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Mega Cat Studios Weekly Dose of Gaming News: Immortal Ka, Boxx Remake, & Last Action Hero

Posted by Write Meow · 12月 06, 2022

As we enter December, we crank up the action as we wait for some nice seal-tight suggestions in the following weeks. There's no better way to kick off 2022’s last month than some ass-kicking. This time we're looking at a side scroller, a platformer, and a straight-up brawler. Perfect when it comes to satisfying every retro action connoisseur. We hope you came prepared because things are about to get wild!

Immortal Ka

We rarely get games that are both indie and completely new. Immortal Ka by Josyan checks both boxes. It's clearly an homage to Awesome 16-bit arcade Classics like Ghost and Goblins and even Super Big Karnak. So far, the game is just a prototype, but whatever's been finished is very much playable. The game follows your classic story from the olden times.

The Gods have condemned all humans, so ancient Egypt finds itself corrupted. Now, thousands of evil creatures from the world of the Dead have come to tremendous. Maibe is a lonely hunter from the outskirts of Luxor who somehow gained some supernatural powers. She's the only one with a pure enough soul to save us. So it's up to you to make sure that she does.

The game features, Egyptian-themed levels, nice aesthetics, and a complete arsenal of weapons to help you defeat all the mythological creatures that come your way. If you're into the myth boss love a bit of retro action and wanna save the world, then Immortal Ka is worth checking out.

Boxx Remake

Amiga owners and enjoyers can rejoice once more as we get another cool Home Brew installment. Back then, Lemming880 platformers Boxx 2 and Boxx 3 were released on the Amiga system. Both of these games were a ton of fun, as they required players to collect as many coins as possible, all while avoiding deadly traps, killing bad bosses, and aiming to reach the exit to complete each level.

It was intense, for sure. Well, that's not exactly the news here. The spicy update comes in the form of Lemming880, releasing a full remake of the very first Boxx game. The Scorpion engine makes its ground return, giving the game updated graphics sound effects, And brand new coding based on the ongoing Boxx 4 project currently in development.

It's nice to see all this come together and even nicer to know the Boxx remake is now available for download.

Last Action Hero

The Amiga Live just released a hack of 1994 Amiga's Last Action Hero. So yes. Keep the Arnold Schwarzenegger memes coming. Earok dropped the surprisingly cool news saying “Amiga live did a hack of the Last Action Hero a while ago and I got permission to repost it here. It features a raft of gameplay balance tweaks to improve on the Notorious Film Tie-in”

The particular hack is nice as it gives players who just discovered the game a smoother experience. We're talking about unlimited continues, more lives, a hundred percent health restoration, increased loop speed, and more

While the movie wasn't the best one out there and the game back then didn't get much recognition, this little tweak in 2022 might just give it the cult following It deserves. Now, all we need is some really good voice acting.

Check the video here:

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WEEKLY DOSE OF GAMING NEWS: Missile Command, Eye of the Beholder, Legend of Zelda

Posted by Write Meow · 11月 29, 2022

The 80s was a different, simpler time. While it wasn’t that much quieter, the games weren’t as loud and bombastic as the ones we have nowadays. Still—there was beauty in its simplicity, and that’s what made ‘em more badass. You’ll see what I’m talking about.

From ports to unreleased prototypes, modern technology gives us a sneak peek at how things were back in the good ol’ days. Since we’re all about retro here, it’s about time you buckled up, coz we’re taking a ride back in time to take a look at a few classics.

First up, we got the classic Atari game Missile Command which now—finally has a decent port. Ayor61 and the team just released an improved version of the game for the Amstrad CPC+ and GX4000—and it looks pretty good.

To quote Ayor61 "For 50th years birthday of Atari, and as a tribute to one of my first childhood games on Atari 2600.” Well said, and well done. It’s about time one of the all-time Atari classics got some modern TLC, and it’s great that both old fans and newcomers can get a taste of some Missile Command action.

If missiles, city defense, and a lot of action are right up your alley, then it’s best to keep an eye out for this awesome port.

If you’ve played or even heard of Eye of The Beholder, then you know what a good game is all about. Andreas Larsson has been hard at work on a port for the C64 and C128—and if you’ve fallen in love with the game on PC, we’re sure you’re one of the many who are waiting for an update.

Well, you need not wait any longer, because the port is FINALLY HERE. A very well-timed surprise along with some nice video footage to show us just how great it turned out.

It’s the nice, classic first-person experience but with more colors, higher resolution 16-bit graphics, and updated versions of all the monsters you’ve come across way back. Everything from the combat animations, down to the damage indicators has been implemented smoothly. Very nice.

