The Earth is stumbling through a portal back to the ’90s. That’s the only explanation for the awesome-looking 2D action games we’re getting, and Gunvolt is the latest evidence of this phenomenon.
Developer Inti Creates and Mega Man creator Keiji Inafune revealed today that they are officially releasing Azure Striker Gunvolt, a classic-style platforming shooter, for the 3DS. It will hit North America on Aug. 29 for $15. This is the first game that Inti Creates is publishing on its own. The studio has previously worked on Mega Man 9 and Mega Man 10, the Nintendo Entertainment System-style sequels to the beloved series. They are taking that experience to make something new yet familiar.
If the action of Gunvolt looks a bit like the Mega Man Zero or Mega Man ZX franchise, it’s because the Inti Creates team comprises a number of former Capcom developers who worked on those games.
Our fans spoke, and we listened — #Gunvolt's NA Aug. 29th release date is
as close to the Jpn release as possible (just abt 1 week later!)— INTI CREATES (@IntiCreatesEN) August 14, 2014
Inti Creates is also working with Inafune’s studio Comcept on his crowdfunded spiritual successor to Mega Man, Mighty No. 9. Inafune, who has had a long relationship with Inti, acted as executive producer on Gunvolt, and he provided guidance to the studio.
For those waiting to get their hands on Mighty No. 9, Gunvolt may act as an ideal appetizer
Inti is also releasing its new platformer in Japan on Aug. 20, and it has plans to localize it for several European territories. It has not set a timeline for release in those regions.
Gunvolt and Mighty No. 9 join the recently released Shovel Knight as evidence of a throwback trend in gaming. All are reminiscent of 8-bit and 16-bit eras of the 1980s and early 1990s.