Get Your Hands on a Playable Demo of I Hate This Place at PAX East 2025 Or Else!

Kraków, Poland, 7th May 2025 | Broken Mirror Games, in partnership with Skybound Entertainment, has announced that I Hate This Place – the upcoming isometric, open-world survival horror game will make its first public appearance at PAX East 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. 

A hands-on playable demo will be available to the public at Booth #15078 as part of the Games From Poland collective.

Inspired by Skybound’s Eisner award-nominated comic book series created by writer Kyle Starks and artist Artyom Topilin, I Hate This Place plunges players deep into a supernatural world where the rules of reality come undone. In an all-new isometric survival horror experience, delivered in a striking visual style drenched in bold, vivid colours and retro ‘80s comic book aesthetics, each location is lovingly crafted to tell its own disturbing story through stylish visuals that blur the line between reality and nightmare in a world where everything wants you dead.

Players take on the role of Elena, whose fight for survival begins when she unwittingly awakens a malevolent force. Outmatched and hunted in a hostile world, players must think fast, manipulating their surroundings to even the odds against formidable foes, engaging in tense gunfights and melee combat that rewards ingenuity over brute force, all while crafting essential tools to survive the harsh and unforgiving wilderness long enough to reach safehouses before nightfall, with the day & night cycle having an impact on gameplay dynamics. Whatever you do though, avoid the Horned Man at all costs.

I Hate This Place will launch on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. The Game is set to launch in Q4 of 2025 and is available to Wishlist now.

Broken Mirror Games 

Founded in 2024, Broken Mirror Games is a co-development horror label under Bloober Team, known for its commitment to pushing the boundaries of the horror genre. With a focus on immersive experiences, innovative gameplay, and captivating storytelling, Broken Mirror Games creates unforgettable, spine-chilling titles that leave a lasting impact on players. The first game to be released by Broken Mirror Games will be the mysteriously announced Project M in early 2025. 

Learn more at www.brokenmirrorgames.com 

ABOUT SKYBOUND ENTERTAINMENT  

We do things differently here. Skybound is the creator-driven, fan-focused company behind landmark global franchises like The Walking Dead, Invincible, Impact Winter, and hundreds more IPs that are redefining entertainment through our Wheel of Awesome business model. Skybound unlocks the unique opportunity to cultivate all aspects of a franchise from development through distribution; our IP connects with audiences through groundbreaking stories told on a grand scale. We empower our creators to directly expand their IP and turn their ideas into movies, TV shows, tabletop games, comics, podcasts, collectibles, video games, or all of the above and then some. 

Article by: Susan N.

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Our Cards Come to Life in Hordes of Fate

Brisbane, Australia - May 8, 2025 | Brisbane-based studios Spitfire Interactive and Defiant Development have announced Hordes of Fate : A Hand of Fate Adventure, a survivor-like spin-off of the critically acclaimed Hand of Fate series (which has sold over a million copies worldwide). The game is set to launch on PC via Steam in 2025, with a playable demo available starting May 15.

Hordes of Fate : A Hand of Fate Adventure has players return to the world of Hand of Fate in a deck-building meets auto-shooter. Draw cards and carve through hordes of lethal monsters. Unlock new heroes, upgrades and encounters, and stack your hand against the Dealer’s fiendish challenge decks.

This new title brings the franchise’s signature “cards come to life” deckbuilding into a fast-paced roguelike autoshooter, complete with a deep progression system. Players unlock new equipment, encounters, blessings, and powerful enchantments by discovering and completing encounter cards dealt into each stage. Fight through hordes of fiendish monsters and survive long enough to confront the powerful bosses in each of the game's challenges.

"We're honored to be returning to the world of Hand of Fate and to finally be able to share the demo with all of the fans - new and old," Spiritfire Interactive team member Cade shared, "The demo gives an early glimpse at what Hordes of Fate has to offer and includes an early challenge, and our first playable hero. And for those who defeat the boss, a second, harder difficulty is available. The full game, releasing later in the year, will expand with more challenges, boss variety, playable heroes, enemy types and locations, equipment, encounters and quests all wrapped in a deeper progression system with more tokens to unlock. We're so excited to see people play and appreciate the Hand of Fate series in a whole new way!"

Hordes of Fate : A Hand of Fate Adventure is launching on PC (via Steam) in 2025, with a demo on Steam available on May 15. More updates will be shared leading up to launch on the Spiritfire Interactive X account and their website. 

