Built as a modern take on an era-defining style, Obey the Insect God drops live-action characters into the unsettling lair of its titular deity. The result is a surreal blend of old-school visuals and eerie atmosphere that feels like a lost relic from the golden age of digitized sprite games—only darker, stranger, and far more unsettling.

A Mythic Journey Through the Lair

Players step into the role of a lone warrior in a narrative-driven 2D platformer inspired by the Kalevala, Finland’s national epic. As you fight deeper into the Insect God’s domain, answers are hard to come by—and every revelation only raises more questions. Expect challenging encounters, powerful boss fights, and a steady drip of mystery as the story unfolds through voice acting, live-action elements, and environmental storytelling.

Classic Combat With a Brutal Edge

Combat is fast, deliberate, and demanding. A wide variety of enemies and bosses force players to unlock new powers and abilities in order to survive. Mastering timing, blocking, and combo execution is key, rewarding skillful play with devastating beatdowns that feel ripped straight from classic arcade brawlers.

Explore the Lair on Your Own Terms

The lair itself is massive, featuring over two dozen unique zones filled with interconnected rooms. With most traversal abilities available from the start, exploration is largely non-linear, letting players platform, fight, and experiment with different routes as they see fit.

Key Features

• Digitized Sprites With Live-Action Roots – Characters are created from live-action video and photography, collaged and animated to recreate the unmistakable look of ’90s arcade games.

• Retro-Inspired 2D Narrative – A story rooted in Finnish mythology, brought to life with full voice acting and live performers.

• Deep Combat and Combos – Unlock abilities, master defensive timing, and unleash brutal combo chains against a wide range of enemies and bosses.

• Non-Linear Exploration – More than two dozen zones and flexible traversal systems encourage exploration on your own terms.

The lair of the Insect God is not a place for the faint of heart. Obey the Insect God is coming to PC later this year—wishlist it now on Steam and stay tuned for more updates as the mysteries of the lair begin to unfold.

Four Stories, One Epic

At its core, Quartet weaves together four very different storylines into one sprawling adventure. You’ll follow a band of unlikely heroes, from uncovering government conspiracies to chasing visions of other worlds, surviving devastating airship raids, and discovering dangerous magical powers. Each tale kicks off independently, but gradually intertwines into an 11-chapter saga filled with war, intrigue, and plenty of character-driven drama.

Build Your Party, Master the Fight

Unlike many old-school RPGs, Quartet gives you an eight-character roster to mix and match, with four active members and four waiting in the wings. Those resting in the backline regenerate their spell points, making strategic swaps key to surviving tougher battles. With over 50 combat skills and hundreds of gear combinations, there’s a ton of room to customize your approach.

A Retro Adventure with Modern Touches

Clocking in at around 20 hours for the main story (plus another five for character-driven side quests), Quartet promises a classic RPG journey without overstaying its welcome. Expect lush pixel art, high-stakes boss fights across 24 dungeons, airship travel, and even optional endgame quests for each character.

Key Features

• Gorgeous retro-inspired pixel art

• Four opening storylines, playable in any order

• Eight main party members plus 12 guest characters

• 50+ combat abilities and 100s of gear options

• 24 dungeons and dozens of bosses

• Endgame quests for every character

Whether you grew up with the classics or just want a fresh RPG with an old-school heart, Quartet looks like a trip worth taking.

After months of community testing and feature tuning, the launch version of Star Racer brings a turbo-charged dose of new content. Racers can dive into four full Grand Prix Cups, each packed with high-speed twists, cosmic hazards, and rival racers just waiting to be turned into stardust. With each track demanding a different strategy, picking the right vehicle and driver combo could be the difference between taking the crown—or crashing out in a blaze of pixelated glory.

Beyond the Finish Line

Star Racer 1.0 isn’t just about new tracks. The game’s Event Races inject even more chaos, throwing in rotating rule sets, environmental hazards, and out-of-nowhere objectives. Whether you’re dodging lava flows, breaking targets mid-race, or teeing off in a surreal game of intergalactic golf, these events keep every race unpredictable—and brutally fun.

If you’ve conquered every cup and event, the Track Editor offers unlimited replayability. Design your own wild circuits, drop in death-defying jumps or perfectly timed boost pads, and challenge friends to survive your creative madness. With Steam Workshop integration, players can now upload, browse, and download custom tracks from across the community.

Key Features Breakdown:

• High-Speed Combat Racing: Drift, boost, and blast your way through stunning tracks with arcade-inspired handling and weapons that turn every race into a dogfight on wheels.