HayesMaker64 gave his thoughts on the game recently, and it was all praise:

“The game is just as brutal, but rewardingly satisfying to progress as it always has been. Whether you’re a hardcore fan who can walk through the whole game blindfolded, or a dungeon crawler newbie, curious as to why this game is considered one of the best ever dungeon crawlers, I think you will not be disappointed.”

I think that pretty much describes this port to a T. Eye of The Beholder is one classic game you wouldn’t wanna miss—and now that everyone has access to it, there’s no reason to not give it a spin.

Last, but not least, we move on to what we’d consider a classic living legend. No matter how many times newcomers mistake Link for the titular princess, The Legend of Zelda franchise is and will be a series that keeps on going.

Tukinem just unveiled what appears to be the unfinished prototype of Zelda which is fully playable on the Commodore Amiga. While he says he was overwhelmed by the sheer size of this game, including all of its features, he still came up with nice, nostalgic piece of art.

It’s still very much in development, as Tukinem is still in the process of writing code. There’s also a chance that it might not be completed altogether due to the powers that be.

Still, there’s a working, downloadable version of what’s already been finished. So, if you’re a Zelda fan who can’t get enough of the legend, it’s best to check out this cool prototype.

Check the video here:

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WEEKLY DOSE OF GAMING NEWS: Super Metal Hero, Tournament Arkanoid ZX, and Starfox EX

Posted by Write Meow · 11月 22, 2022

2022 brought its fair share of triple-A sequels and reboots, and it's no different when it comes to the retro side of things. Classics were made to be appreciated, and sometimes, reimagined. Thankfully, the retro dev community has enough passion to make all our dreams come true. We'll be taking a look at something new, something we thought was lost in time, and something we didn't think we needed until now.

First up, another surprise for all the Amiga owners and enjoyers out there. The ever-awesome Colin Vella is coding the much-awaited awaited kickass game Super Metal Hero In Blitz Basic.

Working on graphics we got Tenshu and JMD is in charge of bringing the music to life. The development videos are live, and they're looking hot. The game has definitely come a long way since its first few times featured online. Not only has the dev team been optimizing it to work on a stock Amiga 1200, but the game also includes a new world, new levels, new backgrounds, new enemies, and a lot of firepowers. If you're into heavy artillery, and a whole lot of action, then Super Metal Hero just might be the game release you've been waiting for!

Now, it's time for a blast from the past courtesy of a sweet mod for the ZX Spectrum, made by Martyn Carroll. We all remember Arkanoid, and it's about time it got something new. That comes in the form of Tournament Arkanoid, a tribute and callback to the classic.

There's a lot of great artwork to go around, and Jarrod Bentley never disappoints. This mod comes in with a new loading screen crafter by Jarrod Bentley himself, and along with it, everything you've come to know and love about the original game. By that, we mean 32 levels of great difficulty, just like the arcades! It's a recreation of Taito’s official game from the old-school Tournament Arkanoid arcades. Since it was only available in 1987 in North America, it's nice to have it available on a larger scale in the modern 2020s.

So, this one's a bit of a different case. It's not a remake, a reboot, or a brand-new game. It's a ROM hack, but a cool one, if we're completely honest. It's for the classic arcade-style rail shooter Starfox and best believe we're doing a barrel roll into Starfox EX.

What we get from this is a brand new story for the game and dozens of amazing features that take full advantage of the Super NES and the SuperFX chip We also get a brand new map with 17 new levels, new bosses, music, backgrounds enemies, a 3+ page pre-game menu to customize your experience, and a whole lot more. One of the best features is the Multi-Tap, which allows you to play the game a whole new way. It's straight-up old-school multiplayer, either with friends, Al-controlled teammates, or just you controlling ALL the ships. If you want a challenge, you got it. The 90s lives on, and always will, through games like this. Starfox EX opens the door to a variety of possibilities for so many other retro games-and let's be honest, we can't wait to see what comes next!

Check the video here:

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WEEKLY DOSE OF GAMING NEWS: Submarine Warfare, Tiny Deathmatch, and Castle Escape

Posted by Write Meow · 11月 15, 2022

Whether multiplayer or solo 2D platformers, the retro sidescroller will always be a classic. Now, we've covered our fair share of titles in the genre, but it's always nice when a few good games align, like the planets, and not like the blood moon that we all saw recently. Halloween is done, people. We're all looking forward to Mariah Carey coming back. So, as we wait, let's take a look at a few retro games that could both pass and kill time.