Hordes of Fate : A Hand of Fate Adventure is supported by the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland’s Games Grants.

About Hordes of Fate : A Hand of Fate Adventure

Return to the world of Hand of Fate! Deckbuilding meets auto-shooter in this new title from the original creative team. Draw your cards and carve your way through hordes of lethal monsters. Unlock new heroes, upgrades and encounters, and stack your hand against the Dealer’s fiendish challenge decks.

Build your deck, bring it to life, and hope to survive in this bullet heaven auto shooter. Choose your hero, your weapons and encounter cards, and embark on a series of escalating challenges against hordes of foes to help restore the Dealer’s dominion over his court, one card at a time.

Stack Your Deck

Hand of Fate set the standard for deckbuilding roguelikes in 2016, and now we're allowing you to build your own autoshooter. Text encounters and quests drawn from your deck allow you to unlock Tokens and earn new cards to expand the possibilities and grow your power for each subsequent run.

Discover hidden encounter outcomes and earn powerful weapon enchantments that transform your equipment, branching their power in new directions and creating unique builds and playstyles, keeping each run fresh and unique based on the cards dealt and the choices you make.

Dark Fantasy Bullet Heaven

Defeat minions, upgrade your equipment, and delve ever deeper into the world of Hand of Fate. Collect and assemble a devastating array of weapons and enchantments, and unleash hell upon wave after wave of fearsome monsters in fast and frenetic combat.

Heroes Call

Unlock a collection of heroes from the Hand of Fate universe, each with their own auto-shooting weapon and perk cards that add to the deckbuilding possibilities of each run.

Each hero comes armed with a unique activatable weapon card that can turn the tide of battle when the course of combat and shapes their unique playstyle.

Hand of Fate Reimagined

Uncover new and reimagined encounters and equipment, visit new locations and play as familiar heroes from across the Hand of Fate universe, all from a top-down auto-shooter perspective.

Fight hordes of Hand of Fate enemies and monsters on a scale never like never before.

About Spiritfire Interactive

Spitfire Interactive is a small, independent developer based in sunny Brisbane, Australia, comprised of key creatives behind the Hand of Fate franchise. They're focused on creating high-quality, original titles with a small, talented team.

About The IndiEXP

The IndiEXP is a small marketing and PR agency based in Adelaide, Australia, looking to market and promote hidden gems made by talented independent game developers.

Article by: Susan N.

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Survive in a World After a Seismic Meteor Strike in Survival the Fall

May 5th, 2025 | In Survive The Fall you are thrown into the aftermath of a seismic meteor strike that left Earth in a perpetual autumn. Civilization is on the brink of collapse, rivaling factions battle for supremacy and nature is left scarred and mutated.

Lead a team of unique and unforgettable characters as you explore an open world where danger and beauty collide and opportunity waits for the brave. Scavenge for resources or gear and loot to survive and thrive in this harsh new reality.  

Experience the high-octane action and nerve-tingling suspense when you fight the various factions on your expeditions. With its twin-stick shooter inspired real-time combat, the optional tactical pause, where you can analyze the battlefield and give orders to your team as well as stealth mechanics, the choice is yours how to approach each confrontation.

In this exhilarating mix of open world roleplaying and city builder, fortune favors the brave: Bring your collected resources, gear and other loot to your camp and enjoy the comforts of your upgradable settlement. Craft or improve gear, heal the wounded and research the extensive tech tree. With more than 30 building types and facilities you can lay the foundation not only for your survival but for those who decide to join you in your fight for humanity.

Check out the Steam product page here.

Article by: Susan N.

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RoadCraft by Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive Launching May 20th!

PARIS – April 28, 2025 | Today Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive released a new co-op trailer for RoadCraft, the next-gen heavy-machinery simulation game. Following the success of its Steam Next Fest demo, which featured cooperative play, this new trailer lets everyone know how much bigger the game can be when played with fellow rebuilders. RoadCraft launches May 20 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The Standard and Rebuild Editions are already available for pre-order on Steam, the Epic Games Store, PlayStation Store, and Microsoft Store.

Reshape the Aftermath. Together.

In today’s trailer, you’ll see how co-op mode elevates RoadCraft’s sandbox gameplay! Share the load and multiply the fun, with up to four players able to join the party within the same host’s map. Find out how to best operate construction machinery and manage reconstruction resources as you share roles, tasks, and a fleet of vehicles. Never despair against treacherous terrain, as a friendly crane will always be around to lift you up. Experience a new adventure every time as you come up with new ways to get the job done together. Have a blast taking up the toughest challenges as a team!

