The Crimson Diamond - A glorious nod to classic 80's Adventure games via Itch and Steam!

We turn our attention away from 8bit gaming for this latest update, as if you're looking for a high quality Adventure game to keep you company via Itch io and Steam, then you may be interested in playing Julia Minamata's glorious nod to classic 80's Adventure games of 'The Crimson Diamond'; A game in which you play as amateur geologist and reluctant detective Nancy Maple to the ghost town of Crimson, Ontario to investigate the discovery of a massive diamond! To coincide with this news, we've got the latest trailer and some more game info.

Mineshaft Gap - A real-time strategy game for the C64 by Drmortalwombat

While it's been nice to take a bit of a break from endlessly writing day after day, I thought it would be best to at least write up one article for Wednesday, with Drmortalwombat's new Commodore 64 game of Mineshaft Gap. A real-time strategy game for the C64 where you control up to 32 independent bunker dwellers in their strive for a less radioactive better future. To coincide with this late hour news story, we've got some further details about the game, as well as the all important gameplay video from Saberman.

Unofficial SNK vs CAPCOM for the C64/128 gets a pretty impressive update!

There's another awesome news story that's worth a mention here on Indie Retro News, as thanks to both Ethan Knight and Saberman letting us know through Facebook, we've been told that Jon Eggelton and Gianluca Alberico has released a pretty impressive update to their 2023 Commodore 64 and Commodore 128 unofficial hit of 'SNK vs CAPCOM'; a C64 game which was developed using their in development fighting engine known as RetroFighter. To coincide with this HOT news story, we've got some info about the update as well as a video showing the game in action.

Hayato's Journey - Unofficial spiritual sequel of Kenseiden, a cult-classic SEGA Master System game now for the Sega Mega Drive!

We have just been tagged via Erik Hogan creator of the Scorpion Engine, that Master Linkuei has announced the release of the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Genesis game of Hayato's Journey. As in the words of Erik "This is a fan sequel to Master System classic Kenseiden. It is also the very first full length Scorpion title to appear on the Mega Drive/Genesis. No guarantees, but there may be ports to Amiga AGA and NeoGeo in the future". To coincide with this news, we've got some new footage of the game as well as a brief game story from the developer.

The Cthulhu Project - An upcoming Dungeon Crawler for the Amiga by Captain DarkN3m0 gets new footage

Something slightly different for todays retro heads up, as if you are a huge fan of Dungeon Crawlers, especially games such as Eye of the Beholder or Lands of Lore. Then you may be interested to know that Captain DarkN3m0 is still working on a new Dungeon Crawler for the Amiga called 'The Cthulhu Project'; A horror like RPG which the creator says "is being developed using AMOS PRO as a 3D old school Dungeon Master like game". To coincide with this news, a new video has been posted which demonstrates the updated dialog system.

The Dark Knight - Shadow of Madness - Batman appears in this brand new Amstrad CPC game by Mananuk!

Mananuk is certainly no stranger to Indie Retro News, creating awesome homebrew games such as Paleto Jones 2, The Mandarin 2, Black Sea, and our personal favourite Shadow Hunter. Well thanks to a heads up by Xenomorph, we've been told that Mananuk has released the new Amstrad CPC game of 'Dark Knight'. A game in which you play as Batman, and must put a stop to a criminal gang that has kidnapped a group of scientists and spread a deadly virus throughout the city. To coincide with this news, we've got a bit more information about the game as well as a new video.

Double Ball - A Public Domain game from 1992 has been preserved by the Polish Amiga Floppy Preservation Group

If you remember those great classics such as Arkanoid or even Breakout you might be in for a treat! As we've recently been contacted by Saberman, that the Polish Amiga Floppy Preservation Group has preserved and provided the Arkanoid clone of 'Double Ball': A Public Domain game that was originally developed by Blue Data, coded by Andrzej Radecki (Mr. Gary / Blue Data), and first appeared via the public domain archive in 1992. To coincide with this news, Saberman has also provided some gameplay footage! Although do be aware the music is far from enjoyable ;)

King and Balloon - A 1:1 arcade port for the Commodore Amiga 500 gets a new beta v.094!

I thought it would be best to give another shout out for this addictive yet simplistic little game called 'King and Balloon' by RMJ & JoeJoe. A 1:1 arcade port of Namco's 1980 game for the Commodore Amiga, which was written in 68k assembler and based on the original Z80 code! To coincide with this late hour news story, Saberman has recently done a gameplay video of the current build of the game which is at version v0.94 Beta.

Basilisk of Roko 2 - An action platformer for your ZX Spectrum by retrosotano

Saberman has recently contacted us through Facebook, that retrosotano has released the sequel of 'Basilisk of Roko 2' for the ZX Spectrum. An action shooter in which playing as Nachete “El Intern” and his powerful laser, must put a stop to an evil space thing and his crazed robots. To coincide with this news, we've also got some gameplay footage showing some of the levels, enemies, and traps you'll come across in the game.

TX-1696 - A nod to Shoot 'em up classics for your ZX Spectrum Next!

Yet another Shoot 'em up to grace our home computers, is the awesome looking side scrolling Shoot 'em up of TX-1696 by Lucky Red Fish for the ZX Spectrum NEXT. A game that is a nod to classic retro games such as R-Type and Project-X, to modern inspirations such as the fabulous Super Hydorah. While the game is available to purchase at the link below, for those of you are unsure if it is that good, then check out the feedback such as "Don’t purchase this on a ‘skool night’. I purchased this on a Thursday night and could barely work on Friday" and "The game is excellent and a nice nod to the past, with hints of Xenon2: Megablast".

