Retro gaming has been a big part of the industry for the last few years. Much like the movie industry, companies seem to be digging into their archives and are re-releasing classic games for audiences young and old. Thankfully, from the collections we have been offered, there are very few that are not worth your hard-earned dollars. Better yet, like the Midway Arcade Treasures series, they come at an easily affordable $19.99! What could be argued as good and bad about the latest Midway collection is that some of these versions are not from the actual arcade games, but from ports of previous console versions. Regardless, the games are still strong, and with the example of Rush 2049, which is a Dreamcast port, that was actually even better than the arcade version. This is still the perfect idea for those who wished that they had these games in their homes, but didn't want to pay the ridiculous price for the cabinets.

Midway Arcade Treasures 3 is a compilarion focused solely on racing titles. What's more, a few of these are still in many local arcades, and do not look so ancient as compared to current generation games. The line-up maybe is smaller than the previous Treasures collection, but the quality of the games provides a greater longevity than the 80's quarter munchers do.

First off is one of my favorites, Hydro Thunder. A hugely popular arcade game that was filled with fun and addicting over-the-top speedboat game play. This game has great visuals, large branching tracks, hidden short cuts, fast turbo boosts, exhilarating jumps, and so much fun in multiplayer that you will be cursing your friends after loosing by .001 seconds. I was a bit upset that this was the Dreamcast version, as the game is bit less detailed and blurrier than the arcade version. In addition, there is a bit of framerate hiccups not seen in the arcade version as well. Otherwise, this was a very solid port and brings home all the thrills you paid for in the arcades.

Next is Rush 2049, arguably the best game on the collection. What was a great arcade game, and still is mind you, was brought home on the Dreamcast, which is the port you receive in Treasures 3. This is the definitive Rush title supplying huge jumps, flying mechanics, crashes with explosions, a good variety of cars and tracks, shortcuts and alternate paths, unlockables when collecting gold and silver coins, a 2-4 player Battle Mode, and fun, fun, fun till your daddy takes the T-Bird away!

Off-Road Thunder is the mud-sliding second cousin of Hydro Thunder. While not as polished or fun as Hydro, there is still some grand racing to be had here. You have your basic Rally mode, a demolition mode, and Snag the Flag that has you grabbing a flag and holding on to it as long as you can. The seven tracks provide plenty of replay value and the gameplay is frantic thanks to the nitro boost pick-ups.

Rush: The Rock is not a new WWE Dwayne Johnson replacement, it is not a new Sean Connery/Nick Cage film, but it is another of the Rush series titles set around Alcatraz. It is fun, but very bare bones with seven tracks, a few car selections, shortcuts and alternate paths, and jumps galore. Not the quintessential Rush title, but still very solid and a great addition to any Rush fan's collection.

S.T.U.N. Runner is short for Spread Tunnel Underground Network. You travel ahead in time to the 21st Century (Yes... ahead in time back then) and experience the thrill of racing in a futuristic form of competitive driving. Players pilot vehicle capable of attaining speeds of over 900 miles per hour. The object is to get from point A to B in the shortest amount of time. Can you reach the Ultimate Challenge?

Badlands is a racing title set after a nuclear disaster based off the Championship and Super Sprint engines. A fun nostalgic racer, but not a title that will sell this collection on its own.

Race Drivin' is the sequel to the dull Hard Drivin' title, but really doesn't achieve much more than its predecessor does. Sure there are more loops and stunts, but this game was made as a driving simulation, and younger gamers who have grown up on today's driving simulator (Gran Turismo) will have a hard time understanding what made this game even playable in the first place. Nostalgia buffs only here.

Finally, you have the fun, yet simplistic Super Off-Road. You compete on eight different tracks, with of total of sixteen configurations. Packed with jumps, bumps, hills, holes, and other obstacles, obtaining that big cash prize at the end takes patience and skill. Keep in mind that this version includes the Super Off-Road Track Pak, which is an updated version of the game with more tracks and a new selectable Dune Buggy.

If you are a retro addict, this is easily one of the better collections out there, provided you dig racing games. With the chance to post your scores on the net, this one has a lot of playability if you are one who thrives on those bragging rights. I am just happy to see Rush 2049 and Hydro Thunder back home once again.