Hey everyone,
It’s been a trip seeing ZPF out in the wild on original Genesis and Mega Drive hardware. While the game was born on retro consoles, we’ve been working hard behind the scenes to get it ready for modern platforms. We’ve been heads-down making sure this version isn't just a simple port, but a pixel-perfect translation of the 16-bit chaos the game is known for.
Today, we’re finally ready to call it: ZPF officially launches on Steam on April 16th!
To give you a taste of the madness coming your way, check out the new trailer below:
See the Knight, Gold, and Gladius handle the literal cosmic chaos we’ve packed into every level.
We know responsiveness is everything for a shooter like this. We’ve spent a lot of time obsessing over the "feel" of this version to make sure it’s just as snappy as the original hardware. No input lag, no floaty controls—just raw, arcade-speed intensity.
Wishlist & Spread the Word
If you haven't already, hitting that Wishlist button helps us out immensely as we approach launch day:
While we’re focused on the PC launch, ZPF will also be arriving on Nintendo Switch and Xbox on the same day (April 16th). Check them out on the links below:
What’s New in the Digital Edition?
We’ve worked hard to keep the 16-bit soul of ZPF intact while moving it to modern hardware. This version adds a few quality-of-life features to make the experience feel right at home on your PC.
🏆Achievements & Rewards
Hunting for 100%? We’ve got you. The Steam version supports full achievements from day one. Whether you’re a completionist or just looking for a reason to run through the gauntlet one more time, there’s plenty to unlock. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the challenges waiting for you:
🖥️ Optimized Visuals & Custom Frames
Pixel art should never be stretched. To keep the original arcade aspect ratio while making the most of your monitor, we’ve included two unique custom display frames. These help that "Future Metal Fantasy" aesthetic really pop without compromising the integer-scaled gameplay.
✨ A Note on Visual Preservation
To bring ZPF to a global audience with a Teen rating on modern consoles, we have tailored select visual elements for this digital release.
We want to be 100% transparent: while some pixels were shifted to meet rating board requirements, our team made every effort to preserve the edgy and alluring Future Metal Fantasy aesthetic of the original.
To avoid full spoilers here on Steam, you can view the side-by-side comparison of the “Queen of Coin” over on our Kickstarter update!
The gameplay? 100% untouched. The challenge? Relentless!
Information for Kickstarter Backers
If you’re one of the legends who supported our campaign and are waiting for your Steam key, we haven’t forgotten you! We’ll be starting the key rollout via BackerKit on launch day (April 16th).
We’ve posted a full breakdown of the key delivery process and timing over on our KICKSTARTER UPDATE.
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This project has been a massive labor of love for Gryzor, Mikael, and Jamie. We’re incredibly proud of the world they’ve built, and we can’t wait to see you all hunting down those achievements in a few weeks!
See you on April 16th!
— The ZPF Team & Mega Cat Studios 🚀🐾