Developer Rowan Edmondson and publisher Acclaim have officially unleashed Ground Zero Hero, a chaotic roguelike horde-survival game now available on Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam.
Players jumping into the radioactive wasteland early can take advantage of launch discounts, with console versions receiving 10% off through August 27 and the Steam version discounted by 15% through September 3, 2026. The game is also available to stream through Antstream Arcade and can be purchased for Polycade’s modular home and commercial arcade cabinets.
Created over the course of three years by Rowan Edmondson, Ground Zero Hero combines a hand-drawn visual style inspired by shows such as The Simpsons and Rick & Morty with fast-paced horde-survival gameplay. Players take control of Radboy, a post-apocalyptic survivor with a serious candy obsession, as he battles enormous groups of mutated enemies across a series of bizarre wastelands.
Combat revolves around defeating mutants, collecting candy, and absorbing the irradiated remains of defeated enemies to unlock increasingly powerful mutations. Players can experiment with different abilities and upgrades to create devastating combinations capable of turning Radboy into the ultimate mutant.
Each wasteland offers its own interactive elements, while a dynamic soundtrack changes alongside the action to keep the chaos moving. Between battles, players can unlock permanent upgrades and expand their growing arsenal of mutations.
The launch is accompanied by a new trailer showcasing Radboy’s journey through the wasteland, from hunting down candy and harvesting glowing mutant guts to facing hordes of enemies that seem determined to put an end to his radioactive rampage.
Players who want to try before committing can check out the demo currently available on Steam. PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers can also experience a limited one-hour trial.
With its combination of ridiculous humor, colorful hand-drawn visuals, mutant mayhem, and candy-powered progression, Ground Zero Hero looks like it’s aiming for one thing above all else: pure, unapologetic fun.