This gorgeous new Sega Genesis game is out of control on Kickstarter: fully funded in 19 minutes, and already approaching 5x its goal at $71,000
Jul. 1, 2024ZPF is the latest project from retro developer Mega Cat Studios
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In yet another staggering show of enthusiasm from the retro gaming crowd, a newSegaGenesis (Mega Drive for non-US readers) was just announcedon Kickstarterand is enjoying an absolute funding blitz.
ZPF is the latest project from famed retro dev (in this case publisher) Mega Cat Studios, known for its lengthy catalogue of modern games released on retro consoles. Described by the company as “a good old-fashioned horizontal shooter,” also “known in the community as a horizontal shmup (or STG),” ZPF seems to take influence from classic shooters like Thunder Force, Eliminate Down, and Steel Empire.
Although the Kickstarter was just announced, it’s safe to say there’s a pretty hearty appetite for new Sega Genesis games with gorgeous pixel art from time-tested retro developers, as ZPF reached its initial $15,000 Kickstarter funding goal in just 19 minutes, reached 300% funding in under 24 hours, and at the time of writing has five times that target amount in backer money.Stretch goals aside, the final version of the game at launch will include “at least” six stages “of full-on mayhem,” three playable characters with their own unique ranged and melee abilities, “many mid and end stage bosses,” a shop with buffs and hints, as well as “secrets, hidden stages, and multiple endings.”
The story seems to involve three heroes with very little regard for gravity and ammo capacity fighting against all manner of bullet spongey aliens, but let’s be real, we don’t play these types of games for their nuanced stories or thoughtful commentaries. We just want to blow stuff up, and ZPF definitely seems to fit the bill.
Backers on Kickstarter can bag themselves a variety ofrewardsbased on how much they pledge, from a simple “thank you” from the developers to limited edition cartridges, an artbook, the soundtrack on vinyl, a poster, stickers, and more.
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After scoring a degree in English from ASU, I worked as a copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. Now, as GamesRadar’s west coast Staff Writer, I’m responsible for managing the site’s western regional executive branch, AKA my apartment, and writing about whatever horror game I’m too afraid to finish.
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