If you searched Stranger Things Netflix 2026 episodes hoping for a new season announcement, we have some news. It is not the news you wanted.
Stranger Things Arcade is a new official game from Raw Thrills, landing in physical arcade locations this summer. Up to four players battle Demogorgons, Demobats, Demodogs and Vecna across Hawkins and the Upside Down. Sounds fine so far.
Except instead of shooting anything, you throw foam balls at them. The game uses Raw Thrills’ proprietary Thrill-Scan ball sensing system for accuracy; a mechanic that most players have found far too juvenile.
What Are Fans Actually Saying?
They are not being kind.
“Thought I was going to be able to shoot some Demogorgons, but instead I threw balls at them,” one Reddit user wrote.
“I guess they ran out of ideas. Usually this company makes pretty good arcade machines like the Terminator, Walking Dead and Alien ones. Sad that the flop was a Stranger Things one,” said another.
The game initially rolled out at Dave and Buster’s locations across the US before a wider rollout this summer.
Is It Really Worse Than the Finale?
According to the internet, yes. Early reactions describe it as an even bigger letdown than the main series’ already divisive Season 5 finale. That is saying something given how split the fanbase was over how the show ended.
What’s Actually Coming for the Franchise?
The animated spinoff Stranger Things: Tales From ’85 remains the genuine hope for fans who want real story content. That is still on the way. The foam ball situation is, unfortunately, also still on the way, to an arcade near you this summer.
The Upside Down is calling. Send it back.
