Quirky Amiga shoot ‘em-up Apidya revived, re-release imminent

It has been an interesting week of retro gaming, punctuated by a lot of Amiga-related updates and a (rare) exclusive concerning AI-generated music (see below).

This week’s retro gaming round up is another “doozy” (as they say in the US), and I am keen to get on with it. So, news on Apidya, a summary of the AI-generated musician clones, and then the full news summary, broken up into games, hardware, and retro publications.

The release of Apidya’ Special is imminent, a ground-up remake of Kaiko’s classic 1992 Amiga shoot-’em-up, which is coming to PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch on August 25th, 2026, in) digital-only format, with physical Switch and PS5 boxes also available to order.

The original Apidya was release on the Amiga by Blue Byte, then in 1994 by Team17 as a budget title, which I suspect negatively impacted the game’s reputation.

Ditching emulation for a full overhaul, this modernized release features two visual modes. You can play in a modern, upgraded HD widescreen mode, or with the original home computer 4:3 view. The remake includes an expanded campaign across five themed worlds, newly added local co-op play, the obligatory CRT scanline filters, previously unreleased graphic assets from a canceled console port, and a remastered version of legendary composer Chris Hülsbeck’s soundtrack.

I’m hoping to have a review of Apidya for you soon.

Last Monday I chatted with Red Dead Redemption composer Bill Elm, and learned that his streaming profiles have been hijacked by someone issuing what seems to be AI music under his name over the past few months.

Since then, I’ve learned (via TimeExtension) that Elm is not the only one. Kumi Tanioka, who composed music in the Final Fantasy series, has posted on social media that music recently released in her name is not hers.

“Hey, for some reason, on various streaming services, an album that I didn’t create is being distributed under the name “kumi tanioka.”

Is this... AI??? Someone with the same name???

Anyway, this album is definitely not something I made.

Please enjoy it as someone else’s album...”

The assertion has been backed up by the musician’s label.

In short, if you’re listening to your favourite video game composer’s music, be sure their latest releases are genuine.

Let’s move on to this week’s retro gaming news roundup, split into games, hardware, and print.

Tony Warriner (Broken Sword) and Stoo Cambridge (Cannon Fodder) have relaunched their Kickstarter campaign for UrbX Warriors: The Lost City (16-Bit Edition) after a brief cancellation, and have already passed the target amount. Releases on Amiga AGA and Mega Drive/Genesis with physical cartridge editions are planned for the two-player co-op arcade-adventure that blends puzzles, exploration, and temple combat.

Strictly Limited Games and Atari have opened pre-orders for physical 16-bit cartridge releases of Mr. Nutz and Mr. Nutz: Hoppin’ Mad. Priced at €49.99 each and shipping in Q1 2027, Mr. Nutz arrives on SNES, Genesis, and Mega Drive, while Amiga sequel Hoppin’ Mad gets its long-lost Mega Drive debut.

System 3 has announced James Pond Legacy: The Pond is Not Enough, launching October 2026 for Nintendo Switch 2 with a 6,000-copy physical release. The compilation packs 12 versions across four games—spanning C64, Amiga, Genesis, and SNES—alongside an interactive “Pondverse” museum hub, quality-of-life enhancements, and an original title track. However, fan backlash has erupted over speculation that generative AI was used for marketing materials and hub artwork, charges System 3 firmly denies.

Marketing agency Pixel Helix has unveiled final details for its inaugural digital showcase, Pixel Arcadia - The Future of Retro, broadcasting on August 24, 2026, at 19:00 BST. Hosted by HaZ Dulull and Dan Maher, the 90-minute presentation features over 30 publishers, world premieres, first-look gameplay, and a surprise shadow-drop release.

MicroProse and developer Funtime Electrics have announced single-player turn-based tactical space sim Deck & Conn, will launch September 1, 2026. Drawing inspiration from early 1990s MicroProse titles and 1971’s Super Star Trek mainframe game, the Cold War-style retro pixel art game tasks players with commanding a nuclear corvette in space.

