On September 10th, iconic game developer and publisher Acclaim made its return to the games industry with the Play Acclaim Showcase, detailing its first wave of titles in over 20 years.
The first Play Acclaim Showcase had 9 games, but even in that small selection, there was a lot of variety, including 2D metroidvanias, sports titles, and a rhythm-based dungeon crawler!
Alex Josef, CEO of Acclaim, said, “We're ecstatic to relaunch Acclaim with a lineup that captures our legacy of bold creativity and delivers fresh, unforgettable experiences. These games are just the beginning of our mission to redefine fun for players everywhere.“
Here are all the games announced at the Play Acclaim Showcase:
Basketball Classics
- Developer:Â Namo Gamo
- "‹Platforms: Out now on PC, coming soon to Nintendo Switch
“5-on-5 Pro Basketball born from the golden era of sports games. This spiritual successor to the 8-bit ballers bridges the gap between retro and today's simulation games.”
“Side-scrolling, arcade action is paired with on-the-fly strategy. 3-button gameplay is easy to pick up, but it’s the dynamic play-calling that elevates this title beyond just long bombs and acrobatics.”
GRIDbeat!
- Developer:Â Ridiculous Games
- Platforms: PC & Consoles (TBA)
“A rhythm-fueled cyber-dungeon crawler where every move must match the music or risk total system shutdown.”
“You just breached Knoss.OS, the planet's most fortified corporate network, and made off with a payload of priceless data. Now you're trapped inside, hunted by rogue security protocols and hostile malware. Your only way out? Sync with the system. Move to the beat. And escape before the grid locks you down for good.”
Ground Zero Hero
- Developer:Â Rowan Edmondson
- "‹Platforms: PC & Consoles (TBA)
“Ground Zero Hero is an action-roguelite with light survival elements set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Battle mutated freaks, absorb their radioactive guts, mutate yourself to gain new powers… and eat a lot of candy.”
HYPERyuki: Snowboard Syndicate
- Developer:Â Wabisabi Design, Inc.
- "‹Platforms: PC & Consoles (TBA)
“Welcome to the Snowboard Syndicate! Race, compete, and explore the slopes as a colorful cast of unique characters! But what’s snowboarding without a little bit of drip? Through exploring and racing, you can unlock cosmetics such as designs for your snowboard and clothes to make sure you shine the brightest while shredding.”
Katanaut
- Developer:Â Voidmaw
- "‹Platforms: Out Now on PC, consoles TBA
“Katanaut is a fast-paced, Metroidvania-inspired action roguelite blending fluid combat and cosmic horror. Slash, dodge, and wield powerful abilities as you battle through a station sprawling with twisted, once-human horrors.”
“Adapt, survive, and descend into the shadows to uncover dark secrets. Lovingly dubbed “Dead Space Cells” by early fans.”
Pixel Washer
- Developer:Â Valadria
- "‹Platforms: PC & Consoles (TBA)
“Step into the hooves of Pigxel, a plucky pig armed with a powerful power washer, tasked with cleaning up a messy town. Wielding your trusty washer, you’ll spray your way through a variety of exciting challenges.”
Talaka
- Developer:Â Potato Kid
- Platforms: PC & Consoles (TBA)
“A fast-paced, combat-driven roguelite that brings Afro-Brazilian mythology to life in a vivid, hand-painted world unlike anything you’ve seen.”
The Prisoning: Fletcher’s Quest
- Developer:Â Elden Pixels
- "‹Platforms: PC & Consoles (TBA)
“Enter the mind of Fletcher Howie Jr, a game developer on the brink of physical and emotional burnout during the final stages of an intense project.”
“After a visit to the psychologist that goes horribly wrong, you must escape your perilous mental prison in a Metroidvania drenched in anxiety based on a very true story.”
Tossdown
- Developer:Â Fer Factor
- "‹Platforms: PC & Consoles (TBA)
“Deliver packages in a world where everything's out to kill you, escape wild hazards and enemies, fight back using wacky power-ups and choose from a variety of perks to improve your chances of survival.”
It’s a bold new step back into the gaming industry for Acclaim, and we hope it pays off for them. It cannot be easy to rebuild Acclaim, especially without the presence of its most recognisable IPs, such as Turok and Shadow Man.
That being said, the line-up from their first showcase back in the limelight not only shows a willingness to start small, but also the decision to not chase the past and instead look to the future.
You can watch the full Play Acclaim Showcase on the official Acclaim YouTube channel.
What do you think of the nine titles shown off at the Play Acclaim Showcase? Do any of them get you excited for the future of Acclaim? Let us know in the comments below.
