RetroRealms Special Edition Preorder Summons Michael Myers To Your House This Halloween

RetroRealms Arcade and its first two games, Halloween and Ash vs Evil Dead, released on digital storefronts for consoles and PC on October 18. Physical editions were initially scheduled to launch the same day, but a short delay has moved the $50 Double Feature to October 25 and the $80 Special Edition to October 31. A Halloween release date for a two-game bundle containing a game where you play as Michael Myers is fitting, especially since RetroRealms Arcade's Collector's Edition comes with an adorably terrifying Michael Myers plush. It also happens to be the most reasonably priced collector's edition all year, as you're only paying $30 extra for the plush, collectible VHS-inspired box, and a poster.

Halloween and Ash vs. Evil Dead RetroRealms Double Feature Special Edition is available to preorder for Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox at Amazon. Preorders for both physical editions come with a pack of Halloween trading cards and two bonus playable characters with unique play styles. 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.

• GameSpot's RetroRealms Review Score: 8/10

Get 2 bonus playable characters and collectible cards for free with launch edition ($10 value)

All physical edition preorders--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 seem to be pack-in bonuses for physical versions, so while it's possible you can still get them after launch, it seems unlikely that future print runs will include the bonus characters. 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, but collector's editions rarely get additional print runs after they sell out.

RetroRealms Special Edition: Halloween and Ash vs Evil Dead

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 should definitely be on your radar. 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.

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