MicroProse and Wield Interactive have launched The Fertile Crescent 2: Collapse of the Bronze Age in Steam Early Access. Set during the Late Bronze Age Collapse, the story-driven RTS features a 10-mission campaign, four ancient factions, and four-player skirmish modes, emphasizing survival and food-based resource management.

Arc System Works and Taito have launched Bubble Bobble Sugar Dungeons Boosted, a major free 40th-anniversary update on Switch, PS5, and Steam. The patch adds a maze-like Castle stage, bonus room gates, new power-ups, and a port of 1997’s Bubble Symphony. Digital editions are currently discounted by 25%.

Lost Token and Dionous Games have launched Theropods (above), a wordless point-and-click adventure now available on Steam and GOG. Ten years in development, the hand-animated pixel art game combines prehistoric survival with a sci-fi twist, telling its story of an unlikely friendship entirely through animation, sound, and visual logic without dialogue.

Nintendo has added the 21-track score from the 1991 Super Nintendo version of SimCity to the Nintendo Music smart app. Composed by Soyo Oka, the soundtrack marks a rare official appearance for the SNES release, which remains unavailable on current Nintendo Switch Online retro libraries. (Nintendo Life)

Two-person Nova Scotia studio Ballast Games has announced Cloudbreaker, an inventory management bullet heaven launching September 15th on Steam. Challenging players to descend through a sky-world to fight hordes of Biotes, the strategic roguelite requires arranging Engine Parts across your airship grid to unlock synergies, customize layouts, and survive boss encounters.

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MicroProse and developer Hilkojj Interactive have announced that retro-styled satirical strategy sim Car Park Capital launches into Early Access on October 9th. Evoking classic 1990s isometric tycoon games, players buy land, bulldoze neighborhoods, and use propaganda to force townsfolk into car dependency across complex oil and production chains.

Developer lauris-nl has made 1993’s Doom playable on Canon DSLR cameras (above) running Magic Lantern open-source firmware. Tested on the Canon EOS 550D, the port runs at 720×480 on the camera’s display, mapping movement to the D-pad and firing to the central Set button. Grab it on GitHub.

Developer Milasoft has released a feature-complete arcade tribute port of Namco’s Galaga for the Commodore VIC-20. Target-built for a 32K expanded system, the unexpanded-friendly conversion includes full wave formations, Boss Galaga tractor-beam captures, dual-fighter rescue mechanics, challenging stages, and end-of-game firing accuracy statistics. (IndieRetroNews)

Boutique publisher 33 Games has announced a physical SNES re-release of Vivid Image’s 1991 action-platformer First Samurai, scheduled for early 2027. Following recent cartridge launches for Zool and Utopia, the team promises special physical packaging treatments alongside an unannounced major classic license currently in development. (TimeExtension)

Developer SonicR has successfully created an unofficial port of Sega Saturn classic Panzer Dragoon for the Sega Dreamcast. Playable on original console hardware using optical disc emulators or burnt CD-Rs, the engine conversion plays smoothly (see above). Check the FrogBull Patreon.

GOG has expanded its Preservation Program with the addition of Ubisoft’s 2003 classic Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. The release includes built-in compatibility fixes to ensure seamless execution on modern Windows and Linux PCs via Wine/Proton, preserving controller support and widescreen display setups without requiring manual community mods. (GamingOnLinux)

Digital games platform Digiphile has partnered with content creator Zade to launch the RTS Renaissance collection. Available through September 2nd for $22, the 7-game Steam bundle includes titles like Stronghold Crusader: Definitive Edition and Dungeons 4, with 5% of proceeds supporting tree planting efforts via the Arbor Day Foundation.

Bandai Namco’s 1995 arcade motorcycle racer Cyber Cycles is getting its first home conversion as part of Hamster Corporation’s Arcade Archives series. Originally running on System 22 hardware, the early polygonal racer skipped home consoles during the 32-bit era, making this modern re-release its home debut.

The Console Archives, meanwhile, has added Rhapsody II: Ballad of the Little Princess. This 1999 PlayStation title from Nippon Ichi Software is the second installment in the Rhapsody series, and is out now on Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5. The title was previously reissued on PC via Steam in 2023.