• Ground and Aerial Racing: Tackle courses that take you from hard pavement to open skies, with gravity-defying glides and vertical firefights that shake up every lap.

• Dynamic Track Editor: Build and share custom tracks with friends and players worldwide, all powered by an intuitive editor and community support.

• Event Race Madness: Over 50 rotating challenges that turn the rules on their head. Lava tracks, trick trials, and more await those brave enough to adapt on the fly.

• Local Multiplayer Mayhem: Grab up to three friends for couch co-op chaos. With split-screen support for four players, every race becomes a battle for bragging rights.

• Soundtrack by Gaming Royalty: Star Racer features music from industry favorites Mason Lieberman and Jules Conroy, plus original tracks from legendary composer Grant Kirkhope, known for his work on Banjo-Kazooie, GoldenEye 007, and Mario + Rabbids.

Star Racer 1.0 is available now on Steam for $9.99 USD, with an additional 20% launch discount for a limited time. Whether you’re here for the track-building creativity, pulse-pounding multiplayer, or pure retro style, it’s time to hit the gas and leave your rivals in the dust.

Developed in collaboration with Activision and Blizzard, Retro Classics brings a nostalgic punch with games like Pitfall!, Kaboom!, Commando, and Mech Warrior 2. These timeless titles are now playable across a wide range of platforms—including Xbox consoles, the Xbox PC app, and even streaming through LG and Samsung Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV, and Meta Quest headsets.

Antstream Arcade isn’t just bringing old-school games to new hardware—it’s enhancing them. Retro Classics includes modern features such as cloud saves, global leaderboards, challenge modes, and multiplayer tournaments, making it easier than ever for players to compete, connect, and relive the classics with a new twist.

“We’re thrilled to bring decades of iconic gaming to modern audiences and proud that Xbox trusted Antstream’s proprietary platform to make this possible,” said Steve Cottam, CEO of Antstream.

Xbox Game Pass members also have the option to unlock the full Antstream library of over 1,300 retro games with a special limited-time offer: just $9.99 / £9.99 for the first year of access on console.

Whether you’re revisiting childhood favorites or exploring gaming history for the first time, Retro Classics on Xbox is the ultimate trip down memory lane—no dusty cartridges required.

Breaking Bricks Like Never Before
This isn’t just another Breakout remake—it’s a full-on evolution of the arcade classic. Instead of clearing bricks from the top of the screen, players now progress sideways, blasting through barriers and chaining combos for explosive effects. Special power-ups add even more chaos, letting players unleash screen-shaking blasts, activate protective barriers, or fire a laser cannon to carve a path forward.

With 72 meticulously designed levels, Breakout Beyond cranks up the challenge while delivering stunning procedural audio and visual effects that intensify with each successful combo. And for those who want to push their skills even further, an unlockable Endless Mode with global leaderboards will keep the brick-smashing action going indefinitely.

Co-Op Mayhem and Focused Strategy
Players can take on the challenge solo or team up in local two-player co-op to double the destruction. But if the action gets too intense, a Focus Mode lets players slow down time, sacrificing high scores for precise control.

A Long Road to the Finish Line
Originally planned as an Amico Intellivision exclusive back in 2020, Breakout Beyond found a new home when Atari stepped in to acquire and complete the game. “We’re thrilled to be able to bring this gem to our players,” said Ethan Stearns, Atari’s Senior Director of Games Publishing. “The team has done an incredible job preserving the heart of Breakout while giving the formula a completely new spin.”

Get Ready to Break Through
Breakout Beyond launches later this year on PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One & Series X|S, and Atari VCS.

]]> 32122 https://www.yogomi.com/2024/09/the-karate-kid-street-rumble/ Fri, 20 Sep 2024 20:25:07 +0000 https://www.yogomi.com/?p=31109 Step back into the ‘80s and relive the original The Karate Kid trilogy in The Karate Kid: Street Rumble, available today on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. This action-packed beat ’em up brings the iconic world of Miyagi-Do Karate to life with retro-styled pixel art, offering solo play or local co-op for up to four players!

Street Fights Meet Retro Vibes
The Karate Kid: Street Rumble takes players beyond the dojo and into the streets of the San Fernando Valley and Okinawa, featuring key locations from the first three *Karate Kid* films. Fight your way through fast-paced, side-scrolling levels filled with challenging enemies, colorful pixel visuals, and an ‘80s-inspired chiptune soundtrack that will bring back those classic arcade vibes.

