Akka Arrh

Chaos is actually choreography, as an unreleased Atari arcade game gets the full Minter treatment.

Still, if you thrive on arcade shooters that can be returned to again and again, Akka Arrh has a lot to offer. It can feel a little messy and unfair at times, but it’s an original concept that keeps you on your toes. And when you get into the zone it’s easy to get entranced by its abstract art style and unique soundtrack.

A fascinating reimaging of an 80s classic that never quite existed, but as interestingly unique as it is, it lacks the elegant simplicity of its more famous stablemates.

Akka Arrh is a relic from a lost time, making itself quite at home with a modern player through overwhelming visuals and a gameplay loop that seeps into your gray matter.

Akka Arrh is a reimagined version of a prototype Atari arcade machine from the ‘80s. Originally scrapped due to a lack of interest, the trailer for the re-release claims that only three cabinets have ever been seen. 40 years later, when Atari reached out to veteran designer Jeff Minter (Tempest 2000, Polybius) to remake one of its games, he chose Akka Arrh. The result is a reimagining of the original concept, fused with Minter’s signature psychedelic visuals and some modern-day improvements. While the game can be fun, its cluttered visual design heavily detracts from the experience.