Microsoft MakeCode Arcade vs Pixel Vision 8

Struggling to choose between Microsoft MakeCode Arcade and Pixel Vision 8? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Microsoft MakeCode Arcade is a Games solution with tags like coding, block-coding, game-design, retro, arcade.

It boasts features such as Block coding interface, Sprite editor, Sound effects, Music, Hundreds of game examples, Remixable games, Multiplayer support, Works on phones, tablets, and desktop browsers and pros including Free and open source, Easy to use block coding, Great for beginners, Large library of examples, Active community support.

On the other hand, Pixel Vision 8 is a Games product tagged with retro, 8bit, 2d, game-engine, ide, visual-scripting, sprite-editor, map-editor, sound-editor, music-editor, palette-editor.

Its standout features include 8-bit retro pixel art style, Simple visual scripting system, Built-in editors for sprites, maps, sounds, music and palettes, Export games to multiple platforms, Online sharing and playing games, Modular system for creating games and tools, Support for controllers, and it shines with pros like Nostalgic retro aesthetic, Easy to learn and use, Active community support, Affordable one-time purchase, Cross-platform exporting, Online sharing makes it social.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Microsoft MakeCode Arcade

Microsoft MakeCode Arcade

Microsoft MakeCode Arcade is a free, open-source web-based platform that allows users to create retro arcade games using block coding. It features Sprite Editor, sound effects, music, overlays and hundreds of game examples to remix.

Categories:
coding block-coding game-design retro arcade

Microsoft MakeCode Arcade Features

  1. Block coding interface
  2. Sprite editor
  3. Sound effects
  4. Music
  5. Hundreds of game examples
  6. Remixable games
  7. Multiplayer support
  8. Works on phones, tablets, and desktop browsers

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

Easy to use block coding

Great for beginners

Large library of examples

Active community support

Cons

Limited functionality compared to advanced game engines

Games can only be played in browser

Limited customization options

No monetization options


Pixel Vision 8

Pixel Vision 8

Pixel Vision 8 is a retro-inspired 2D game engine and IDE that emulates the look and feel of creating games on 8-bit consoles. It uses a simple visual scripting system and built-in editors for sprite, map, sound, music and palette creation.

Categories:
retro 8bit 2d game-engine ide visual-scripting sprite-editor map-editor sound-editor music-editor palette-editor

Pixel Vision 8 Features

  1. 8-bit retro pixel art style
  2. Simple visual scripting system
  3. Built-in editors for sprites, maps, sounds, music and palettes
  4. Export games to multiple platforms
  5. Online sharing and playing games
  6. Modular system for creating games and tools
  7. Support for controllers

Pricing

  • One-time Purchase

Pros

Nostalgic retro aesthetic

Easy to learn and use

Active community support

Affordable one-time purchase

Cross-platform exporting

Online sharing makes it social

Cons

Limited to 8-bit style games

Less powerful than modern game engines

Small user base compared to major engines

Limited documentation