RoadCraft’s online multiplayer mode will include:

• Cross-platform multiplayer
• Drop-in/drop-out connection
• Shared progression - Choose to sync your progress with your host’s or simply join as a guest player
• Built-in voice chat

RoadCraft releases May 20, 2025, on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Pre-order it now on Steam, the Epic Game Store, PlayStation Store, and Microsoft Store.

Create your Focus Together account today to receive exclusive rewards and join the community and development of RoadCraft.

Article by: Susan N.

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Experience Mech-Themed Tactical Roguelike Deckbuilder StarVaders on Steam!

MONTREAL, Quebec – April 30, 2025 | Independent developer Pengonauts and publisher Joystick Ventures are proud to announce that, after more than 3 years in development and having garnered more than 55.000 wishlists, the mech-themed tactical roguelike deckbuilder StarVaders is launching today on Steam at a price of US$ 24.99, with a 10% discount during the next 2 weeks. StarVaders combines tactical grid-based combat with deckbuilding strategy, placing you in command of a formidable mech during humanity’s last stand against alien invaders. By fusing the spatial intuitiveness of grid-based tactics with the theorycrafting and strategy of deckbuilding games, StarVaders offers an easy-to-learn yet hard-to-master experience perfect for both casual players as well as dedicated fans of the genre.

“The amount of time players have spent with just the demo was always amazing, hyped to see the playtimes we'll get with the full release.” - Hansen, Lead Developer

In StarVaders, the fate of the world depends on your deckbuilding and tactical skills, select your favorite among 10 pilots and jump into one of the 3 unique mechs available to fight alien invaders. Strategize, prepare crazy combos, and even use the rewind time feature with the chrono tokens to reverse the key mistakes, and keep your mission on track.

Main Features:

• 3 Mechs with completely distinct mechanics;
• 10 Pilots with unique playstyles and their own stories;
• 268 Cards to craft your deck with;
• 153 Artifacts that change the rules of the game;
• 10 Packs that are randomly added to the card pool to keep runs fresh;
• 9 Bosses that will test your limits;
• 50 Invaders each with their own abilities;
• Story Campaign & Secret Finale;
• Ascending Difficulties each with new gameplay mechanics;
• Challenge Run & Daily Run game modes.

Each mech and its dedicated pilots offer unique synergies that modify the gameplay. Command the Gunner Mecha’s board-clearing firepower with Roxy, Noel, or Zeke, take control of the ninja-like Stinger Mecha with pilots Shun, Hali or Kaia, or unleash the spell-wielding powers of the Keeper controlled by Iris, Xenn, Garu, or Sura. Enhance your mech's power with over 400 unlockable cards, artifacts, and upgrades, forming fresh strategies on the fly to face new alien enemies and monstrous bosses.

For more intercepted transmissions about StarVaders, check out Pengonauts’s official website and follow @starvaders_game on X and on BlueSky, also follow the publisher @JoystickVenture on social media.

About The Pengonauts

The Pengonauts (formerly StarVaders Studio) is a Montreal-based three-person team delivering unique, fun, and memorable titles to share with the gaming community. StarVaders is their first commercial title and passion project. Find more about Pengonauts at https://pengonauts.com.

About Joystick Ventures

Joystick Ventures is a California-based investing and publishing company whose main goal is to encourage indie developers to stay honest and promote experimentation to push the limits of game design across all genres, styles, and geographies. They are most known for their 2022 release, Lost in Play, which has sold more than 200,000 copies.

Article by: Susan N.

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Build Gnome-Topia on PlayStation and Xbox Series X|S Now!

25 April 2025, Munich, Germany + Wroclaw Poland | Irox Games and Polish indie publisher Untold Tales are happy to announce that EcoGnomix, their quirky city-builder and turn-based roguelite hybrid mixed into one is out now on PlayStation 5 and Xbox X/S.

The game saw ample success on both PC and Switch and therefore helped the team to port the game onto PlayStation 5 and Xbox X/S.

In EcoGnomix you send a team of specialist gnomes on rogue-lite runs into a labyrinth of enchanted caves to bring back resources to expand your village above. Grow your little gnome-topia to let your expedition teams go deeper and deeper into the caves. 

Pick your team to gather resources, collect supplies, and fight off foes in strategic turn-based gameplay. The deeper you go, the more supplies you’ll need to stay and fight. So balance your resources, adapt your team as you progress through various biomes, combine various upgrades and units to create powerful synergies, and know that no matter how a run ends, you’ll never leave empty-handed. 

