Arcade – Full Moon Features (Blu-ray)

Release Date: USA, 1993
Director: Albert Pyun
Writers: Charles Band, David S. Goyer
Cast: Megan Ward, Peter Billingsley, John de Lancie, Sharon Farrell, Seth Green, A.J. Langer, Bryan Dattilo

Release Date: July 29th, 2025
Approximate Running Time: 81 Minutes 5 Seconds
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio / 1080 Interlaced / MPEG-4 AVC
Rating: R
Sound: Dolby Digital Stereo English, Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Subtitles: English SDH
Region Coding: Region Free
Retail Price: $24.95

"All the kids in town are dying to play the hot new video game "Arcade". Trouble is once you play the game you can kiss reality good-bye. Arcade has seven levels of excitement, adventure, and terror for its players. The game transports you to another world with its stunning graphics, thrilling sound effects, and virtual reality simulation. It is the ultimate experience in a video game. But excitement like this doesn't come cheaply - when you battle with Arcade you're putting your life on the line. The kids have accepted the challenge and are absorbed into the game." - synopsis provided by the distributor

Video: 3.25/5

Here’s the information provided about this release's transfer, "Remastered from the very best available elements."

Arcade comes on a 25 GB single layer Blu-ray.

Disc Size: 20 GB

Feature: 15.9 GB

The information provided about the source is vague; that said, it is in great shape, free of any debris. The scenes in virtual reality do not look as good as the bulk of the film. Flesh tones and colors look correct; image clarity is strong, black levels fare well, and there are no issues with compression.

Audio: 3.5/5 (Both Audio Tracks)

This release comes with two audio options, a Dolby Digital stereo mix in English and a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix in English. Both audio tracks sound clean, clear, and balanced. Range-wise, these two tracks do a good job when it comes to the action sequences. That said, the Dolby Digital 5.1 mix offers a slightly more expanded audio experience. Included are removable English SDH.

Extras:

Extras for this release include Arcade’s original trailer (1 minute 44 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), Videozone - Behind the Scenes Arcade (9 minutes 43 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), a rare VFX reel (18 minutes 3 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), an interview with actor John Delancie (15 minutes 42 seconds, Dolby Digital stereo English, no subtitles), and an audio commentary with Charles Band and actress Megan Ward.

Other extras include trailers for Savage Island, Quadrant, Bad Channels, Crash and Burn, and Bad CGI Gator.

Summary:

Albert Pyun directed Arcade. He's known for The Sword and the Sorcerer, Nemesis, and Cyborg. The screenplay was written by David S. Goyer, whose other notable films are Dark City, Blade, Batman Begins, and The Dark Knight.

A virtual reality game collects the souls of those who play it.

Full Moon Entertainment is not a company that ever shied away from making films that resembled blockbuster Hollywood films. Case in point, Arcade, a film whose virtual reality moments bear a striking resemblance to Tron. That said, these similarities were enough that some of the CGI was changed to avoid a lawsuit with Disney.

Though the premise is interesting, it is ultimately undermined by the CGI, which looked dated even back then. The film's setting in an arcade may be unfamiliar to post-Gen Xers, who grew up in an era where video games are enjoyed in the privacy of their own homes. Additionally, the CGI appears dated, resembling technology from the distant past. That said, the film does foreshadow how video games are now played, when home versions of the game are given to those who want to try it out.

Although Full Moon had cornered the market on direct-to-video sci-fi, Arcade is one of the few times they made a sci-fi film with teenage characters. The cast is filled with recognizable faces like Megan Ward (Amityville 1992: It's About Time), Peter Billingsley (A Christmas Story), and Seth Green (Austin Powers films). The latter two get the most screentime, and it is Megan Ward’s character who makes it the farthest into the game. That said, the performances work well within the story that unfolds.

Whether initial or not, the most compelling aspect of Arcade is its depiction of technology's grip on our lives. The narrative is at its best during the real-world moments, while the virtual reality moments disrupt any momentum. Ultimately, Arcade is a product of its time that can be fun if you don’t overthink it.

Full Moon Features gives Arcade a good release that comes with a strong audio/video presentation and informative extras.

Written by Michael Den Boer