What is MAGFest Indie Retro?

Now in its 9th year, MAGFest Indie Retro Homebrew Showcase held in partnership with Indie Retro and Mega Cat Studios, has become one of the most cherished highlights of the Super MAGFest experience. It’s easy to spot our showcase with good old-day vibes and classic CRT televisions, all buzzing with incredible homebrew games.

More than just a department, this is a celebration of creativity and nostalgia. It features a carefully curated collection of new homebrew titles for classic platforms, offering an exciting experience for thousands of pixel-loving attendees.

Submissions for
MAGFest x Indie Retro 2027 are NOW OPEN!

The deadline to submit your game is September 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST.

Super MAGFest 2027 will run from January 7–10, 2027, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD.

WINNERS FROM THE
2026 INDIE RETRO HOMEBREW SHOWCASE

FAQ

HOW DO I SUBMIT MY GAME THIS YEAR?

Submissions now go through the new MAGFest ID system:

1. Create/Log in to your MAGFest ID: You’ll be prompted to set up a MAGFest ID or “MAG ID” first. Use a personal email rather than a general studio email, as this login will manage your applications, attendance, and pre-orders. If you already created a login for MIVS or Indie Arcade, use that same one!

2. Register Your Studio: Register under whatever umbrella fits your team—whether that is a studio, team, collective, or solo creator name.

3. Submit from Your Studio Page: Once registered, check your email for a link to your Studio Page. From there, you can submit one or multiple games and edit your information anytime before the September 30, 2026 deadline. You will receive a verification email once a submission is received.

WHAT DO I NEED TO INCLUDE IN MY SUBMISSION?

A submission requires a build of your game, screenshots, and an indication of whether you or your team can attend in person. While in-person attendance is not strictly required, our volunteer staff always prioritize it.

IF I’M ACCEPTED, WHAT IS REQUIRED FROM ME?

While we love having developers attend in person to share their games directly with fans, those who cannot attend are expected to participate in digital and social media promotion to help drive attendees to the showcase. For attending developers, core showcase hours run from 11 AM – 7 PM EST.

WHAT ARE THE CONTENT GUIDELINES/POLICY FOR THE SHOWCASE?

Per the MAGFest Code of Conduct, all festival areas are strictly “PG-15” at all times. All submitted games must adhere to ESRB Teen Rating guidelines.

I’M A PUBLISHER. CAN I SUBMIT A GAME I PUBLISH?

Generally, games submitted to MAGFest must be the creation of your own studio, self, or team. Games may not be submitted by third parties that did not majorly assist in the creation of the game (such as external publishers or outsourced marketing agencies). Official eligibility is determined at MAGFest’s discretion.

WILL GAMES SUBMITTED TO THE SHOWCASE BE REQUIRED TO BE COMPLETED BY THE TIME OF THE SHOWCASE?

No. Partially completed games and playable demos are accepted! However, the more complete and polished your build is, the easier it is for our judging panel to evaluate.

HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHO IS IN THE SHOWCASE?

Our panel of retro industry judges evaluates all entries based on design, execution, and how well the game utilizes its hardware. Those evaluations determine the final accepted lineup.

IS INDIE RETRO DIFFERENT FROM MIVS AND INDIE ARCADE?

Yes! MAGFest hosts several distinct indie departments:

• Indie Retro: Caters specifically to physical cartridges, homebrews, and throwback PC games targeting platforms from the DOS era and earlier.
• MIVS: Focuses on modern indie titles designed for platforms like Steam or current consoles.
• Indie Arcade: Dedicated to physical arcade cabinets, custom installations, and experimental hardware.

If your game fits the criteria for multiple departments, you are welcome to apply to all of them using your same MAGFest ID!

IF ACCEPTED, CAN I UPDATE MY GAME’S INFORMATION OR BUILDS LATER?

Yes! You can edit your game details on your Studio Page up until the submission deadline. Any final asset or build updates closer to the event must be finalized at least 30 days prior to Super MAGFest.

MY GAME REQUIRES A CUSTOM MAPPER OR MODIFIED HARDWARE. CAN YOU EMULATE IT?

The Indie Retro Showcase is hardware only. However, if you provide physical hardware/cartridges or demonstrate it in person, we will work with you to make it run!

I WANT TO SHOW MY GAME BUT CAN’T AFFORD TO SHIP HARDWARE TO MAGFEST. CAN YOU HELP?

If your game is selected, you can request that we handle the physical implementation and safely shepherd your ROM onto a physical cartridge for showcase hardware. (Note: While we have the ability to do this for a variety of formats, not all are possible or guaranteed.)

CAN I SELL MY GAMES AT THE INDIE RETRO SHOWCASE?

Direct vending within the showcase space is not permitted without prior official arrangement and proper convention permits. If we have access to this going forward, we will notify finalists.

WHAT HARDWARE IS PROVIDED, AND DO I NEED TO BRING MY OWN?

We aim to provide a great, curated selection of PVMs and original hardware; however, as our showcase has grown, we've augmented our setup with other CRT and LCD televisions and aftermarket hardware such as the Hyperkin Retron 1 series. For any applicants that will be exhibiting, please bring any unique hardware that your game is optimized for.

I HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS NOT COVERED HERE…

Drop us a line at indieretro@magfest.org—we're always happy to chat!

CHECK OUT SOME OF THE PREVIOUS ENTRIES!