Fight as Your Favorite Characters
Play as Daniel LaRusso, Mr. Miyagi, Ali Mills, and Kumiko as you face off against legendary rivals like Johnny Lawrence, John Kreese, Terry Silver, and more. Master intense martial arts combat in a game inspired by classic arcade beat ’em ups, where combos, signature moves, and relentless enemies keep the action non-stop.

Key Features of The Karate Kid: Street Rumble:

• Relive the Iconic Trilogy: Experience the world of *The Karate Kid* like never before, with 12 intense levels set in memorable locations such as Topanga Beach, West Valley High, Cobra Kai Dojo, and the All Valley Tournament.
• Retro Arcade Action: Enjoy the thrill of a stunning pixel-art world that channels the spirit of 16-bit gaming, enhanced by a chiptune soundtrack that captures the energy of the *Karate Kid* universe.
• Master Martial Arts: Pull off powerful combos, signature karate moves, and counter enemy attacks in dynamic, fast-paced combat. Each level brings fresh challenges and villains straight from the films.
• Face Legendary Villains: Battle the likes of Johnny Lawrence, John Kreese, Terry Silver, and other formidable foes in epic showdowns that will test your martial arts skills.

Karate Co-op Fun: Team up with friends in local co-op mode for up to four players, choosing from Daniel, Mr. Miyagi, Kumiko, and Ali Mills to fight alongside each other and take down the enemies of Miyagi-Do Karate.

The Karate Kid: Street Rumble is available now for $39.99 on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation®5, PlayStation®4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam. Developed by Odaclick and published by GameMill Entertainment, the game is officially licensed by Sony Pictures Consumer Products.

Get ready to fight, relive the classics, and show no mercy!

Earth Is in Danger… Again!
The plot? Aliens have had enough of humanity’s destruction of Earth, and they’re back to clean up the mess—by turning humans into a “delicious juicy Human Smoothie!” Drawing inspiration from the Amiga classic *Walker* and the iconic *Defender*, this chaotic invasion will have you piloting giant alien robots with one simple mission: save the planet by eradicating humanity.

Alien Mayhem Unleashed
In They Came from the Sky 2, you take on the role of a massive alien robot armed to the teeth with over-the-top weapons and special abilities. Whether it’s launching homing missiles, creating black holes, or modifying human DNA in bizarre ways, you’ll have a blast wreaking havoc on Earth. Your targets? Everyone from Grandpa to Skateboard Kid, and yes, even a disabled person in a wheelchair—no one is safe from your mission to “Shoot, Trample, or Abduct them all!”

Explosive Gameplay Awaits
The game doesn’t shy away from action. Expect non-stop explosions, chaos, and destruction as you power up your alien invader. Unlock weapons and abilities in the Tech-Lab to dominate more than 20 enemy types. Each area, like Chinatown or an amusement park, comes with its own unique boss fight, pushing you to the limit before unlocking even more mayhem.

Key Features of They Came from the Sky 2:

• Replayability: Chase those high scores as you obliterate wave after wave of enemies.
• Quick Sessions: Perfect for both short and long play sessions—jump in for some quick chaos or settle in for a full alien invasion.
• Pop Culture Easter Eggs: Spot hidden references to classic movies and iconic artifacts throughout the game.
• Unlockable Weapons: From missiles to DNA modifiers, you’ll unlock tons of fun tools to help you save the Earth from its inhabitants.
• Dynamic Settings: The game’s environments are constantly shifting, keeping things fresh with each playthrough.
• Full Xbox Controller Support: Seamless gameplay with controller support, letting you fully immerse yourself in the destruction.
• Soundtrack by Kevin MacLeod: Rock out to an epic soundtrack while you lay waste to Earth’s population.

It’s Time to Save the Earth… from Humanity!

Prepare for non-stop arcade action, retro charm, and a dash of dark humor when They Came from the Sky 2 hits consoles on September 20th. Are you ready to step into the shoes (or rather, the giant metallic feet) of an alien robot and deliver Earth from its greatest threat—mankind?

The Atari 7800+ is a compact and stylish update of the original, designed to fit seamlessly into contemporary living spaces. It comes equipped with HDMI connectivity, making it easy to connect to modern TVs and devices. The console includes the CX78+ Wireless Gamepad and a brand-new game, Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest—a sequel to the classic Crystal Castles, presented on a specially designed 7800 cartridge.

Key Features of the Atari 7800+:

• Supports both Atari 2600 and 7800 game cartridges
• High compatibility with original and third-party Atari games
• Includes the new Wireless CX78+ Gamepad
• Widescreen or 4:3 display options
• USB-C charging cable (power adapter not included)

“Building on the success of last year’s Atari 2600+, the launch of the Atari 7800+ expands the Atari+ platform with new games, wireless controllers, and a refreshed console experience,” said Wade Rosen, Chairman and CEO of Atari.

