Back in 2024, acclaimed musical genius Yuzo Koshiro mentioned that his development studio, Ancient Corp (Streets of Rage, Beyond Oasis), was working on a brand-new 2D Shoot ’em up called Earthion. Inspired by legendary titles like Gradius and Thunderforce, this isn’t just another retro-style indie game; it’s being developed for the 16-bit Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. Yes, that Genesis. Why? To take full advantage of its iconic YM2612 sound chip, of course.
But don’t worry, Earthion isn’t just stuck in the past. The game is also coming to modern platforms, including PC and current-gen consoles, so everyone can get a taste of those glorious chiptunes and arcade-style gameplay.
We hadn’t heard much about the game outside of a brief appearance at PAX West, where I had the chance to go hands-on with the demo. Even though it was just a single stage, I was in bliss. The controls were tight, the visuals nailed the aesthetic, and the music — my god, the music — reminded me why I fell in love with this genre in the first place. It felt like something truly special.
What makes Earthion even more exciting is who’s behind it. Ancient Corp is a name I didn’t even realize was still active. Knowing that this project is in the hands of the same team that helped define classic 16-bit sound and design? That’s reason enough to pay attention.
As for the release, Earthion is currently slated for 2025. There’s no exact launch date yet, but with Limited Run Games helping with publishing, it’s safe to assume a physical release is also on the table — and you better believe I’ll be grabbing one.
For more information, be sure to check out the official Earthion website and keep your ears open for more news. And in the meantime, go listen to that announcement trailer. Seriously. Damn, those chiptunes slap.
Here’s some more info about Earthion.
- 8 Stages of arcade action with unique environments, enemies, and bosses
- Music and sound by Yuzo Koshiro
- 27 Original Tracks and countless sound effects
- Multiple difficulties and challenge mode
- Configurable scanlines and display settings for CRT emulation
- Level Password System
- Music Player Mode
- Includes bonus playable demos from the development of the game
- Online Leaderboards (not available for Genesis/Mega Drive editions of Earthion)
And if you want to see more of Earthion in action, check out the footage we recorded during PAX West 2024. Sadly, it’s the best we could do since direct capture wasn’t allowed and there was hardly any room in the booth.