Mischief Castle - A very enjoyable NES platformer by kn56k, gets an update!

We've recently been informed through Facebook, that kn56k has released an update to the previously released NES game of ' Mischief Castle '; a game that was first released via the itch.io Selects Spring Bundle 2024. As for why this one might be worth playing on your NES. It features simultaneous two-player cooperative gameplay, hidden collectible items, five unique levels and Bosses, varied enemies, auto-Saving after each level, 8 music tracks, and as noted by the developer "is built to play like your classic NES game. Straightforward pick-up and play gameplay".

Coloco - A new Amstrad CPC game by Tuxedo Games featuring The Mojon Twins Mk1 Engine

It's a Friday and you know what that means? NEW GAMES for the weekend! Yes indeed thanks to a double heads up from both Saberman and Xenomorph, we've been told that the previously released ZX Spectrum game of 'Coloco' by Tuxedo Games, is now available for the Amstrad CPC! This new title developed using the Mojon Twins Mk1 Engine, is a game in which you are on a mission to rescue those that have been stranded, as their second hand rockets have crashed in the most unpleasant of places.

Knightmare - The 1980's hit TV show, is coming to the ZX Spectrum as a super new version by Sausageware Games

Great news if you remember watching the 1980s TV show Knightmare, as we've just been informed through Twitter, that the upcoming ZX Spectrum version by Sausageware Games, will be available to purchase at some point soon through BitmapSoft. A much deserved and more enjoyable Knightmare inspiration for the ZX Spectrum, which in itself is based around a TV show in which children had to not only guide a friend wearing a "Helmet of Justice" – a headpiece that blocks their field of vision. But this had to be done through a very creepy medieval environment, using their wits to overcome puzzles, obstacles and the unusual characters they meet along the journey. 

Chroma Grid - 1st place winner at the Sommarhack 2024 party for the Atari ST!

Another heads up and surprisingly it's an Atari ST news story, as thanks to a good friend contacting us earlier today, we have been told that T.O.Y.S has made available their latest puzzle game of Chroma Grid. An Atari STE game which was presented by T.O.Y.S. at the Sommarhack 2024 party, and coming 1st place in the wild demo competition! To coincide with this news, you can check out the latest footage of the game which as ever can be viewed below.

Stick Man Arok Edition - Escape from the clutches of Evil in this level extended Plus/4 game from Epy and Csabo

Are you looking for another game to play on your Commodore Plus/4 then read on. As looking through the Plus/4 World website, we've come across a game we haven't featured yet called 'Stick Man Arok Edition' by Epy with music by Csabo. A new platformer in which you must escape from the clutches of the Evil Programmer. In light of this news, Saberman has provided a gameplay video showing some of the extra levels found in the game over the original which was first released in 2022 as just Stick Man.

Chopper Duel - A DOS game from 1993 gets an Amiga 1.1 update by izero79

Great news if you're looking for something different to play this evening, as thanks to the creator announcing it via itch io and via our good friend Saberman, we've been told that izero79 has released an update for the DOS to Commodore Amiga port of Chopper Duel; A game that was originally released for DOS way back in 1993 by Addict. To coincide with this news, Saberman as per usual has done a short video showing the game in action.

Drip 2 - The Sequel - Another Commodore 64 game released by Vector5 Games!

Vector5 Gamers is certainly no stranger to Indie Retro News, creating some rather enjoyable games such as Space Station 23, Laserscape, Jump Out, and our personal favorite for the festive season Santa's Workout. Well if you were hoping for some more games from this creator, then as of today you can play the newest of releases called 'Drip 2 - The Sequel'. A maze based game that in itself is based on the Amiga game by Art Skiles for the Commodore Amiga. To coincide with this news, we've got some footage of the game viewable below.

RandomPac - A great tribute to Pac-Man, an arcade game first released by Namco in 1980

More great news this week as looking through the itch io website, we've found out that LC-Games has released the latest game of RandomPac for the Commodore 64. A game that isn't just a tribute to Pac-Man, an arcade game released by Namco in 1980. But this version of the game has procedurally generated mazes and even bonus rounds to enjoy. To coincide with this news, there's some footage of the game that can be watched below.

FreeCol - Open source colonization 1.2.0 release

A year in development since the previous build, the latest open source colonization "FreeCol" 1.2.0 is now available for download. Based on Sid Meier's Colonization (Microprose) in which the player manages the cross-Atlantic expansion of an established nation in the service of the Crown, this is an open source version which is also very similar to Civilization. Starting off with just a few colonists and looking for new lands, will you succeed for a new nation or be wiped out by the natives. 

Manic Miner - If you loved this classic from 1983 on the ZX Spectrum, then make sure to check out Deeper and Down!

We've recently been informed through Facebook that the all time classic of 'Manic Miner' by Matthew Smith, which was originally released way back in 1983, has been re-released as Manic Miner: Deeper and Down 1.1 for the ZX Spectrum. A new version of the game which doesn't just feature 20 levels from The Deeper Caverns, but also another 20 from Down, Down, Deeper and Down. To coincide with this news, we've got some new info for the game as well as a long play through by Saberman YT.