The game saw ample success on PC and Switch among players who enjoy unique strategy games with an air of laid-back gameplay without time pressure. 

 

GAME FEATURES:

Build Your Little Gnome Village

Above the caves is where you will build your thriving little gnome village. Unlock new buildings to get upgrades and abilities, establish production chains for valuable resources, and build up a tiny economy to help your team of gnomes venture further on their adventures for riches. 

Strategic Roguelite Runs

Every level needs you to think and play strategically. Pick from a variety of gnomes to deploy, each with their own specialty. Place them at the start of your turn and send them to work gathering resources and supplies while fighting off foes. At the end of your turn, reposition your entire team, add more gnomes if needed, and gather again!

But be warned with each turn, the cave becomes more and more unstable and ravenous bats pick away at your supplies. So decide when it’s time to leave and move on. Choose your path down the caves as you decide which routes to take. The deeper you go, the more supplies you’ll need to stay so think carefully and plan each move.

A Different Team For Every Expedition

Every run lets you adapt, change, and upgrade your team at various points, making each expedition into the caves unique. Modify your team and playstyle to what you need out of the run, mixing it up when a change of tactics is required. Pick and swap from a variety of gnomes to get the job done, assign game-changing upgrades that combine in unexpected ways, and discover hidden special abilities for certain gnomes.

Progress With Every Run

Venture into the caves knowing each run gets you resources no matter how they end. The deeper you go, the more valuable resources you can gather but no matter the outcome, you won’t return empty-handed. 

Article by: Susan N.

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Detective Themed Visual Novel is Available Today with 10% Discount in First Week!

Geel, Belgium. May 05, 2025 | Independent Belgian developer and publisher Rogueside Games is proud to announce that their detective-themed visual novel Best Served Cold is out today on PC at a price of 17,99 USD, with a launch discount of 10% during the first week. The title will be released also on Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X at a later date. At the Nightcap bar, prohibition is a killer… and so are some of your customers! Get ready to serve your best drinks and put your conversation skills to the test to solve a murder mystery!

In an alternate history Europe, “The Nightcap” is the last speakeasy in town, and you’re pouring the drinks… while your customers spill their secrets. Mix and serve cocktails with a twist, as you become a detective while trying to save your bar.

Listen to your clients’ stories and learn about their lives as you unravel a mystery that touches every layer of Bukovie society, from the drunken dandies splashing cash on cocktails, to the crooked cops and seedy lowlifes who try to rope you into their shady schemes.

A good bartender knows the art of conversation is just as important as the ability to pour libations, so listen carefully and keep your wits about you as you delight, charm or even threaten your patrons to get the information you need. With a cast of 20 unique and engaging characters it’s up to you to choose who you can trust, who will have your back… and who will stab you in it!

Over the course of five cases, you’ll have to explore every clue and question every suspect to save lives… and save your business. It’s time to flip that sign to open, turn up the jazz and welcome your first customers of the night.

Bukovie may be a city in strife, with labour strikes, rationing, unrest and the shadow of war looming, but instead of cowering in fear, the citizens flock to dance halls and speakeasies. Crumbling grandeur might inspire melancholy, but that’s nothing a stiff drink won’t cure. In a world of dwindling light, your speakeasy is a bonfire in the night. Though the city may soon burn, cocktails are always… Best Served Cold.

Useful Links

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rogueside/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Rogueside
• Website: https://www.rogueside.com/
• X/Twitter: https://x.com/RoguesideGames
• Best Served Cold on Steam: LINK

About Rogueside Games

Rogueside is an independent Belgian game developer on a mission to bring joy and excitement to players all over the world. Their team is made up of dedicated game enthusiasts who are passionate about crafting quality games that can be enjoyed by anyone. Whether it’s through quirky characters, breathtaking visuals, or puns galore, the studio is dedicated to crafting games that bring a smile to your face and leave you with a sense of joy and satisfaction.

Article by: Susan N.

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Peglin – Xbox Review

Peglin by developer Red Nexus Games Inc. and publisher BlitWorks—Microsoft Xbox Series X review written by Nick with a copy provided by the publisher. 

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

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Become the Best Bartender in New Simulation Game on May 7th!

