It was only last month that we brought you the news that Acclaim was back, and a new showcase gives us a glimpse of the new games heading our way. We were excited to hear that the publisher was back at the table, and it created a real buzz at the Retro News offices. Our memories of Mortal Kombat, Turok, and NBA Jam still hold firm, and we think it’s brilliant to have Acclaim releasing games again. While the showcase showed a mix of modern titles and retro, just seeing that iconic logo bubbled up our nostalgia.
In a press statement, Acclaim said. “Originally founded in 1987, Acclaim established itself over the years as a leading worldwide developer, publisher, and mass marketer, bringing beloved franchises to home consoles. Today, Acclaim carries forward the ideology on which it was founded with its unrelenting support of talented indie developers and its delivery of high-quality, premium indie games to a global audience of discerning gamers. Acclaim’s return is a testament to the strength and enduring appeal of its iconic brand.”
“We’re ecstatic to relaunch Acclaim with a lineup that captures our legacy of bold creativity and delivers fresh, unforgettable experiences,” said Alex Josef, CEO of Acclaim. “These games are just the beginning of our mission to redefine fun for players everywhere.” We’re so happy for this news, and take a look at the games revealed in the showcase that will be of interest to retro gamers below.
Basketball Classics is a new arcade basketball title that looks as though it could’ve been released on the Atari 7200. 5-on-5 Pro Basketball was born from the golden era of sports games. This spiritual successor to the 8-bit ballers bridges the gap between retro and today’s simulation games.
Side-scrolling, arcade action is paired with on-the-fly strategy. 3-button gameplay is easy to pick up, but it’s the dynamic play-calling that elevates this title beyond just long bombs and acrobatics. It has been developed by Namo Gamo and is out now on Steam. Basketball Classics will also be shooting for Switch in the future.
Pixel Washer is a new pixel art cozy shooter where players take on the role of a pig assigned to wash everything and anything. Step into the hooves of Pigxel, a plucky pig armed with a powerful power washer, tasked with cleaning up a messy town. Wielding his trusty washer, he’ll spray his way through a variety of exciting challenges. There is no release date as of yet, but Pixel Washer has been developed by Valadria and will be spraying on Steam and consoles.
The Prisoning: Fletcher’s Quest is an action platformer that has beautiful pixel art and fast-paced gameplay. We’ve previously reported on this one, and we’re glad it is now under the new Acclaim publishing arm. The Prisoning: Fletcher’s Quest is being developed by Elden Pixels and will be released on Steam and consoles.
Enter the mind of Fletcher Howie Jr, a game developer on the brink of physical and emotional burnout during the final stages of an intense project. After a visit to the psychologist that goes horribly wrong, you must escape your perilous mental prison in a Metroidvania drenched in anxiety based on a very true story.
HYPERyuki: Snowboard Syndicate is a new retro-inspired futuristic snowboarding sim that appears to be heavily influenced by the SSX series. It’s being developed by Wabisabi Design, Inc., and as with the other titles featured in the Acclaim showcase, will be on Steam and consoles, hitting the slopes at a later date.
Race, compete, and explore the slopes as a colorful cast of unique characters! But what’s snowboarding without a little bit of drip? Through exploring and racing, players can unlock cosmetics such as designs for their snowboard and clothes to make sure they shine the brightest while shredding.