Publisher Incube8 Games and developer Rebusmind have announced PachiPals (above) a new monster-catching RPG for the Game Boy Color available for pre-order on physical cartridge and digital ROM. Blending traditional exploration with pinball capture mechanics and pachinko trainer duels, players collect up to 100 creatures across the island region of Astria.

Homebrew project AGI-64 brings classic Sierra On-Line adventure games to the Commodore 64. The custom engine interpreter compiles original AGI game data into 1MB EasyFlash cartridge ROMs, allowing titles like Space Quest to run natively on 1MHz C64 hardware complete with disk save support.

Developer Dave Izon has resumed work on Ghostbusters Revisited, a Commodore 64 fan project originally previewed in 2021. Featuring music by Roland Hermans, the updated build includes Ecto-1 driving, floor exploration, proton-stream busting, and rooftop encounters, though development remains ongoing with more ghosts and room designs planned. As someone who played the original and wished it was something closer to the movie, this is something I’m keeping an eye on!

A team of fan developers has completely decompiled GoldenEye 007 for the Nintendo 64. After five years of reverse-engineering, achieving 100% matching C code allows programmers to create native PC ports, widescreen high-framerate enhancements, mouse control mods, and custom level extensions without relying on emulation.

Indie developer Retro-Bit has previewed Panic 64 (above), a new 3D platformer for PC inspired by N64 classics. The game mixes momentum-based Sonic-like speed tracks with the type of break-neck obstacle runs that you might find in Crash Bandicoot. (TimeExtension)

UK manufacturer iMP Gaming has announced the Mini Arcade Elite, an arcade cabinet shell compatible with original, OLED, and Switch 2 models. Available from October, it will be priced at £49.99, it connects via USB-C and features micro-switched arcade controls, toggleable stick modes, turbo functions, and rear storage for 12 game cards.

A new hardware DIY project details turning a broken PlayStation Portable into a Raspberry Pi-powered retro emulation handheld. Modding a Pi Compute Module into the original PSP chassis, the project reuses OEM buttons, screen housing, and power rails. The end product looks indistinguishable from a PSP, and can emulate 16-bit and 32-bit games platforms.

The Vectrex Mini team has announced a world tour ahead of the console’s late 2026 launch. Playable units will appear at Gamescom 2026 (Hall 10.2), Portland Retro Gaming Expo with special guest Jay Smith, and an intimate London launch event on Denmark Street on November 21st.

A crowdfunding campaign for a 9-in-1 USB-C docking station featuring an integrated Blu-ray drive has achieved 160 times its funding goal on Kickstarter. Tapping into growing physical media nostalgia, the aluminum hub combines an optical disc burner with modern display outputs, fast power delivery, and high-speed data ports.

Analogue has announced the Analogue Pocket Supreme Red & Gold Collection for its Fall/Winter line-up. Featuring finishes inspired by classic Japanese Famicoms, the limited-edition FPGA handheld retains full physical cartridge compatibility with Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance.

Playmaji has detailed hardware revisions for the upcoming upgraded Polymega modular console. It adds internal CPU upgrades for smoother emulation performance plus a refreshed base unit with a redesigned motorized disc tray mechanism.

The free, ad-free English edition of RetroMagazine World Issue 54 is available to download. Spanning over 120 pages, this summer release covers the history of the Sinclair ZX81, an interview with Italian tech journalist Andrea de Prisco, 1980s computer encyclopedias, and over 30 new homebrew reviews across classic 8-bit and 16-bit systems.

Debug #16 is also out, featuring dynamic rhythm-action shooter Dead as Disco on the cover. The new edition delivers the usual blend of indie game previews, reviews, and developer interviews.

Industry legend Warren Spector (System Shock, Deus Ex) has announced his retirement from full-time game design. Spector cited a desire to focus on academic writing, game preservation projects, and personal research moving forward. (Aftermath)

I’ll be back next week with another roundup, and look out for new articles and features throughout the week on Gaming Retro.