About Active Arcade
My grandson, Ben, was over for Sunday dinner a month ago and showed me this game on his phone. He was jumping around my living room hitting virtual moles. I thought it looked silly, but he insisted I try. I downloaded it on my Google Pixel 7 that evening, mostly to humor him. I figured it would be too complicated for me. To my surprise, it wasn’t. The app just uses your phone’s camera to see you move. There’s no controller to learn or buttons to press. You just move your body. It’s made by a company called Nex Team. For a retiree like me who gets bored with plain old walking, it turned out to be a clever little trick to make exercise feel less like a chore.
Core Features
The main thing is the games. You prop your phone up against something—I use the sugar jar on my kitchen table—and step back. The camera turns you into the controller. There’s a whack-a-mole game where you squat to hit moles and jump for birds. Let me tell you, after three rounds my legs were talking to me. There’s another where you dodge left and right to avoid obstacles, which is good for my balance. It keeps a simple tally of your “active minutes” and guesses how many calories you burn, which is a nice little pat on the back. They also have these daily challenges, like “hit 50 moles today.” I find myself checking it in the morning with my coffee to see what the goal is. It gives me a small, clear thing to accomplish.
Real-World Use
I use it most mornings after I finish the crossword. It’s become part of my routine. I clear a space in front of the TV, put my phone on the coffee table, and play for about 10 or 15 minutes. It’s genuinely fun. The first time I got a high score in the reflex game, I actually let out a “whoop!” and my husband came in from the garage to see what happened. We had a good laugh. It’s not all perfect, though. You need a pretty clear area. I had to start moving my favorite armchair out of the way, which is a bit of a pain. And sometimes, if the sun is shining directly through the patio door, the camera has a hard time seeing me and I have to adjust the blinds.
Pricing & Value
The best part? It didn’t cost me a thing. The app is completely free. No monthly subscription, no asking for my credit card. Sometimes a short ad plays after a few games, but it’s never in the middle of playing. You can watch an ad on purpose to get some extra coins in the game, but I never feel forced to. For a free app that gets me up and moving, I really can’t complain. It’s provided more entertainment and activity than some things I’ve actually paid for.
Updates & Support
I haven’t had any problems bad enough to need help, so I can’t speak to their customer service. Looking at the reviews in the app store, other people seem to have mixed experiences getting replies. As for updates, the app did add a new soccer-heading game since I got it. I tried it once. It was fine, but I stick to my two favorite games. It’s good to know they’re still adding things, I suppose. I just hope they don’t clutter it up with too much fancy stuff and keep it simple.
Data & Privacy
This was a concern for me. The app needs access to your camera, which feels very personal. I read their privacy policy—well, I skimmed the important bits. They say the camera data is processed right on your phone and isn’t sent to their servers. Your exercise history is stored locally too. They do collect some anonymous data about how the app is used, which is pretty standard. I decided I was comfortable with it for this purpose. I’m not doing my banking in front of it, just jumping around. I do make sure to close the app completely when I’m done, just to be safe.
How does Active Arcade track my movements without any special equipment?
Active Arcade uses your phone's camera to see you move, turning your body into the controller. You just prop your phone up, step back, and the app detects your actions like squats, jumps, and dodges. There are no buttons or external gadgets needed.
What kind of games and goals does Active Arcade offer?
The app includes games like whack-a-mole where you squat and jump, and a dodge game that tests your balance. It also tracks your active minutes and calories, plus offers daily challenges like hitting 50 moles to keep you motivated.
I don't have much space at home. Can I still play Active Arcade?
You need a clear area of a few feet to move safely, since the camera tracks your full body. If furniture is in the way, like an armchair, you may need to shift it temporarily. A living room or kitchen with open floor space works best.
Why does my phone need to be propped up, and what if it falls over during play?
The phone must be stable and at a good height for the camera to see you fully. You can lean it against a sturdy object like a jar or book. If it falls, try using a phone stand or taping it to a wall to avoid interruptions.
How does Active Arcade compare to fitness games like Nintendo Ring Fit Adventure?
Active Arcade is simpler and requires no extra hardware—just your phone's camera. Ring Fit uses a controller and leg strap, which can be more engaging for some, but Active Arcade is easier to start and feels more like quick, playful exercise.
