BACKROOMS ZX - This new ZX Spectrum game by AmikoES is rather decent

The ZX Spectrum gets another brilliant game with the release of BACKROOMS ZX by AmikoES, a gripping new title that challenges players to survive and conquer the unsettling depths of the infamous Backrooms. Testing the boundaries of player grit and intelligence, this retro title shifts seamlessly between side-scrolling action and top-down perspectives to make every single corridor feel like a dangerous frontier. Players can choose between two distinct gameplay styles: a relentless, danger-filled Arcade Mode packed with constant conflict, or a free-roaming Exploration Mode tailored for those who want to investigate the impossible geometry at their own pace. Whichever path they choose, adventurers must navigate tricky platforming jumps, dangerous traps, sudden scares, and aggressive boss encounters.

GLITCHSIST - A striking new action-platformer built for the ZX Spectrum by Tartessos Games

Another homebrew to keep you company throughout this week as developer Tartessos Games has officially unveiled GLITCHSIST, a striking new action-platformer built for the ZX Spectrum. Set against a bleak, neon-drenched backdrop, the game plunges players into a grim future where mega-corporations have entirely subjugated human consciousness. It's down to you as a deep-cover operative who has successfully infiltrated the ranks of AOX Corp, to completely destroy Project DELTA and free the shackled identities of the human race.

Cyber Wraith - Another fantastic speccy game makes an appearance

If you're feeling glum and want some fresh news for a Thursday, then we have just found out that sisko_MSX has officially launched Cyber Wraith, an intense new sci-fi action title for the ZX Spectrum. The game drops players into a desperate sci-fi nightmare. The distant planet NOIRYS-9 has completely fallen to a hostile invasion of malicious mechanical constructs. Every local facility and outpost is now locked down under the iron fist of the Great Cyber, a ruthless artificial intelligence that has physically reshaped the entire celestial body into a sprawling, metallic bastion.

Echodrome - This Commodore Amiga game by PixelPlop is fantastic! [UPDATE]

Echodrome, the high-octane arena shooter from developer PixelPlop, has not only taken the first place crown in the AmiGameJam 2025 but as of this week there's a new build released as v0.12. Created over six months using C++, this "Return of the Arcade" entry has quickly become a standout for modern Amiga enthusiasts, earning a perfect 5.0 rating on itch.io. A game that has also gained feedback such as "This must be one of the best "amiga only" arcade game ever!" and "This game is awesome. Donated! :)"

Brek'n'Bubble - A Block'n'Bubble and Brektwon mash up as a new action and logical puzzle game for the C64

What does a wizard do once he’s already conquered the vaults of the Seraphim? For the protagonist of the new Commodore 64 title Brek’n’Bubble, the answer isn’t "relax." Despite living in a magnificent, newly-purchased castle surrounded by buffed golden goblets and polished diamonds, our hero has found that extreme wealth comes with even more extreme boredom. Seeing an opportunity to both outshine his relative and find some new decor for his dining hall, the wizard sets off for Brektwon's island. Surely there were still a few coins and pretty necklaces to be fetched as decoration for his dining hall!

Chrome Horizon - This nod to R-Type as a prototype C64 game looks pretty decent [UPDATE]

The legendary Commodore 64 has just got another great Shoot 'em up for you to try, as retroteamgames has released another update for their breakthrough prototype called Chrome Horizon. Far from a standard hobbyist project, this title aims to prove that the "breadbin" still has untapped potential when paired with modern development workflows. In fact not only was this game written entirely in C using the Oscar64 compiler, but it has advanced Raster IRQ multiplexing, supporting 16+ simultaneous hardware sprites., ultra-smooth 50/60fps parallax scrolling logic and a custom SID music routine integration.

Xeno Genesis - A possibly unheard of Amiga shoot'em up action game has been recovered

The Commodore Amiga community may have just witnessed a piece of digital history resurface: a seemingly unpreserved shoot 'em up titled Xeno Genesis by Demantoid Productions. Published by Danish PD/Shareware distributor Cat Computer Club, but screenshots shows the original publisher was meant to be Microvalue. While helping his brother clear out his loft, a user discovered a box of old Amiga disks. Among the common titles was this mystery game, which—despite the harsh storage conditions of the last 20+ years—successfully booted on the first try after a quick cleaning to remove dust and a stray spider leg. 

Impact Armor Alpha - A WIP old school mech platformer for the Commodore Amiga [UPDATE]

Already we've had so many Amiga game news stories, that at times I could hardly keep up! Games such as Cake Rush, Ghosts'n Goblins, Project Horizon, and Zippy Race, are just some of the ones I've featured already. Well the Amiga news just keeps on going. As I've been informed that 2Bit Combo, is not only still working on a mech platformer called 'Operation Steel Rain'. But the developer has announced with a demo 'Impact Armor Alpha'. A prequel to the main game made with Earok's Scorpion Engine.

Steel Ranger 2 - Hessian creators Covert Bitops are working on another fantastic C64 game!

If you've ever heard of Covert Bitops then you would've known they released the fantastic action adventure game ' Hessian ' for the C64 in 2016. A game which blew us away with over 667 screens with specialized AI enemies found throughout that must either be avoided or shot at. Well as of this moment we have learnt Covert Bitops are still working on a game called Steel Ranger 2 which is looking just as impressive!

