Congratulations everybody: We made through an entire year of a pandemic. I wish I could use a definitive article and say "THE pandemic," but I can't say we're out of the woods yet. At least spring has arrived and we can look forward to nicer weather. And video games! Yes, look forward to these video games and consider backing them if they appeal to you.
As always, we have no insider information or financial interest in any of these projects, and no one at Retronauts has been compensated for including anything on this page. Also, in light of the ongoing pandemic, we recommend only backing crowdfunding campaigns if you feel comfortable with your own security and stability.
Lorcan the Leprechaun
Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS (with console port stretch goals)
Campaign ends: April 4
Estimated delivery time: March 2022
Minimum pledge to receive the game: CA$ 15 (about $12 US, digital only)
Demo available
It's a fact: The '90s were a long time ago, and '90s kids are all grown up. Some of them love the 3D platforms of that era, and some of them make video games now, so we have projects like Lorcan the Leprechaun. The game, which does not unresemble Super Mario 64, began life as a prototype in 2015 before the developer started over in 2018—and he's still going.
[lock on] Volume 1
Platform: it's a magazine
Campaign ends: April 7
Estimated delivery time: July 2021
Minimum pledge to receive the game: £18 (about $25 US, digital only)
[lock on] is described as "a video game journal centred around all things gaming, pop culture and art" with this first volume targeting "the past, present and future of the PlayStation." Very relevant, given how much PlayStation history is getting thrown away this year!
Note that £18 only qualifies for a digital copy of the journal; backers looking for a physical copy of the finished product must pledge at least £20 plus shipping.
Ghoul Grind
Platform: NES (with a Dreamcast port as a stretch goal!)
Campaign ends: April 7
Estimated delivery time: October 2021
Minimum pledge to receive the game: $10 US (digital only)
Demo available
One look at Ghoul Grind and you will say "this looks like a game made for Halloween." That's exactly what the two-man team of Woog Worx had in mind, and if fully funded, they plan to launch this throwback action platformer in time for this year's spookiest month.
Note that $10 only qualifies for a ROM file; backers looking for a physical cartridge must pledge at least $35 plus shipping.
Kowloon's Curse
Platform: Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
Campaign ends: April 22
Estimated delivery time: May 2022
Minimum pledge to receive the game: €15 (about $18 US, digital only)
Demo available
This project caught my eye thanks to its grim CRT aesthetic (pictured above). The developers describe it as a "turn-based horror RPG inspired by Japanese adventure games from the Dreamcast era" which isn't a sentence very many people say in everyday conversations. The team is based in Amsterdam, but they are working with Japanese scenario writers to further add to the story (which promises "multiple playthroughs with different outcomes")
1k Real Chess
Platform: Sinclair ZX80 and ZX81
Campaign ends: April 24
Estimated delivery time: September 2021
Minimum pledge to receive the game: €4 (about $5 US, digital only)
Now this is retro: a new-and-improved chess program for a 40-year-old microcomputer. The software is ready (it is an enhanced edition of a program from 1982) but the crowdfunding campaign is primarily to cover the costs of creating and distributing cassettes. Speaking of which, backers looking to receive an actual cassette copy must pledge at least €8 plus shipping (unless you live in Milano or Torino, Italy, where you can pick it up in person)