New Games at the 2023 Portland Retro Gaming Expo!

[Albert]

I will be using this thread to post about new games that will be available at this year's Portland Retro Gaming Expo.  While I will mainly be posting about games that will be available in our booth, if you're going to have a new game available elsewhere at the show, please feel free to post about it here.  I plan on posting periodically as titles are firmed up and progress is made on artwork and designs for printed materials!

 

 ..Al

[Albert]

Death Merchant is a new Atari 7800 game by @Atarius Maximus that will be making its debut in physical form at PRGE this year.  David Exton created wonderful packaging for the game.  Here are renders of the front and back of the box:

 

Here's a brief description of the game:

 

Death Merchant is set in a post-apocalyptic world, and the object of the game is to survive for 31 days and earn as much money as you can in the process by buying and selling survival gear. You set out with a $5,000 loan for a month in the abyss, looking to earn as much money as you can while surviving your journey. You’ll have to deal with random events that occur when traveling that can help or hinder your progress. When the game starts, you’re presented with a main menu of options at the bottom of the screen: Buy, Sell, Bank, Stats, Travel, Doctor, Train, Fight, Lender, and Rest. On the top half of the screen you’ll see your current stats, your cash, and your current location on the left side, and on the right side you’ll see all of the items available for trade, the current prices, and the quantity of each that you currently own.

Progressing in the game requires that you travel, that's what triggers the start of the next day. Certain options are only available in certain cities so you'll need to travel to specific destinations based on your current needs in the game.

 

You can learn more about Death Merchant here:

 

 

 ..Al

[Albert]

Game of the Bear 2 Much to Bear is a new Atari 2600 game by @vhzc (Vladimir Zúñiga) that will make its debut at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo.  Here's a first look at the packaging:

Poor Ursulo, can't catch a break.

 

Rhobear2, and evil robot-clone created by Dr. Wizardo, captured our hero to avenge his creator, defeated by Ursulo in his first adventure.  Help Ursulo defeat Rhobear2 and escape from the cursed space station.

• Find the three keys and defat Dr. Wizardo
• More than 50 screens with perils and puzzles
• 32K of platforming action

You can learn more here:

 

 

[Albert]

Berry Fun! is a new Atari 2600 game by @littaum and will see its initial physical release in Portland!  The artwork and box design were created by @Atariboy2600.

 

 

Farmer McDonald is trying out the new Accu-Pick 2600, the latest in automated strawberry pickers.  It can detect how many ripe berries are available for picking and move to them, but the machine's 8-bit processor doesn't have enough clock cycles left over to actually pick them.  So he's leaving it up to you to pick his crop!  Pick the ripe berries, but leave the unripe and rotten berries alone.  And be quick about it!  Farmer McDonald will grow more impatient with each row, giving you less time to pick but offering more money per pick.  Make as much money as you can before you either run out of extra chances (either due to berries that are not ripe or not making a pick when you need to) or complete all available rows.  Either one person can play by themselves, or two players can play at the same time to pick the yummy strawberries together!

 

 

[rra]

 

[insertclevernamehere]

3 hours ago, Albert said:

Berry Fun! is a new Atari 2600 game by @littaum and will see its initial physical release in Portland!  The artwork and box design were created by @Atariboy2600.

 

 

Farmer McDonald is trying out the new Accu-Pick 2600, the latest in automated strawberry pickers.  It can detect how many ripe berries are available for picking and move to them, but the machine's 8-bit processor doesn't have enough clock cycles left over to actually pick them.  So he's leaving it up to you to pick his crop!  Pick the ripe berries, but leave the unripe and rotten berries alone.  And be quick about it!  Farmer McDonald will grow more impatient with each row, giving you less time to pick but offering more money per pick.  Make as much money as you can before you either run out of extra chances (either due to berries that are not ripe or not making a pick when you need to) or complete all available rows.  Either one person can play by themselves, or two players can play at the same time to pick the yummy strawberries together!

 

 

I have to admit that just from the punny title, I brushed this off as something that wouldn't appeal to me and I never checked it out.  Then along comes some gorgeous, colourful AtariAge artwork and I'm suddenly interested.  Does that make me shallow?

[Albert]

ElectroBall is a new, fast-paced, futuristic, head-to-head sports game by @littaum for the Atari 2600 with over 10,000 gameplay variations. The box design was created by Vladimir Zúñiga, @vhzc. 

