The Corner Penthouse

Arcade (1993) is a low-budget sci-fi video game film from Full Moon Pictures starring Megan Ward, Peter Billingsley, Seth Green, A.J. Langer, and John de Lancie. It has been a favorite of mine ever since my friend Mark and I found the newly-released VHS in Blockbuster. I believe that Arcade was my first exposure to the lovely Ms. Ward. It latched on to the virtual reality fad of the early 1990s, and honestly, I'm surprised that no one has decided to remake it, or create a legacy sequel. With systems such as Meta Quest and PlayStation VR, and gaming culture being even more popular now than it was then, with gamers streaming on Twitch and Youtube, a movie about a virtual reality video game that tries to kill its players could work even better today than it did over 30 years

Anyway, unlike Crash and Burn, I've only owned Arcade on DVD since Full Moon released it in 2012. The DVD presents the movie in 4:3 fullscreen, just like the VHS I watched 20 years earlier, and it looks good. Certainly much better than the Crash and Burn DVD from Koch. Extras are limited to just the VideoZone "Behind the Scenes" segment (9:42).

I was excited when I heard that Full Moon would release the film on Blu-ray in late July of 2025. I was a bit disappointed when I started playing it and found that instead of a new high-definition film transfer, it plays at 60fps interlaced from an upscaled video master. Based on the end credits listing "film-to-tape transfer", I have to believe that Arcade was shot on film, but the digital effects were composited on tape. Apparently Full Moon never made a film master from that; so I guess it was never shown theatrically. My guess is that in order to have a proper HD transfer now, all of the film elements (assuming they still exist) would need to be re-scanned and all of the effects re-done and re-composited digitally. While Paramount may have the funds to do that for Star Trek, Full Moon sure as hell doesn't. Of course, Full Moon could have done what Warner Brothers did for Captain Planet: transfer the film elements and insert upscaled video for all shots that have the computer effects in them.

That's not to say that the Blu-ray looks bad. In fact, and this may be a bit ironic, I think that the "video game" scenes with digital special effects look better than the "real world" scenes that were shot on film. What really makes the Blu-ray better than the DVD is the wealth of extras. The VideoZone segment is still here, and joining it is a new audio commentary with Charles Band and Megan Ward, the final trailer (1:44) (possibly a fake re-recreation), a vintage John de Lancie interview (15:42), and a "VFX Reel" (18:03) that is really just the "video game" scenes with the original special effects from the workprint. I'll discuss this other version and the trailers at the end of this article.

Although the Blu-ray looks good, or at least passable, through normal viewing, I was curious as to how it would look when directly compared to the DVD on the frame level. I figured that others might be interested, as well, so I present a series of frames from both the DVD and the Blu-ray. I narrowed it down to 25 images, from beginning to end. Time codes are provided, in case you want to play along. The DVD contains the original "Full Moon Entertainment" logo at the start, while the Blu-ray has the new "Full Moon Features" logo (in 16:9 even though the movie is 4:3). This presents a very slight time difference; both versions align at 0:22 on DVD and 0:17 on Blu-ray.

The 720x480 DVD has a tiny bit of blackness on the sides, while the 1920x1080 Blu-ray has a lot because it is a 1.33:1 image fit into a 1.78:1 frame. Aside from this first image, which is provided for framing purposes, all blackness has been cropped out of the frames below. The DVD has a sliver more image on all sides, because the Blu-ray is zoomed in a tiny bit, but it's still obvious that the Blu-ray is the clear winner all around, even with it being an upscale. All images can be enlarged for the fullsize 700x540 DVD and 1440x1920 Blu-ray images.

FRAMING 01. (0:02.54.856 / 0:02.49.736) - After the opening credits we meet Alex Manning, played by the beautiful Megan Ward. She awakens in a startled state, which is as good a shot as any to see how each movie is framed.


01. (0:04:50.530 / 0:04:45.387) - Here we see Greg (Bryan Dattilo), Laurie (A.J. Langer), and Stilts (Seth Green) hanging out at school. What's interesting here isn't that the colors pop better on Blu-ray, but rather that this is one of MANY examples of macroblocking on the Blu-ray. At least I think this is macroblocking. The third image, which is a non-enlargable close-up of a few parts of the full Blu-ray image, shows that there are several checkerboard patterns across the image. Seth Green's face looks really sickly. I've noticed this in several shots in the movie, but only in the first few frames at the start of a shot. Feel free to post a comment if you can better explain what I'm seeing here. Thankfully, this doesn't appear noticeable during normal viewing.