April 24th, 2025 | Bartender Hustle, a unique game simulating a career in the bartending world, is now available on PlayStation 5 as of April 23. The gameplay is based mainly on mixing different types of cocktails and chatting with customers. Bartender Hustle is also available on PC, and will also be coming to Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S consoles on May 7.

Behind Bartender Hustle is independent Canadian studio Departure Interactive, which also has Metro Sim Hustle and Denizen games to its credit. The title hit PC first in 2022, and currently has 83 percent positive player reviews on Steam. Ultimate Games S.A. is responsible for developing and releasing the title on consoles.

Become a Master Bartender

Bartender Hustle is a first-person perspective game that is a relaxing simulator of a bartender's career. The title allows you to create all kinds of cocktails and drinks and demonstrate your own ingenuity in the process.

More than 100 different ingredients are at the player's disposal, including liquors, juices and other additives. In a bartending career, a total of 5 diverse establishments await the player - from a simple bar to a luxurious lounge.

An important part of Bartender Hustle is chatting and interacting with customers. Each guest not only has unique preferences for cocktails and drinks, but also a unique personality.

The gameplay is enhanced by additional game modes - arcade (handling as many customers as possible in a short period of time) and sandbox (unlimited play).

Bartender Hustle - Main Features:

• bartending career;
• mixing cocktails and drinks;
• conversations and interactions with customers;
• 100 different ingredients and 5 unique locations;
• additional game modes (arcade and sandbox).

Bartender Hustle debuted on PlayStation 5 on April 23, 2025, and the game will also hit Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S on May 7.

Article by: Susan N.

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Visit the Nightcap and Uncover Secrets to Solve a Crime in Best Served Cold

Geel, Belgium. April 16, 2025 | Independent Belgian developer and publisher Rogueside Games is proud to announce that their detective-themed visual novel Best Served Cold will be launching May 5 on PC at a price of 17,99 USD, with a launch discount of 10% during the first week. The title will be released also on Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5 and Xbox Series S/X at a later date. At the Nightcap bar, prohibition is a killer… and so are some of your customers! Get ready to serve your best drinks and put your conversation skills to the test to solve a murder mystery!

In an alternate history Europe, “The Nightcap” is the last speakeasy in town, and you’re pouring the drinks… while your customers spill their secrets. Mix and serve cocktails with a twist, as you become a detective while trying to save your bar.

Listen to your clients’ stories and learn about their lives as you unravel a mystery that touches every layer of Bukovie society, from the drunken dandies splashing cash on cocktails, to the crooked cops and seedy lowlifes who try to rope you into their shady schemes.

A good bartender knows the art of conversation is just as important as the ability to pour libations, so listen carefully and keep your wits about you as you delight, charm or even threaten your patrons to get the information you need. With a cast of 20 unique and engaging characters it’s up to you to choose who you can trust, who will have your back… and who will stab you in it!

Over the course of five cases, you’ll have to explore every clue and question every suspect to save lives… and save your business. It’s time to flip that sign to open, turn up the jazz and welcome your first customers of the night.

Bukovie may be a city in strife, with labour strikes, rationing, unrest and the shadow of war looming, but instead of cowering in fear, the citizens flock to dance halls and speakeasies. Crumbling grandeur might inspire melancholy, but that’s nothing a stiff drink won’t cure. In a world of dwindling light, your speakeasy is a bonfire in the night. Though the city may soon burn, cocktails are always… Best Served Cold.

Useful Links

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rogueside/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Rogueside
• Website: https://www.rogueside.com/
• X/Twitter: https://x.com/RoguesideGames
• Best Served Cold on Steam: Link

About Rogueside Games

Rogueside is an independent Belgian game developer on a mission to bring joy and excitement to players all over the world. Their team is made up of dedicated game enthusiasts who are passionate about crafting quality games that can be enjoyed by anyone. Whether it’s through quirky characters, breathtaking visuals, or puns galore, the studio is dedicated to crafting games that bring a smile to your face and leave you with a sense of joy and satisfaction.

Article by: Susan N.

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Lunar Remastered Collection – Xbox Review

Lunar Remastered Collection by developer and publisher GungHo—Microsoft Xbox Series X review written by Nick with a copy provided by the publisher.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

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Mind Training Puzzle Game Hook: Complete Edition Available on Consoles!

April 13th, 2025 | Hook: Complete Edition hits consoles. This is a set of two popular and highly rated puzzle games created by Maciej Targoni, an independent developer from Poland. The titles offer a combination of minimalist puzzles, intuitive rules and relaxing gameplay. The release date for Hook: Complete Edition, which includes Hook and Hook 2, for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch is set for April 10 this year. On Steam, the Hook series games have 97 percent positive reviews each.