Mount up in your Power Sphere on the field to compete against another person or an A.I. drone of selectable difficulty.  With five different selectable A.I. skill levels, you can even have two A.I. drones play against each other and cheer them on from the stands.  Whoever scores the most goals within the time limit (or sudden death playoff in case of tie) wins!  Play one of four seasonal variations (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) to find out who truly is the ElectroBall champion!

 

 

[+bent_pin]

On 8/8/2023 at 4:23 PM, insertclevernamehere said:

I have to admit that just from the punny title, I brushed this off as something that wouldn't appeal to me and I never checked it out.  Then along comes some gorgeous, colourful AtariAge artwork and I'm suddenly interested.  Does that make me shallow?

Berry shallow 🤣

 

JK, couldn't pass up the word play.

[insertclevernamehere]

4 hours ago, Albert said:

ElectroBall is a new, fast-paced, futuristic, head-to-head sports game by @littaum for the Atari 2600 with over 10,000 gameplay variations. The box design was created by Vladimir Zúñiga, @vhzc. 

Mount up in your Power Sphere on the field to compete against another person or an A.I. drone of selectable difficulty.  With five different selectable A.I. skill levels, you can even have two A.I. drones play against each other and cheer them on from the stands.  Whoever scores the most goals within the time limit (or sudden death playoff in case of tie) wins!  Play one of four seasonal variations (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter) to find out who truly is the ElectroBall champion!

 

 

 This reminds me of Speedball 2 that I used to own (and now do again) for the MD/Genesis.  Love that game so will have to pick this up.

[+littaum]

I'm ecstatic at the work that @Atariboy2600 and @vhzc did for the art for these homebrew games.   I wanted something light and happy (and strawberry mouth-watering) for Berry Fun! .. it makes picking berries in the hot summer sun appealing.  The cover looks like a still frame from a Saturday morning cartoon.  For ElectroBall I wanted an 80's style retro-futuristic look, which was totally nailed.  It reminds me a bit of some of the game covers from Epyx or Mastertronic back in the day.

 

 

[Albert]

Plumb Luck DX is a new game by @SmittyB that will see its physical release at PRGE this year.  I present to you the beautiful box design created by William Thorup, @BitJag, based on sketches by SmittyB:

Plumb-Bob has landed the biggest contract he's ever seen, and he's going to need it if his small plumbing business is to survive. As Plumb-Bob's apprentice, you'll need to contend with leftover piping and pumps running whether you're ready or not; Delays are unacceptable when big money is on the line. To succeed, it's going to take all of your skills, quick thinking, and plumb luck!

 

 

[Albert]

Millie and Molly is making its debut on the Atari 7800 in cartridge form at this year's PRGE!  I know it's taken a while, but it will be worth the wait!  Here's a render of the Millie and Molly box, based on the Commodore 64 version published by Bitmap Soft:

Can you help Millie and Molly defeat the malicious monsters?

 

Climb, push and dig your way through 100 levels, using your wits and rewind power to clear each unique course.

 

Featuring charming graphics, eight specially composed pokey tunes and ingenious level design, Millie and Molly brings a fresh puzzle adventure to the Atari 7800 based on the original Commodore 64 classic by Carleton Handley.

 

 

[+bent_pin]

@Albert Will these be available in the AA store eventually, or should I try to get someone to buy a set for me?

[Albert]

2 minutes ago, bent_pin said:

@Albert Will these be available in the AA store eventually, or should I try to get someone to buy a set for me?

Everything released at PRGE in the AtariAge booth will be available in the store after the show in November.

 

 ..Al

[Albert]

Harpy's Curse is another new Atari 7800 title making its debut at this year's Portland Retro Gaming Expo!  Here's a peak at the beautiful box artwork created by William Thorup, @BitJag:

You are a harpy - swift of wing and vicious in nature.  Banished to a deadly labyrinth, you are tasked with defeating the four keepers of the maze - only then can you face the Great Sphinx who exiled you here.

The labyrinth contains legendary artifacts - feathers of legendary birds and beasts that might aid you.  Great power might be found here, but you truly wish for escape, and the only way out is through the machinations of the Sphinx.

 

 

 

[Albert]

The Atari 2600 game Immunity will be arriving in physical form at the Portland Retro Gaming Expo this year!  This is another great box created by William Thorump, @BitJag!

The worldwide pandemic lingers on and on, and new dangers now infect our bodies. What can any of us do? The basics obviously come to mind: good hygiene, staying out of big crowds, eating healthy, and getting rest. But what else can help us survive?