02. (0:07:52.604 / 0:07:47.433) - The exterior of the Dante's Inferno arcade. If you look carefully, you can see that the Blu-ray image is slightly zoomed in, as a sliver is missing on all sides. Nothing major, thankfully, and you'd only notice it if doing a frame-by-frame comparison with a DVD or other source that has the extra image details.


03. (0:09:58.314 / 0:09:53.137) - The first few scenes inside Dante's Inferno are extremely dark on the Blu-ray. It doesn't help that the place is meant to be foggy and mysterious, but you can hardly see the faces of Finster (Don Stark) and DeLoache (B.J. Barie) on the Blu-ray.


04. (0:16:51.927 / 0:16:46.771) - Greg tries out the new Arcade machine at Dante's Inferno, as Difford (John de Lancie), the representative from Vertigo/tronics, shows him how it works. Nick (Peter Billingsley) and Laurie look on. The DVD has red faces while the Blu-ray looks more natural.


05. (0:22:30.815 / 0:22:25.644) - Photos of Alex and her deceased mother (Sharon Farrell). As with example #1, this is another example of checkerboard patterns across the image on the Blu-ray. The third image, which is a non-enlargable close-up of a few parts of the full Blu-ray image, shows the patterns primarily in the upper left corner of the frame on the photograph's white borders, as well as on the mother's cheek and face, and Alex's upper lip and chest.


06. (0:24:26.034 / 0:24:20.858) - Alex plays the home version of Arcade. Not too much difference to note here, though I wanted to show a photo of the adorable Megan Ward ala the film's iconic movie poster and VHS box art.


07. (0:28:27.055 / 0:28:21.899) - The fractal looks more colorful on Blu-ray.


08. (0:37:52.848 / 0:37:47.648) - Laurie has been entranced by the game, as Nick and Alex look on. I really think the DVD might have been lightened up too much, as the white level looks a little blown out in the lamp. The contrast looks much better on the Blu-ray. This scene takes place during the day...


09. (0:39:41.616 / 0:39:36.414) - ...but you wouldn't know that a few minutes later when Arcade causes a windstorm in the room. While the DVD still shows it as daytime, for some inexplicable reason, a day-for-night blue-tint filter was applied on the Blu-ray. Bear in mind, it is broad daylight when Nick and Alex get to the house, and when they leave right after. Full Moon left off needed day-for-night filters on the Crash and Burn Blu-ray, but added one where it wasn't needed on the Arcade Blu-ray.


10. (0:41:18.844 / 0:41:13.638) - This shot of gorgeous Megan is from the scene of Alex and Nick talking outside of Laurie's house, which shows that it's still daytime. This also shows that, despite being an upscale, there is a noticeable improvement in detail on the Blu-ray when compared to the DVD.


11. (0:45:07.139 / 0:45:01.922) - Difford in his office at Vertigo/tronics headquarters. This is a good example of the Blu-ray losing minor details around the edges. You can barely even see the windows at the top of the frame on the Blu-ray. This is also a good example of the DVD white level being a bit blown out, as evident by those same windows.


12. (0:48:10.120 / 0:48:04.876) - The Arcade schematics, which looks more like an undefined bar graph to me. If the Blu-ray were sourced from film elements, the text on this would be super sharp. It's at least readable compared to the DVD.


13. (0:56:10.483 / 0:56:05.295) - Arcade's face. The Blu-ray definitely looks better than the DVD. Not to the degree that it should, but it's still an improvement.


14. (0:57:14.686 / 0:57:09.509) - Nick and Alex go back inside the Arcade machine to save their friends. Detail is definitely better on Blu-ray.


15. (0:57:15.665 / 0:57:10.426) - Alex wrote the "schematic" on her arm... if you consider a list of levels with the direction of "get keys" as a schematic :-)


16. (0:59:08.744 / 0:59:03.539) - Alex on the second level looking at the fractal.


17. (1:00:13.376 / 1:00:08.170) - Benz (Brandon Rane) in the "pit" holding the second level key.


18. (1:00:47.521 / 1:00:42.350) - The "Accessed Key" computer graphic shown when Alex obtains a level key.


19. (1:01:15.204 / 1:01:09.975) - The Screamer. The texture on the wings is more defined on Blu-ray.


20. (1:03:03.284 / 1:02:58.073) - Alex at the Port of Decision. Gotta love the cheesy computer graphics in the background.


21. (1:06:48.152 / 1:06:42.715) - The "Level 5: Begin Skycycle Chase" screen. The Blu-ray does have some haloing around the text, but it still looks better than the DVD.


