Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Midway Collection 2
| Industry | Video games |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Arcade video games, video game compilations |
Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Midway Collection 2 is a compilation featuring arcade titles developed or acquired by Midway Games for the PlayStation and Windows platforms. This release acts as a follow-up to Williams Arcade's Greatest Hits, which also showcased games licensed by Midway and was available on PlayStation.
This collection was released concurrently with the Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection series, both consisting of two volumes.
Games
Included in this compilation are the following games:
- Blaster (1983)
- BurgerTime (1982)
- Joust 2: Survival of the Fittest (1986)
- Moon Patrol (1982)
- Root Beer Tapper (1983)
- SPLAT! (previously unreleased) [1982]
- Spy Hunter (1983)
It is important to note that BurgerTime was originally created by Data East and licensed to Midway for distribution in North America, whereas Moon Patrol was developed by Irem and licensed through Williams Electronics.
Reception
Critical response to the compilation was generally favorable, with reviewers emphasizing the lasting popularity of the three standout titles: Burgertime, Moon Patrol, and Spy Hunter. While feedback on the revamped version of Spy Hunter was mixed, outlets such as Next Generation and IGN commended its faithful digital reproduction of the arcade cabinet’s illuminated weapons interface, highlighting this as a key attraction of the collection. On the other hand, Electronic Gaming Monthly (EGM) critics found Spy Hunter less captivating, and GameSpot pointed out issues with PlayStation controller responsiveness. Nonetheless, the overall adaptation of these games to PlayStation controls was considered superior to that seen in the earlier Arcade's Greatest Hits: The Atari Collection 1, with GameSpot praising the strong game selection and control compatibility.
The reception of the four lesser-known titles was varied but leaned positive. EGM’s John Ricciardi expressed greater enjoyment than anticipated for Root Beer Tapper, while fellow reviewer Sushi-X regarded it as a personal favorite. Both Next Generation and IGN identified Blaster and Joust 2 as significant attractions for dedicated players due to their rarity and inventive gameplay mechanics. Additionally, GameSpot lauded these entries as engaging and refreshingly distinctive. Although GamePro considered Joust 2 the highlight of the package and an upgrade over its predecessor, they felt the compilation mainly appeals to enthusiasts interested in gaming history. EGM reviewers suggested purchasing based on individual preferences for specific games included, while Next Generation concluded that the collection effectively revitalized classic arcade experiences without appearing exploitative. IGN also noted that even the included trivia game alone makes this compilation worthwhile for fans of retro titles.
At their 1997 Editors' Choice Awards, EGM honored Midway Collection 2 as a runner-up for "Best Compilation," second only to Street Fighter Collection.
Reviews
- Power Unlimited - June 1998