u/Maleficent_View_2384

If you want the **older Rec Room feel**, Vanilla is usually the better choice over Radium because it’s aimed at the 2020-era experience and is described as a separate port of that version. Radium is also a nostalgia revival, but it leans more into a 2021-style community project with more custom changes and modded content, so it feels less like a pure “classic” version.[1][4][6][11]

## Reasons to pick Vanilla

- It aims at an earlier, simpler Rec Room vibe, which is what many players want from a revival.[6][11]
- It’s presented as a more direct return to old Rec Room rather than a heavily customized fan project.[11][6]
- If you prefer a cleaner nostalgia experience, Vanilla is closer to “just old Rec Room” instead of “old Rec Room plus extras”.[1][11]
- It may feel more familiar if you remember the 2020 era specifically, since that’s the version it’s based on.[6][11]

## Why not Radium

- Radium is fan-made and unofficial, with its own custom content and direction.[4][1]
- It focuses on a 2021-style revival, not the earlier 2020 feel.[4][1]
- Because it adds custom mods, events, and altered systems, it can feel less authentic if what you want is the pure classic experience.[3][1]
- Some players choose it for extras and progression changes, but that is a different appeal from Vanilla’s more straightforward nostalgia focus.[2][3]

## Simple choice

Choose **Vanilla** if you want the closest thing to old-school Rec Room with less added stuff. Choose **Radium** if you want a revival with more custom features and don’t mind it being less faithful to the original feel.[3][11][1][6]

Sources
[1] Radium vs Rec Room: Biggest Differences Explained | Old Rec Room Revival https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMMAoGkSGIA
[2] Is Radium BETTER Than Rec Room??? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83ev6\_Dyhmc
[3] Why YOU Should DOWNLOAD Radium! | Rec Room Alternative https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEm\_F3KT-\_k
[4] Is Radium the New Rec Room? Radium Rec Room Explained https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpT\_aPohAk4
[5] Possibly the best rec room copy?? | Radium 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3272ApaaGKM
[6] Rec room revivals that you can play when the game closes its doors. https://www.reddit.com/r/RecRoom/comments/1sbncps/rec\_room\_revivals\_that\_you\_can\_play\_when\_the\_game/
[7] I played CLASSIC Rec Room (Radium) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-zJqbf8RSU
[8] Is Radium Safe? (Legacy Rec Room) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0HfNHmLS9g
[9] Rec Room alternative to play after shut down, and my idea https://forum.rec.net/t/rec-room-alternative-to-play-after-shut-down-and-my-idea/11932
[10] Everything You Need To Know About Radium's 2023 Update! | Radium https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQTIWe-Ie9Y
[11] So I’m now playing Vanilla (Old Rec Room) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X91vrECSL6M