Huh, why am I so mellow this month? Probably because it's the first time in ages I'm writing one of these kompilations without an international plane flight looming on the horizon. I love to travel but there's something to be said for Going Home instead of Going Big (that's what I call flying across an ocean).
Normally this is the part where I tell you "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" but that's simply not true this time around as one project is, in his own words, "around 85%" written by a Retronaut. I'm sure you'll figure out which one!
One thing has not changed: To the best of my ability I have not (and never will) endorse any campaign built around AI-generated assets. Also, in light of the ongoing pandemic, we recommend only backing crowdfunding campaigns if you feel comfortable with your own security and stability.
NESBOOK: The Unofficial NES Companion (ends Nov 13 estimated reward date Jan 2026)
The title kinda says it all as this project promises to project "pure, unadulterated love for the NES" with a major assist from the one and only Stuart Gipp. Stu won't be the sole author of the book, mind you, but I look forward to his opinions on "a quintessential list of the best NES games."
Vampire Survivors: The Board Game (ends Nov 21 estimated reward date Dec 2026)
I know, I know, Vampire Survivors doesn't technically qualify as "retro" and the name of this website ain't BoardGameNauts. Yet when an indie game hits the big time this fast while celebrating the legacy of other video games, I approve of its expansion into other mediums.
Farnia Village (ends Nov 27 estimated reward date Sep 2028)
Many elements in Farnia Village seem overly common in games at the moment (Farming, Adventure, Romance, check, check, check) but this project stands out due to its pedigree. Shinichi Manabe, an industry veteran with credits on Rune Factory, Sonic, and Kirby games, is the primary developer here, with Takanori Tsuji—also a Rune Factory guy—credited as "writer."
BrickBoy (ends Nov 27 estimated reward date Mar 2026)
It's very cute how video games are entering the canon of "childhood objects enshrined as LEGO sets" but once you put together a model of a classic console, what's next? Video games exist to be played with! So I admire this plug-in gadget that transforms a LEGO Game Boy into a working Game Boy.
Video Games: Stage 3 and The Story of LucasArts (ends Nov 27 estimated reward date Mar 2026)
Author Andrea Contato continues his quest to document video game history in two languages as this campaign seeks to cover costs for translating the third volume of the series from Italian to English. Meanwhile, Contato also has a book titled Rebels, Pirates and Tentacles focusing on the work of LucasArts. Backers can elect to receive both books or just one (or none, if you'd prefer Contato to have some extra pocket money).