Despite it's many strengths, there are a few things many will find a little disappointing.
As I have already stated, GR does a lot of things right. The game selection already is fairly impressive, with some 30-odd titles available as of the time of writing, with games from both the ATARI 2600, Intellivision, and various Coin-Op arcade games being present. More titles are promised every week, so there's lot to like in terms of the games offered.
The games themselves of course operate perfectly, and play really well, which of-course is to be expected on today's hardware. GR does a lot to try and usher in an atmosphere of yesteryear , going so far as to try offer control schemes as close to the original as possible, and offering different modes of play (ie. allowing difficulty switches present on the original console etc.).
The game's overall presentation is really great, though there are a few oddities present. As a whole, the program looks fine, and the presence of your friends anonymously playing away in the arcade is a cool little quirk. The whole concept is really quite cool, and the ability to set up and outfit the rooms of your arcade is nice, customisation (i know, again) still feels a little limited.
One of my favorite aspects of the package's overall presentation is the sound. The whole time you're in the GR all these different game sounds and music are echoing all around you, and despite the lack of human voices, they goes a long way to add to the feeling of being in an arcade.
My only gripe with the presentation is it can be a little confusing at first to figure out exactly how to do what you want to do, with the interface being not necessarily overly complicated, but just a tad nonsensical. But maybe it's just me.
The community features of the game are interesting too, though i haven't tried many of them. You have the ability to set challenges for your friends in different games and travel between your friends arcades and play their games which may be a real selling point for many people. Then of course there are the all important leaderboards, bound to of course keep those obsessive score hunters awake for hours, just to topple that bastard who dared beat your score in "Asteroid".
Another interesting method GR utilises in an attempt to coerce you you into buying games is it's leveling up system. in different games, medals will be awarded for completing different goals, whether they're score/time based or otherwise. Depending on how you perform, you'll level up, which basically does nothing more than unlock new items with which to outfit your arcade and to prove to all your friends that you really are the bigger nerd. Some people won't care in the slightest. Some people will may well lose their social life. I for one -I'm happy to announce- are part of the former.
Of course, as I have mentioned, the one thing that threatens all of this is the presence of considerable price tags on the games and many of the items with which to outfit your room. As often is the case, money is going to be the make or break point for their interest in GR. Games are 240 ms points, which here in the land of Oz equates to 3-4 dollars, or some $3 dollars US. While this isn't huge, it is enough that many will stop and think twice about purchasing the game. For some people that will just kill GR right then and there. They'll drop it and won't ever spare another thought for it. Many I've talked to have been in this category; arguing they don't see the merit in buying a 30 year-old game for 240 MS Points, when they could just as easily spend two or three times that on a new game. It's just the way it'll be for some people.
Game Room is an interesting package with a great premise, some sweet old-school arcade gaming, impressive presentation and some nice community features, but ultimately, the fun gamers will get out of it will depend largely on their love for old arcade gaming, and their willingness to part with their MS Points.