22. (1:07:26.436 / 1:07:21.239) - The new non-Tron-like Skycycle for our heroes. It actually looks really good, even 30+ years later, especially on Blu-ray.


23. (1:07:31.719 / 1:07:26.509) - The bad guy's Skullcycle is even cooler.


24. (1:09:00.836 / 1:08:55.597) - Arcade's Inner Sanctum. More detail is seen on Blu-ray, such as Alex on the monitor in the robot's chest


25. (1:09:58.593 / 1:09:53.371) - Alex wakes up. Was it all a dream? Well, it's definitely a movie set, as we see set lights and no ceiling at the top of the frame. The DVD shows a bit more, of course.



Arcade had a bit of a troubled production history. I don't know how much of the information out there is correct, but this is what seems to be the case: Filming took place between February and March of 1991, with the film slated to be released on video in late 1991 in the United States. The U.S. release date got pushed to September of 1992, then February of 1993, and finally settled on March of 1994. The general consensus for the constantly delayed release is due to the threat of a lawsuit by The Walt Disney Company because the original "video game" computer graphics featured Skycycles that resembled the Light Cycles from Disney's Tron. The final film features completely different, and much better, "video game" computer graphics.

The original version did surface on video in international territories, such as Europe and South America. Paramount Home Video issued screener tapes of the original version to various critics and potential video buyers before its intended February 1993 release was postponed. Furthermore, the VideoZone "Behind the Scenes" segment (found on the DVD and Blu-ray), as well as the early trailers, features footage from the original version.

In addition to different "video game" computer graphics, the original version (let's call it a "workprint") features alternate dialog and takes, deleted shots and scenes, a different music score, and a somewhat happier ending (because it lacks the coda of Alex back at her house). So, while it's commendable that Full Moon included the original "video game" computer graphics scenes on the Blu-ray in the "VFX Reel", it would have been better if the complete workprint were included instead; even if it was just in standard definition.

Thankfully, with the Internet being the Internet, a "VHS Rip" of the complete Paramount screener tape - with all of the ads at the front and the complete VideoZone video magazine at the end - can be found online. It's not the highest resolution, being a tiny 432x312 AVI file (2:00:41, 700MB), but it's watchable. Thanks to "RadarRyanWF89" for uploading it to the Internet Archive. Do note that since it came from a screener, it is occasionally watermarked with Paramount copyright text.


Over on YouTube, user "Full Moon Empire World" uploaded many different trailers and video promos for the film, usually sourced from other Full Moon VHS tapes. The trailer included on the Blu-ray (second one below), which runs 1:44 and is presented pillarboxed in 1920x1080, is possibly a FAKE RE-CREATION of the first one below, which I'm calling "Trailer #3" or "Final Trailer" for the sake of making this less confusing (as there are other trailers). It was sourced from the Bloodlust: Subspecies III VHS release, according to the video description.



The Blu-ray doesn't have the green MPAA screen at the start (which I edited out of the self-hosted clip above), or the credits (and Paramount screen) at the end. What makes me suspect that the Blu-ray has a re-created trailer is that it's in 1920x1080 (just like the movie), the image quality matches the movie, and there are several shots that are different when I played both trailers side-by-side. Also, at 1:08, the Blu-ray trailer has the same incorrect day-for-night filter on the shot of Nick thrusting the coat rack into the TV that's in the movie on Blu-ray, but not on the DVD or the original trailer. Not as many vastly different shots as Crash and Burn, but enough to make me think "re-creation"; especially given that Full Moon has a history of doing this. While there are many differences, most are extremely minor and quick, and some might actually be re-ordered or duplicated shots.

At 1:33 in the original trailer, and 1:28 Blu-ray trailer, are two different "video game" shots. I thought, for sure, this would be an example of Full Moon replacing a trailer shot not in the final film with a different one that is, thus proving the Blu-ray trailer to be a re-creation, but both shots appear in the final film. The top shot, taken from the original trailer above, is seen at 1:07:31 in the movie, and the bottom shot follows soon thereafter at 1:07:34. So, I can't, with 100% certainty, say that the Blu-ray trailer is fake, or a re-creation. Watch the two videos above and decide for yourself.


I'm not going to embed everything that "Full Moon Empire World" uploaded, but I will provide a nice and neat list. Click on a title and the video will play in a pop-over window. Suffice it to say, none of this content is on the Blu-ray. Also, for the sake of not giving myself more work, I will use the uploader's original names for these (with some minor changes), along with source credits from the video descriptions. All of the "Raw Footage" apparently came from the now defunct Full Moon Streaming site's "The Vault" section.