Cold Blood - An action Pac-Man clone makes an appearance on the MSX

We've featured Pac-Man so many times now on the website, I'm starting to wonder if we should call ourselves Indie Pac Man News. Well that's unlikely to happen, but if you're looking to play another Pac-Man clone on your MSX, it might be worth checking out the latest game of 'Cold Blood' by Paxanga Software. A mix of an arcade dot chomping game with a bit of action, that can be seen in this latest gameplay footage provided below.

Renegade - An Arcade classic as an Amiga AGA edition by Dave Douglas! [v1.5 UPDATE]

In the 1980s Ocean Software ( Imagine Label) released a fine beat 'em up for many different 8bit systems. It was a game that involved you as a street fighter, fighting gangs, in order to rescue his girlfriend, who is being held captive by a mafia boss. Sadly, however, when it comes to the Amiga version, it was pretty terrible! With one person on the Lemon Amiga site saying it's "pure crap." Well, fast forward to today, and thanks to Douglas letting us know, he has released the Renegade Amiga AGA edition. An overhauled version that should be as faithful as possible to the Arcade.

Jessica Steel - Bloodmonger - A new C64 SEUCK game by Christian Siege with a banging tune by Richard/TND

The latest SEUCK competition entry has appeared and it's 'Jessica Steel - Bloodmonger' by Christian Siege and Richard/TND. This homebrew C64 title is an arcade action game that features side scrolling gameplay, enemy avoidance and one of the best tunes to appear in the competition. While it isn't the best game that's been added to the competition, if you have a C64 set up with some decent speakers you'll be turning that volume right up!

Chikubi Ninja - A rather decent action platformer for the MSX 2 by Imanok

Are those supposed to be eyes? ;)

It's nearly the end of 2025 and with the competition still ongoing, we've been informed that Imanok has entered a rather decent action platformer for the MSX 2 called 'Chikubi Jinja'. A game that the MSXDev page says "it comes with a groovy PSG soundtrack, where sharp reflexes and quick decisions are key to defeating every opponent." In light of this news if you have an MSX 2 or an MSX2+/turboR, then make sure to check out the footage and the download linked below.

Rebel Wars - The Amstrad and ZX Spectrum gets a great action game by Mananuk!

Paleto Jones 2, The Mandarin 2, Black Sea, The Mandarin 2, and many others were all created by Mananuk. A developer that likes creating different gaming styles on a multitude of systems, such as the Amstrad and ZX Spectrum. Well fast forward to today and as a double bonanza, he's released a new action game for yes you guessed it, the Amstrad and ZX Spectrum. A game whereby you play as the soldier of the star alliance Orion Kane and are tasked with boarding one of the enemy star corvettes.

Exo-Tical - Check out this awesome game for the MSX by Roolandoo

Fancy playing an MSX game that the MSXdev25 competition page says " As with any Roolandoo game, you know two things are going to happen. It is going to look good, and it is going to play hard ", then come and check out the latest release called 'Exo-Tical' by Roolandoo. An awesome game, whereby you'll be piloting a spaceship across an unexplored planet, and dealing with some pretty dangerous enemies. If that sounds like your sort of game, then make sure to check out the footage and game details below.

Duke Nukem 3D - An updated AGA/RTG port for the Amiga by NovaCoder

Although it's rare, there are occasions when we miss out on the latest Amiga releases, which is usually because we don't get the news sent to us, or it involves a lot more than delving into the depths of a hard forum discussion. Well thankfully one of our readers has sent us a number of Amiga updates, with one of them announcing a new version of NovaCoder's Duke Nukem 3D AGA/RTG port for the Amiga.  An all time classic game originally released in the 90's for the PC and other systems.

Cindy Block - Smooth gameplay at 50 frames per second on your ZX Spectrum

Kubanoid, ASYMMETRY, Travel Unlimited, and Cubix, aren't the only games worth shouting about on Indie Retro News for the ZX Spectrum, as here's another game that's worth checking out, and it's the action puzzle game 'Cindy Block' by Grongy, Art-top and n1k-o. A game that's noted by the team as containing, "smooth gameplay at 50 frames per second and plenty of visual effects." To coincide with this news, provided below is the latest footage and game details from the YRGB competition website.

Undead - A Splatterhouse and Vigilante mix is coming to your C64 and PC!

I think that's enough Amiga news for this weekend, as turning to the C64 for our retro goodness, and I've found out that at some point in the near future, Brains Limited will be releasing their action slasher of 'Undead' for both the C64 and PC. A game that's described as a brutal and humorous 2D belt-scroller with hundreds of frames of hand-crafted animation. A game that's full of all the punching, kicking, throwing and decapitation you could want in 100x120px glory. To coincide with this news, provided below is footage from both the C64 and PC version.

Thunder Bird - A Western themed action shooter by Eleanor Burns for the C64

When it comes to games developed using the SEUCK engine, they are usually Shoot 'em ups that vary in quality, with some feeling a bit boring and rather samey. Thankfully 'Thunder Bird' by Eleanor Burns is an exception. As not only is it a Western themed action six shooter platformer, but you'll have fun blasting different enemies with gun in hand such as snakes and nasty miners. To coincide with this news, we've got the full details and gameplay footage below.

Krogharr - Inviyya creator's upcoming Commodore Amiga action slasher gets a new tease!

We were one of the first gaming websites to give you the heads up about TIGERSKUNK's amazing Shoot 'em up of Inviyya; a game with amazing scrolling graphics, super action, great sound effects, and a real hark back to days of R-Type or Project-X. Well time has passed since its release, as this week the same developer has now shown off a new video tease to his upcoming fighting game for the Amiga called 'Krogharr'; a new OCS action slasher which was mentioned some time ago in our very own Facebook group Commodore Amiga!