Action 52 vs Midway Arcade Treasures 2
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Action 52 is an unlicensed multicart for the Nintendo Entertainment System released in 1992 by Active Enterprises. The cartridge packs 52 separate titles ranging from shooters to platformers, with The Cheetahmen marketed as the flagship game. Despite its ambitious scope, the compilation is remembered for poor quality, frequent glitches, and its status as one of the worst video games ever made, making it a cult curiosity among retro collectors.
Players can enjoy both single‑player and split‑screen multiplayer modes, with the Xbox version offering exclusive online score submission. While the Xbox version cannot be used on Xbox 360, the core gameplay remains consistent across all platforms.
- Huge variety of titles in one cartridge
- Includes the cult‑favorite Cheetahmen
- Authentic NES hardware experience
- Collectible rarity for retro enthusiasts
- Wide variety of classic arcade genres
- Includes rare titles not found in earlier collections
- Split‑screen multiplayer adds couch co‑op fun
- Rich archival content like interviews and histories
- Many games are buggy or unplayable
- Poor overall quality and design
- Unlicensed cartridge may cause compatibility issues
- Xbox online scores unavailable on newer consoles
- Not compatible with Xbox 360
- Some games suffer from emulation quirks
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Relive classic arcade hits in one portable collection
A retro arcade compilation of 20 classic Midway titles for PS2, Xbox and GameCube
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataMidway Arcade Treasures 2 gives reliable, varied arcade fun with solid multiplayer and archival extras, while Action 52 offers a massive but notoriously buggy and low‑quality NES cartridge.
Key differences
- •Midway includes 20 curated classic arcade games with split‑screen co‑op; Action 52 packs 52 games but many are unplayable.
- •Midway runs on modern consoles (PS2, Xbox, GameCube) with standardized controls; Action 52 requires original NES hardware.
- •Midway provides historical documentation and higher critic score (50/100) versus Action 52’s poor score (20/100).
- •Midway’s Xbox version lacks online leaderboard on newer consoles; Action 52 may have compatibility issues due to being unlicensed.
- •Price: Midway’s price not listed (assume standard retail); Action 52 MSRP is $19.99.
Gameplay & fun factor
Midway’s curated arcade titles are generally playable and enjoyable; Action 52 contains many buggy, unplayable games.
Platform availability
Midway runs on PS2, Xbox, GameCube; Action 52 only works on original NES hardware.
Price & value
Action 52 has a clear MSRP of $19.99; Midway’s price not specified, making value harder to assess.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Midway offers split‑screen multiplayer for many games; Action 52 lists multiplayer but quality is unreliable.
Content & replayability
Action 52 provides 52 distinct titles versus Midway’s 20, giving more raw content despite lower quality.
Difficulty & accessibility
Midway’s games are standardized and include documentation; Action 52’s unlicensed games often suffer from bugs and poor design.
Graphics & performance
Midway runs on newer consoles with stable emulation; Action 52 is limited to NES graphics and suffers from performance glitches.
Choose Action 52 if…
Collectors or curiosity seekers who value sheer quantity and NES authenticity despite low quality.
Choose Midway Arcade Treasures 2 if…
Buyers who want reliable, varied arcade fun on modern consoles with multiplayer and historical extras.
Common questions
What is the price of Midway Arcade Treasures 2?
Pricing is not specified in the provided facts.
Can I play Action 52 on a modern console?
No; Action 52 runs only on original NES hardware.
Does Midway support online leaderboards on current consoles?
The Xbox version’s online leaderboard is unavailable on newer consoles like Xbox 360.