• Teaser Trailer (2:16) - From the DVD release of "Puppet Master 3" (VideoZone).
• Trailer #1 [Original CGI Version] (1:53) - From the respective Demo VHS of the original CGI Version of Arcade (1993).
• Trailer #2 (2:57) - From the VHS copy of "Trancers 3".
• Video/Screener Promo (2:28) - From the Demo VHS of "Cool World" (1992).
• Video/Screener Promo (Improved CGI) (1:53) - From the "Virgin Hunters" demo VHS.
• Argentinian Trailer (0:52)
• Raw Footage #1 (2:16) - Previously unseen test footage of the computer generated special effects used in Arcade's video game sequences.
• Raw Footage #2 (14:41) - This video footage contains extended behind-the-scenes footage of Arcade director Albert Pyun and stars Peter Billingsley and Megan Ward on the video arcade capsule set.
• Raw Footage #3 (23:45) - This video footage contains full, unedited interviews with Arcade stars Megan Ward, Seth Green, A.J. Langer, and Brandon Rane. Each actor discusses his or her role and gives in-depth insight on the hard work that went into making the film.
• Raw Footage #4 (20:25) - This video footage shows extended, unedited coverage of the cast and crew of Arcade on the special blue screen set used to shoot the intensive visual effects-heavy scenes in the film. Director Albert Pyun can be seen directing actors Peter Billingsley and Megan Ward by telling them what they will be seeing once the final visual effects are added.
• Raw Footage #5 (20:17) - This video footage shows the stars of Arcade getting down and dirty on the "pit" set for the movie. Watch actors Brandon Rane, Peter Billingsley, and Megan Ward face the challenges of doing their own stunts as director Albert Pyun offers them encouragement from behind the camera.

That same YouTube user also uploaded two different versions of the complete VideoZone video magazine, although the complete original version is already in the screener tape rip. The DVD and Blu-ray only contain the "Arcade Behind the Scenes" segment, as the rest of the VideoZone is not relevant to the movie. As far as the Arcade segment is concerned, there are two different edits. The structure and narration is mostly the same, but the film clips are different. The original version (27:48) (segment title screen: "Behind The Scenes: Arcade") has the original computer effects film clips, while the newer version (23:27) (segment title screen: "Behind The Scenes: The Making of Arcade") has the final computer effects film clips. Other clips are different in the two versions, as well. The original has successive clips of Peter Billingsley holding a blue-screen skateboard and on-set with Megan Ward, which is removed in the newer version. When the effects are discussed, the original has a lengthy interview with animation supervisor Mark Kochinski, who takes viewers through the process of creating the original (now unused) effects. The newer version has interviews with senior editor Jacques Levesque, director of animation Bruce Granofsky, and computer animator Stephane Couture, all of whom show how the final film's effects were created. The DVD and Blu-ray take the segment from the original version.

I plan to make an "Arcade Supplement DVD-R" featuring the screener tape rip (likely just the movie) and the different trailers and raw footage, which I will burn to disc and put in the case with the Blu-ray. I will make that DVD-R ISO available to all, with a link placed right here, but I don't know when I will get that done. Hopefully soon, but I make no promises. I want to take some time to do it right, and that includes fixing up all of the video to be suitable for DVD, and putting in lots of chapter marks for the screener movie. It will take some time, which I don't have much of right now. When it's done, I'll update this part of the article with a link. Of course, if someone else gets it done before me, send me an e-mail with a link to download the ISO and I'll check it out. If it's good, I'll add a link to your DVD-R ISO here, instead, with credit.

Finally, if you want to read the script for Arcade, and see how it differs from the final film, I uploaded it 10 years ago to The Corner Penthouse here. I loved the movie so much at the time of release that I ordered the script and some other goodies from Full Moon Pictures via mail order. The script cost me $20 and was signed on the protective cover by Full Moon head honcho (and the film's executive producer) Charles Band. I had it stored in a binder with full-color cover art and a four-page sell-sheet, all of which are included in my scanned PDF.

Well, that's about all I have for this. I never planned on doing such a deep dive, but I wanted to show how the quality of the upscaled Blu-ray compared to the DVD. It also gave me a chance to inform others about all of the content that is missing from the Blu-ray, namely the workprint (screener rip), all of the different trailers and promos, and the alternate VideoZone segment. Plus, this gave me an excuse to let everyone know about the movie script I uploaded here many moons ago. Anyway, the Blu-ray is available to buy right now and is RECOMMENDED as long as you are aware that it's not an HD film transfer and doesn't have the most complete collection of extras. It IS the best available version of the movie, and likely will always be.