ZPF Digital Launch Date & Official Trailer
8 days ago
– Thu, Mar 26, 2026 at 04:53:54 AM
Hey backers!
It’s been a while since the first ZPF cartridges started landing in the wild, and we’ve loved seeing the game finally out there on the Genesis and Mega Drive. But while original hardware is the heart of ZPF, we’re finally ready to bring that experience to modern screens.
Today, we have the official word on the digital launch you've been waiting for.
Launch Date: April 16th!
Get your controllers ready. ZPF is officially launching on Steam, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox on April 16th!
Check out Knight, Gold, and Gladius handle the literal cosmic chaos we’ve packed into every level!
We’ve spent a lot of time ensuring that the transition to modern hardware feels perfect—maintaining that lightning-fast, 16-bit arcade responsiveness while making sure the surreal visuals pop on your modern screens. Whether you’re looking to hunt down every Steam achievement or take the chaos on the go with your Switch, the wait is almost over.
Check out the store pages and wishlist the game here:
Share the news with your friends, and let everyone know that the definitive 16-bit shooter experience is arriving on April 16th!
A Note for Digital Reward Backers
For those of you who have a Steam Key as part of your rewards, we’ll be starting the rollout via BackerKit on launch day.
Our goal is to get you as close to the game going live as possible, but since we have to process these in batches, please give the system a bit of breathing room to hit your inbox throughout the day. We will be putting out a separate update closer to launch to walk you through the download process and make sure everyone is ready for the action!
What’s New in the Digital Edition?
While we’ve worked hard to keep the 16-bit soul of ZPF intact, we’ve also added several modern features to make this the best way to play on modern hardware.
🏆Achievements & Rewards
Get ready to hunt! The digital version officially supports full achievements on Steam and Xbox. Whether you’re a completionist or just looking for a new challenge, there’s plenty to unlock. Here’s a first look at some of the challenges waiting for you.
🖥️ Optimized Visuals & Custom Frames
To fill modern monitor sizing without stretching the pixel art, we’ve included two unique custom display frames. These let the "Future Metal Fantasy" aesthetic pop while maintaining the original arcade aspect ratio.
✨ 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.
Spoilers ahead! We’ve decided to show a side-by-side comparison of the “Queen of Coin” to show you exactly what we mean.
The gameplay? 100% untouched. The challenge? Relentless!
This project has been a massive labor of love for Gryzor, Mikael, and Jamie. We’re so proud of what they’ve built, and we can’t wait for a whole new wave of players to jump into the chaos.
As always, if you have any questions about your rewards or need a hand with anything, shoot an email to [email protected].
— The ZPF Team & Mega Cat Studios 🚀🐾
ZPF Physical Launch Day! The 16-Bit Mayhem Begins NOW! 🕹️
4 months ago
– Thu, Nov 20, 2025 at 07:09:17 AM
The day is finally here! We are beyond excited to announce that the ZPF physical edition for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive is officially launching for the general public/retail market TODAY, November 20th
If you're ready for high-octane gameplay that pulls intense sci-fi, horror, and fantasy elements into one aggressive horizontal shoot 'em up, your console is about to get a serious upgrade.
Your Cartridge Awaits
You can now grab your copy and choose the perfect fit for your retro collection:
Standard Complete in Box: The classic 16-bit gameplay experience.
Cart Only: Minimalist, pure retro action for your console collection.
Limited Edition Complete in Box: Exclusive extras and a collector’s dream.
We want to make sure there is absolute clarity regarding this launch. Today's event is the official retail market release, making the physical editions available to the general public who may have missed our initial campaign.
We are proud to have already completed fulfillment for our dedicated Kickstarter backers! This retail launch is separate from the backer copies you have already received. Your initial, unwavering support is what brought ZPF from concept to cartridge, and we are thrilled that you already have your game. Now, we're opening the gate for everyone else!
Digital Launch Update
We know how much anticipation there is for ZPF on modern platforms. We must reiterate the update we shared last week regarding the digital timeline: the releases for Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation are now scheduled to deploy in Q1 2026.
We understand that extending this wait is challenging, and we are sincerely sorry for the delay. However, our mission is crystal clear: to deliver an experience that is nothing less than flawless. We are dedicating every moment to refine every frame, perfect the feel of every blast, and ensure the bosses are as challenging and rewarding as you deserve. This is a true investment to make the ultimate, definitive thrill.
We can’t wait to see you mastering every stage and dodging every laser!
With gratitude, Gryzor, Jamie, Mikael, and the Mega Cat Studios Team 🐱
ZPF Unleashed: Physical Edition Arrives November 20th! 🚀
5 months ago
– Thu, Nov 13, 2025 at 09:15:34 AM
Prepare to enter a world where fantasy, sci-fi, and horror collide. ZPF, the horizontal shoot ‘em up (SHMUP) adventure for Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, is officially launching its physical edition on November 20th!
Arcade thrills, pulse-pounding action, and hidden secrets await every brave player.
Choose Your Cartridge! 🕹️
Take control of your adventure and select your edition:
Standard Complete in Box: The classic 16-bit gameplay experience.
Cart Only: Minimalist, pure retro action for your console collection.
Limited Edition Complete in Box: Exclusive extras and a collector’s dream.
Gear up for relentless action and conquer the 16-bit chaos of ZPF.