 

New research and tools allow you to take on the role of the human immune system. with this new ability to travel between and inside cells, discover new strategies to defend and fight back against these viral invaders. Be careful, though, these tools also allow other humans to take on the role of the virus and work against you. The fight will be difficult, and sometimes it will seem impossible, but it will all be worth it to achieve 'Immunity'!

 

 

[Albert]

A.R.T.I., a new 7800 game created by @Muddyfunster, will make its first appearance at PRGE this year!  This box was created by @Atariboy2600 (John Calcano), and here's a peak at a render of the box:

Welcome to A.R.T.I. - Archaeological Rescue Team International!

 

Use your jetpack and your flying skills to navigate your way around ancient ruins. Knock out walls with your dynamite and delve ever deeper, searching for lost explorers and adventurers. Use your laser to defeat vicious beasties, but be careful not to knock out the lamps, rescue work is harder in the dark! Avoid traps and lava flows before heading back to camp for a spot of tea.

 

• Supports SNES2Atari & Mega7800 adapters
• Supports AtariVox, SaveKey and 7800 High Score Cartridge
• Features POKEY Soundtrack with built-in HOKEY chip
• More than 20 challenging levels to beat
• Three uniquely themed areas to explore

 

 

[Albert]

Caramujo is a new 2600 game that will make its first appearance in Portland this year!  @Atariboy2600 (John Calcano) has created an absolutely stunning box for Caramujo, here's a render (click for a larger view):

Caramujo:

 

The snail has embarked on a mysterious journey, far from familiar landscapes.  Along the way, it will encounter various friendly and hostile creatures.  Your task is to help the snail reach its goal. The snail's path is unknown, just as it is unknown to you, as you both navigate through the game.  The only thing the snail knows more than you is its objective.  Will you succeed in helping the snail reach its goal?  Good luck!

 

 

[insertclevernamehere]

Congratulations to John Calcano.  Another colourful and beautiful cover.  I love this one and Berry Fun.

I just noticed you did A.R.T.I. too!  Yep, love that one too.  

Edited August 29 by insertclevernamehere

[+sramirez2008]

Excellent box art!

[Atariboy2600]

1 hour ago, insertclevernamehere said:

Congratulations to John Calcano.  Another colourful and beautiful cover.  I love this one and Berry Fun.

I just noticed you did A.R.T.I. too!  Yep, love that one too.  

Thanks^_^

[Albert]

Bot & Tom is a new 2600 game that will make its debut at this year's PRGE!  Here's a preview of the artwork and box by @Atariboy2600:

 

 

Join Bot & Tom on their dangerous road trip by helping them to overcome the increasingly difficult road blocks. The twist is, that you can only control Bot directly, while Tom is affected by Bot's movement.

If you push up with your joystick, Bot jumps up and quickly pulls Tom fast back onto the road. If you push down, Bot quickly returns to the road and, when landing hard, bounces Tom down. The faster Bot lands on the road, the higher Tom will bounce. How far can you make it before running out of energy?

 

Power-Ups
If you have this option enabled (Left Difficulty = A), you can collect power-ups, which randomly appear at the top or bottom of the screen. But Bot & Tom will receive no extra energy at the end of a stage.

Left arrow - Moves the bots a bit to the left, making the game a bit easier.

Orange bomb - Removes all orange obstacles
Blue bomb - Removes all blue obstacles
Battery - Restores some energy

 

Shield

The shield option (Right Difficulty = A) allows Bot & Tom to pass through an obstacle without losing energy from doing so.  To active the shield, press the fire button.  While the shield is enabled, a small amount of energy will be used.  Additionally, if Bot or Tom hit an obstacle without the shield enabled, they will lose twice as much energy than without this option enabled.

 

 

[+bent_pin]

Wow! So many new games to buy when they hit the store. I'm quite envious of those who will be getting them at the convention.

[+sramirez2008]

Great box art. This game is on my list for PRGE purchases.👍

[Albert]

Robot Zed is a new game by @Sprybug that will see its debut at PRGE this year!  Here's a render of the box that Chris put together for the game: 

 

Time to Save your Robot Buddies!

 

The Home Base has been taken over by sinister robots. The automated emergency system has activated its emergency robot, Robot Zed, to clean up the place. However, all of your robot friends have been taken away to different parts of the Robot World, and it's up to you to control Robot Zed in these different lands, battle robots, and battle the master robot to rescue your friends! Give yourself new and different abilities by defeating certain robot villains, but be careful not to run out of energy yourself!