Every month Antstream sets up tournaments and challenges that let you compete against other players for game point price pots, you can use to unlock other challenge and tournaments. Generally the tournaments gives you one life to score as much points as possible within the selected game.
The challenges sets up certain circumstances within a game in which you have to reach a certain goal. For instance, score the most points on one life, or in Speedball 2, tackle as many opponents as possible.
What is a Giant Slayer event in Antstream Arcade?
Every game has got challenges available. You can play these individual (Solo) or challenge a friend for the highest score (for this challenge). You can also challenge the Antstream community to beat your challenge score. The community has 24 hours to attack your score. If the community beats you, participants win some gems, if you beat them, you win gems.
All scores, community events and challenges are cross-play, by the way.
Games and playing games on Antstream Arcade
How many games are on Antstream Arcade?
Well, roughly 1,400 games are currently on the streaming service available.
Can I save games?
Yes, for every game you have three save slots available. You can’t quick load if you are in a game session. You need to close the game and start a saved game from the game page in the Antstream dashboard.
Are new games added?
Yes, every week Antstream is adding new games. On Antstream Tuesday two new games are usually added, as well as new challenges and once a month two new Tournaments are announced.
Bummer! My favorite game isn’t on Antstream, can I request it?
Yes you can! You can send your request through the request form on the Antstream Arcade website.
Can I setup my controls the way I like?
No, but an update enabling you to setup up the controls the way you like is incoming! It should be added to the platform in August 2023.
Does Antstream Arcade support Online Multiplayer?
Unfortunately not, and it may be the most wanted features by Antstream subscribers. You can play couch multiplayer, though.
Antstream PC and Google Play and iPhone
I don’t have an Xbox, where can I download the Antstream Arcade App?
The app isn’t available through the Microsoft WIndows store, right now. You can download the Antstream Arcade App on the Epic Store and Amazon, but not yet on Steam. The easiest way is to download it from the Antstream Arcade website.