Digital Launch Update 🛰️
We are so proud that the physical edition will be taking flight this November. However, in the spirit of complete transparency and commitment to quality, we must update the timeline for our digital ports. The releases for Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation are now scheduled to deploy in Q1 2026.
We know this extended wait may be challenging, but our team’s mission is now more focused than ever: to deliver a flawless experience. We are dedicating the necessary time to refine every frame, perfect the feel of every blast, and ensure the bosses are as challenging and rewarding as they deserve to be.
This is a sincere investment in the ultimate player experience. We are working tirelessly to ensure the digital release is not just an arrival, but an epic, definitive thrill.
Your support has fueled this mission from concept to cartridge. We can’t wait to see you mastering every stage, dodging lasers, and uncovering every secret the 16-bit world holds.
With gratitude, Gryzor, Jamie, Mikael, and the Mega Cat Studios Team 🐱
A Major ZPF Milestone + Digital Bundles & BIG News!
10 months ago
– Mon, Jun 16, 2025 at 02:05:34 PM
Hey backers,
Wow, what an exciting time to be a retro game fan! We're so energized by all the amazing things happening in the community, and today we get to share a couple of things that have us personally buzzing—starting with a huge update for ZPF.
The Last Packages Are On Their Way!
Kicking things off with some massive news on the ZPF front: the final batch of physical rewards has officially been picked up from Mega Cat Studios HQ today!
This is a huge milestone for the project. It means the last of the packages are now in the mail system, making their way to you. We absolutely cannot thank you enough for your patience throughout this entire process. Please keep an eye on your tracking numbers!
Your ZPF Digital Bundle is Ready for Download!
With the physical rewards en route, it's the perfect time to dive into the digital goodies! The complete ZPF Digital Bundle (which includes the PDF artbook, PDF manual, and soundtrack) is now available for all eligible backers. The bundles are available for download via your BackerKit – download link which will be sent out soon by our team!
If you have any trouble accessing your files, please don't hesitate to reach out to [email protected].
Spotlight: Mikael Tillander’s HEAVY RECOIL! 🔫💥
Working on ZPF gave us the chance to collaborate with the ridiculously talented Mikael Tillander. He’s a machine, and we were blown away to learn that while contributing to ZPF, he was also creating his own incredible solo project for the Sega Genesis: Heavy Recoil!
This game is pure, unfiltered arcade chaos in the best way possible. It's a "run and gun" that feels like the glorious lovechild of Contra and GunForce, and it's brutally fun.
The Kickstarter for Heavy Recoil is live right now. Go check it out and support a developer who is at the top of his game!
Spotlight: The Final 48 Hours for Echoes of the Unread! 📖🎶
Speaking of awesome projects, we also have to give a huge shout-out to our other big campaign that's in a nail-biting race against the clock!
Our enchanting NES platformer adventure, Echoes of the Unread, is in its FINAL 48 HOURS on Kickstarter!
You play as Rhapsody, who falls asleep in a library only to awaken in a world where the books themselves have burst to life! She has to use her magical singing voice to solve puzzles and journey through whimsical worlds pulled from every book genre, from spooky graveyards to galloping Westerns. This is your absolute last chance to jump in and grab the Kickstarter-exclusive rewards. Don't miss out!
What a ride! Thank you again for making ZPF a reality and for being part of this incredible community.
- Mega Cat Studios 🐾
Fulfillment & Tracking News, Digital Rewards, and Steam Port update!
10 months ago
– Wed, Jun 11, 2025 at 03:17:55 PM
Hey Backers,
Before we dive into the latest logistics update, we need to take a moment and express our sincere gratitude. When we had to announce the fulfillment delay due to the power outages at Mega Cat Studios HQ, we were bracing for understandable frustration. Instead, we were met with an overwhelming wave of support and understanding from you all.
Thank you, truly. Your positive feedback and encouragement meant the world to our team during a challenging week and motivated us to push even harder.
Now, for the news you’ve been waiting for!
Fulfillment and Tracking is in Full Swing!
We are happy to report we are deep into the fulfillment process! We are on track to have all remaining orders packed and handed off to the shipping carrier by early next week.
⬆️⬆️ Check out this sped-up peek at the hard work happening here in Mega Cat Studios HQ as we get your ZPF packages ready for their journey!
A crucial heads-up regarding tracking information: BackerKit only allows us to send all tracking numbers in a single email blast. This means you might receive a tracking number even if your order's status is still "Pre-Shipment." Please know that a "Pre-Shipment" status simply means your shipping label has been created while our team is still in the process of packing and preparing your order. It has not been handed over to the carrier yet. The tracking will only begin to update once your package is fully prepared, handed off to the carrier, and scanned into their system.
Think your copy is in here? 😉 This huge wave of ZPF rewards was prepared yesterday and was just picked up by the carrier. We're so excited for you to get them!
The Finish Line is in Sight!
We will post another official update the moment the very last package has been shipped. That future update will also contain clear, step-by-step instructions on how to access and download all of your Digital Rewards.
As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to [email protected], and he'll be happy to assist you.
Steam Port Status
We haven't forgotten about our PC players! For those asking about the Steam version of ZPF, development is proceeding. While our primary focus at this very moment is completing the physical fulfillment for all our incredible backers, work on the port is happening in the background. We don't have a firm release date to share just yet, but we will provide a more concrete timeline as soon as we can.
Thank you for your understanding and your patience. We'll be back with that 'All Shipped' update before you know it!