New Controllers for the Atari+ Platform

Alongside the 7800+, Atari and PLAION are introducing two new wireless controllers:

CX78+ Wireless Gamepad: Priced at $34.99 (€34.99 / £29.99), this gamepad is a modern recreation of the original two-button controller from the 7800’s European release. It features a directional D-Pad, a removable thumbstick, and wireless connectivity to both the new 7800+ and 2600+ consoles, as well as compatibility with original 2600 and 7800 hardware via the included DB9 wireless adapter. It can also connect to a PC using the provided USB-C adapter.’

CX40+ Wireless Joystick: Also priced at $34.99 (€34.99 / £29.99), the CX40+ brings back the classic one-button joystick, now with wireless functionality. It connects to the 7800+, 2600+, and original Atari hardware using a DB9 adapter and is PC-compatible with the included USB-C adapter.

New Games for the Atari 7800+ and 2600+
To complement the new hardware, Atari is releasing ten new game cartridges, including official ports of popular homebrew titles and three multi-game 2600+ cartridges. Each game comes with a color-printed user manual and is available at mass retail for $29.99 (€29.99 / £24.99).

New 7800+ Cartridges:

• Asteroids Deluxe: An enhanced version of the classic with new mechanics and competitive two-player modes.
• Bounty Bob Strikes Back: A sequel to Miner 2049er, featuring 10 additional caves.
• Bentley Bear’s Crystal Quest: A homebrew sequel to Crystal Castles with classic platforming action.
• Berzerk: A new version of the arcade classic, complete with Evil Otto’s terrifying grin.
• Frenzy: The Atari 7800+ port of the arcade sequel to Berzerk, complete with the iconic Phase Pistol.
• Space Duel: The first-ever 7800 port of the 1982 vector-based arcade game, featuring a unique two-player mode.

New 2600+ Cartridges:

• Caverns of Mars: A new cartridge adaptation of the Atari 8-bit classic, featuring new challenges and a save feature.
• Epyx Game Collection: Combines Summer Games, Winter Games, and California Games onto one cartridge, supporting up to eight players.
• M Network Collection: Packs Armor Ambush™, Astroblast™, Frogs and Flies™, and Star Strike™ onto a single 2600+ cartridge.
• RealSports Collection: Features RealSports Baseball, Football, Volleyball, Soccer, Tennis, and Boxing on one cartridge, including the never-before-released RealSports Basketball.

For more details on the Atari 7800+ and the upcoming games, visit the official Atari website.

To keep up with everything Atari and retro-pop culture, follow Atari on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube, and join the community on Discord.

Gameplay Overview:
As the formidable warrior Volgarr, your every action must be precise in battle. One false move can send you straight to Valhalla. Jump, duck, slide, and dodge to avoid deadly enemies while navigating through hazardous environments.

While retaining the unforgiving difficulty of the original, Volgarr the Viking II introduces some modern features to aid even the most seasoned warriors. Practice mode, checkpoints, save profiles, and unlimited continues are available—but using these comforts comes at a cost. Only those who persevere without them will unlock the full potential of the game.

Key Features:

• New Power-Ups and Magic Items: Equip yourself with powerful enhancements to stave off death.
• Ruthless Bosses: Face a roster of massive, grotesque bosses, perfect for decapitating.
• Epic Orchestral Soundtrack: Let the music propel you through intense battles.
• Speedrunning Tools: Utilize an on-screen timer and no-HUD mode for optimal speedruns.
• Multiple Endings: Six distinct endings based on player performance, with the most skilled unlocking a hidden level and a secret final boss.
• Modern Upgrades: Enjoy practice mode, multiple profile saves, and unlimited continues.
• Grisly Combat: Expect buckets of blood, bone explosions, and iconic loincloths.

Embark on a Punishing Quest:
Volgarr the Viking II promises a satisfyingly punishing quest, continuing the legacy of the original game. With its challenging gameplay, new features, and epic battles, this sequel is set to thrill both new players and long-time fans of the franchise.

Release Information:
Volgarr the Viking II launches on **August 6, 2024**. Get ready to jump back into the action and prove your warrior skills once more.

Prepare for an adventure over a decade in the making. Will you conquer the challenges ahead, or will you fall to the perils of the Norse-inspired world? The choice is yours in Volgarr the Viking II.