The games in the Hook series were created by independent Polish developer Maciej Targoni, who also has other puzzle games to his credit (including klocki). On the Steam platform, both titles currently have up to 97 percent positive player reviews each. To date, more than 2 million people have played games in the series on PC and mobile devices. Ultimate Games S.A. is responsible for the development and release of Hook: Complete Edition on consoles.

Hook combines relaxation with mind training

Hook: Complete Edition includes two games - Hook and Hook 2. The concept behind Hook is based on simple and intuitive mechanics that aim to remove hooks in the right order. The mechanics used promote the exercise of problem-solving skills. The game's premise is easy to understand, but individual levels require more thought. Hook 2 is based on similar principles, which have been enriched with an additional dimension and new mechanics.

The visuals in Hook: Complete Edition features a minimalist style and subdued color scheme, which promotes concentration attention. Hook provides a relaxing atmosphere, and the player does not have to reckon with time pressure. The mood is also enhanced by calm ambient music.

Hook: Complete Edition – Main Features:

• simple and intuitive gameplay;
• relaxing mind training;
• minimalist graphics and ambient music;
• two games included;
• low price.

The release date for Hook: Complete Edition on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch consoles is set for April 10, 2025, with a standard price of $3.99/EUR or the equivalent amount in another currency.

Article by: Susan N.

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Memorable Music in Gaming - April Genre - Racing Games

This month we chose racing games. Now I know that some racing games used licensed music, but here are a couple with composers for the soundtracks of their games.

 

Nick: Mario Kart 64 - Kenta Nagata

Best known for his work in the overall Mario Kart franchise, Kenta Nagata got his start with the Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development department with a pair of Nintendo 64 titles: 1080° Snowboarding and Mario Kart 64. I was personally quite late to the SNES party, having gotten a SEGA Genesis well before the SNES came out, and didn’t play the original Mario Kart on that platform. My first exposure to the series was Mario Kart 64 (which along with Madden and Golden Eye were some of the most popular ‘party games’ my college buddies and I played on a regular basis. Mario Kart 64 was a fantastic blend of battle and racing games, complimented by accessible but deep gameplay, whimsical visuals and highly enjoyable sound effects and music.

Kenta Nagata found his talents put to use on a variety of well-known Nintendo titles such as Mario Kart 7 and 8, Super Mario 64, Phantom Hourglass and New Super Mario Bros. 2 in various capacities. But it is his first work, Mario Kart 64 where he was the Music Composer, I want to reflect on here. The music so often complimented the unique tracks, from the whimsey of Choco Mountain, to the deep and menacing sounds of Koopa Castle and the procession-heavy Donkey Jungle Park.

Of course, the most memorable for me is the longest, most visually impressive track Rainbow Road, which at just over five minutes in length is also the longest song on the track. This track felt like the ultimate one in the game, and something about this particular song has remained burned into my memory decades later.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Richard: Cruis’n USA - Vince Pontarelli

Now I’ll be the first to admit that racing games aren’t usually my forte. Sure I’ll find some of them fun, but more often than not they don’t really catch my interest the same as other genres do. Well, Cruis’n USA is one of the few exceptions to that, and the soundtrack is one of the main reasons why.

Back in the day, one of the first games I got for my N64 was Cruis’n USA. Before I knew whether or not I liked racing games, before I even had my own money, Cruis’n USA was probably the 2nd or 3rd game I ever owned on the N64, and boy did I play the hell out of it.

I’ve never been all that great at racing games. Consistently average, but that’s about it. I remember the good old days where I would have friends over for sleepovers and we would wake in the early morning, scamper downstairs to my basement where the TV was, and play Cruis’n USA at five in the morning, much to my parents’ chagrin. I fondly recall us skipping through the tracks while driving, some notable tracks being “House Special”, “Deadwood Drive”, and “Bluegrass Boogie”. 

To this day I’m still not a big racing game fan, but Cruis’n USA still holds a special place in my heart, and on my shelf, for a beloved childhood game, and Vince Pontarelli did a solid job of helping to make that happen. Pontarelli has also worked on some pretty big titles, such as NFL Blitz, Mortal Kombat titles, NBA Ballers, and WWE games. If you’ve got a chance to try out this retro classic, I’d actually suggest giving it a go. It’s from a time when there were no gimmicks, just straight driving!

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