The Commodore64 has some nice new homebrew, thanks to Mirazulado. Submarine Warfare is an arcade game that has you piloting a submarine to destroy everything up top. Kind of like that game that involves a world full of ships used for war. Yeah, that one.

This game feature lots of levels to play through, with the warships up above becoming stronger as you progress. There's also a level of realism as you got to keep an eye on your oxygen supply that starts to drop the longer it takes for you to complete each mission. It's pretty intense and a bit of fun if you're up for the challenge. So if you’re looking for a game that literally blows everything else out of the water, make sure to check out Submarine Warfare!

Something new for everyone! Tiny Deathmatch just dropped its latest downloadable release for the Amstrad CPC, and it's all thanks to Francesc Alcaucer. It's a brand new game where you either fight against other players or the CPU in a multiplayer deathmatch game programmed by Locomotive Basic. It's a four-player game that's apparently inspired by a game called Gorillas, a turn-based artillery game first distributed with MS-DOS 5 and published in 1991 by Microsoft.

It's the perfect retro game for anyone who's gotten tired of going solo and wants to try a bit of old-timey PVP. A very refreshing concept that gamers often leave by the wayside. It doesn't always have to triple-A fragging. You can always assert your dominance in a classic "Tiny Deathmatch" manner

The ZX Spectrum welcomes a new title to their lineup, Castle Escape, by IrataHack has you playing as a Wee Knight, a struggling warrior who's cursed by the weight of his armor.

You make your escape from a haunted Castle, and progress by collecting lots of loot and avoiding dangerous enemies. Yes, this ain't your usual hack-and-slash. It's a challenge of managing your weight and surviving at the same time. Fall damage is a thing, so tread carefully Purple Eggs are the solution to most of your problems, giving you a quick anti-gravity boost to counter your massive weight, in tum, you prolong your life by collecting the hearts so you don't die instantly when you crash to the ground.

This version for the ZX Spectrum Next includes a few enhancements, like better color attributes, more colorful sprites, more sprite animation frames, and of course, more bad guys. It's a good thing, trust me if you're looking for a game that puts the action in the backseat for a while, and puts your platforming skills to the test, then Castle Escape just might be the game for you!

Check out the video here:

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Deflemask October Showcase

Posted by Write Meow · 11月 11, 2022

It may be November already, but we hope you're ready for a treat for your ears alongside all that leftover Halloween candy. We're up for another round of showcasing artists from both Soundcloud and YouTube who work in Deflemask!

Click on the pictures to hear about the masterpieces they made!

Fizzled by Aleksandar Milović

This piece is based on a mix by Abstract64 that was made for Battle of the Bits, Summer Chip 11, and as a unique twist, it also happens to be one of the demo songs included in Deflemask. It's fun, inspiring, and incredible to see how each artist can add their own unique style.

Stage by Verum Corner

This piece was made for a homebrew game project called Space Cobra. It's a 2D pixel art, platformer, and action game about space pirates. Before you know it, this song will have you hyped to Swashbuckle your way across the galaxy.

Impossible Love by Tane

This is an original song heavily based on endless love from the 3DS Port. It's borrowed the style of Fantasy Zone II DX and has other influences thrown in as well. Give it a listen and see what you think.

Veritas by Xiggy

This version was made in Delflemask by Xiggy and was composed by Presti. Deemo is a score-based music video game. The plot centers around a little girl who falls from an open trap door in the sky and a mysterious black being who plays piano music to help the girl return to her own world. The retro style of this cover lends an extra air of mystery and intrigue.

Quick Race by Ethan Quach

This is a 16-bit cover of Battle Quick Race from Sonic Heroes. It was made in Deflemask using instruments from Sonic 3 and Knuckles Balloon Park, which is also by the same original composer. What a fun way to showcase a composer's unique style.

Gunky Thing by Rayjkayj

Are you ready for a funky little looptoberjam? Rayjkayj brought us a little neo- geo inspiration with this fun and original little gunky thing loop, and we can't wait to see what it turns into.

Space Battle by Scowsh

Put your astronaut costumes back on! This is an original piece that was composed using the NES sound trip by Scowsh. It's exciting, mysterious, and absolutely out of this world.

Tidal Rush by Ethan Quach.

This is a 16-bit cover of Tidal Rush from Splatoon two. It's done in the style of Sonic 3 and Knuckles. And honestly, it feels like we really missed out on having a 16-bit version of Splatoon

Check out the video here with Mimi!

Oh before you go, do you like chiptunes? Cats? Maybe Mimi or the Sega Genesis? Well, if you do, let's have a catjam together! Join us on Discord and subscribe to us on YouTube!

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