There's a lot to like about this month's collection of game-related Kickstarters, especially if you've been following the news of Microsoft's awful corporate antics. It feels good to see a win! As a general rule we recommend only backing crowdfunding campaigns if you feel comfortable with your own security and stability. We have no insider information or financial interest in any of these projects (unless noted otherwise) and no one at Retronauts has been compensated for including anything on this page. To the best of my ability I have not (and never will) endorse any campaign built around AI-generated assets.

Mega Man: Bot in the Family (ends September 4 estimated reward date May 2027)
Not a game but a collection of comic strips all about the famed robot hero from writer/artist Matthew Taranto, one that's fully approved by Capcom. You can see some samples on the Kickstarter page.

Beyond the NES (ends September 8 estimated reward date December 2026)
When it comes to Nintendo, we talk a whole lot about the NES first and foremost on our program since we (primarily) speak English. Author Joe Bourrie has compiled this guide in order to shed more light on Nintendo's original 8-bit machine and "instill an appreciation for the Famicom as a console with its own distinct personality rather than just 'the Japanese NES'"

Retro Drawers (ends September 14 estimated reward date November 2026)
If you're like me, you probably have a bunch of loose video games around the house with nowhere to put them. I usually end up tossing them into a plastic bin in a closet but this campaign offers an alternative solution: Display them in an organized fashion!

The Layover Hit: Reloaded (ends September 17 estimated reward date December 2026)
Retronauts listener & Patreon supporter James Couche seeks funding for a new Game Boy Color action game, a sequel to his earlier work The Layover Hit: Assassins Run. You can try a demo of the new game on his itch.io page. Bonus fact: He's planning a feature film on this series!

Salene (ends September 18 estimated reward date August 2029)
Solo developer Oliver Shannon cites Blasphemous and Celeste as his primary influences creating his own pixel art Metroidvania. There's a demo on Steam to try out before you make any decisions.

Tricky and the Dream Caster (ends September 30 estimated reward date November 2027)
I've often said aloud that I wish retro-enthusiast game developers would aim at making more Dreamcast-like software and here we are with "Dream Cast" in the title! There's a demo on Steam if you want to check its bonafides for yourself.

Amnesia Fortnight 2026 (ends September 30 estimated reward date January 2027)
Fresh after their escape from the clutches of Microsoft, Double Fine Productions is bringing back their traditional Amnesia Fortnight game jam, their first since 2019. Check out the pitches as seen on the Kickstarter page; backers can vote for their favorites in order to pick which ones reach the prototype phase. Another vote will pick the winner, announced after the campaign ends!

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