By the Power of Grayskull: He‐Man’s Retro Side‐Scroller Roars onto Switch in 2026

Fun Fact: The first Battlefield game (1942) was created by a mere 14 people—tiny compared to today's massive development teams.

In today’s email:

• By the Power of Grayskull: He‑Man’s Retro Side‑Scroller Roars onto Switch in 2026

• Shenmue III Enhanced Finally Lands on Nintendo—Get Ready to Relive the Journey

• Platypus Reclayed: Claymation Shooter Makes Nostalgic Splash

By the Power of Grayskull: He‑Man’s Retro Side‑Scroller Roars onto Switch in 2026

A Retro Revival That Hits All the Right Buttons

Ever Dreamt of Saving Eternia in Pure Pixel Glory?

You’re not alone. Growing up, many of us imagined loading up the classic He‑Man cartoon, grip the controller, and become the hero. Well, your nostalgia’s about to be rewarded: Limited Run Games and Mattel have teamed up with Bitmap Bureau to deliver a brand-new pixel art side‑scrolling brawler for Nintendo Switch (and other platforms), slated for 2026. Meet He‑Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction.

He-Man’s Gaming Legacy—Then and Now

Launches like Dragon Pearl of Destruction are rare gems. Earlier He‑Man games leaned into the action-platformer or beat‑’em‑up style, but none nailed that classic ’80s arcadey vibe quite like this one promises. With Mattel’s roots in toy and entertainment, and this being one of their most dedicated forays into digital gaming, it truly feels like a love letter to fans.

Meet the Retro Dream Team Behind the Game

Limited Run Games is known for premium physical editions and delivering digital nostalgia with collector flair—making them an ideal partner here.
Meanwhile, Bitmap Bureau, a UK-based studio, specializes in crafting high-quality 16-bit style games that work on both modern consoles and vintage hardware. Their pixel artistry is backed by decades of experience, including veteran artists who worked on classics like Contra and Spyro.

Game Highlights—What We Know So Far

Here’s the scoop:

• 12 action-packed levels, pitting characters like He‑Man, Teela, Man‑At‑Arms against villains like Skeletor and Evil‑Lyn.

• Co‑op support, letting players team up across the screen.

• Pixel-art visuals with detailed sprites and retro arcade vibes. Battle Cat (Cringer’s heroic form) even joins the fray—with claws unsheathed!

• Physical and digital releases, with pre-orders opening early 2026.

Why This Game Matters to Retro Gamers

This isn’t just another licensed retro revival—it’s the retro revival. It’s tapping into the core of what we love: pixel charm, action-packed brawls, and sheer 80s energy. Mattel’s marketing is clear: “a love letter to those who grew up with He‑Man,” balancing nostalgia and modern gameplay fluidity. It doesn’t just preserve nostalgia—it reinvents it.

He-Man’s 2026 revival is shaping up to be the retro gaming headline of the year. Nostalgia meets high-def pixel art in a way that only Limited Run, Mattel, and Bitmap Bureau could deliver.

Shenmue III Enhanced Finally Lands on Nintendo—Get Ready to Relive the Journey

Guess what? At Gamescom 2025, Yu Suzuki and ININ Games dropped a delightful surprise: Shenmue III Enhanced is officially confirmed for Nintendo platforms! That’s right—this cult-classic sequel is coming home to Nintendo hardware, with the details still shaking out between the original Switch and the next-gen Switch 2.

What’s in the Enhanced Edition?

Here’s where things get juicy for both nostalgia nuts and newcomers alike:

• 4K Textures & Sharper Visuals: Expect Ryo’s journey through Guilin in stunning clarity—every bamboo leaf and NPC face gets a glow-up.

• Smoother Gameplay & Performance: Faster load times, better frame rates, and stability—say goodbye to slowdowns.

• DLSS & FSR Support: AI magic for sharper images without sacrificing speed on supported platforms.

• More NPCs & Livelier World: Niaowu’s alleys feel genuinely alive, packed with street vendors and wandering locals.

• Quality‑of‑Life Enhancements: Skip cutscenes or dialogues, toggle a Classic Camera for that Dreamcast vibe, tweak health or stamina, and breeze through shops with revamped UI.

Why It Matters to Retro Fans

Remember how you first felt loaded into Shenmue on Dreamcast? That blend of curiosity and calm still lingers—and this Enhanced Edition is like rediscovering that world with fresh eyes. If you survived Ryo’s quest for vengeance and love its pace, rooted in interaction and atmosphere, this upgrade stays true to the soul of Shenmue while modernizing it.

It’s not just a remaster—it’s a platform debut. This is the first time the Shenmue series will appear on a Nintendo console. Whether that’s the Switch you can fit in your backpack or the next-gen hardware we’re still speculating about, retro gaming just got a fresh front door.

What’s Still TBD

• Which Nintendo consoles? We don't yet know if the original Switch will be officially supported—but rumors hint Switch 2 might be the likely candidate.

• Release Window & Upgrade Path: No date drops yet, and while original PS4/PC owners will likely get an upgrade option, the details are inbound soon.

Why Debugging Ryo Still Feels Fresh

You might ask, “Why replay a cutscene-laden Y2K-style open-world again?” Because Shenmue isn’t about tight controls. It’s about atmospheric immersion, luring players into its living world. And with these enhancements, that immersion is thicker and sharper—but to Shenmue veterans, it’ll still feel familiar. This version respects the slow burn, rewarding patience and exploration.

Platypus Reclayed: Claymation Shooter Makes Nostalgic Splash

Grab your virtual clay guns: Claymatic Games has officially reimagined the beloved cult classic Platypus—the remake is called Platypus Reclayed, and it’s launching on September 18, 2025 for PC, Mac, PlayStation 4 & 5, Xbox One & Series, and Nintendo Switch.

A Claymation Comeback Like No Other

Originally released in 2002, Platypus distinguished itself with hand-crafted clay visuals, tight shmup gameplay, and indie charm—long before indie games were a thing. Now, over two decades later, Claymatic Games—helmed by original creator Anthony Flack—is giving it the ultimate overhaul.

What’s New in Platypus Reclayed?

• Built from scratch: This isn’t a remaster, but a full revamp, rebuilt with brand-new clay models and filmed in crisp 4K‑widescreen.

• Expanded gameplay: Remix levels, a brand-new stage, extra weapons, adjustable difficulty, and a permadeath Score Attack mode will put your skills to the test.

• Multiplayer fun: Drop-in two-player simultaneous co-op lets you share the mayhem with a friend.

• Sound overhaul: The original soundtrack is back with high-quality remixed tunes from C64audio.

• Modder-friendly design: The game welcomes community creativity with integrated mod support.

• Bonus: A demo is already available on Steam via Steam Next Fest.

Why It Resonates with Retro Gamers

Why tune into a claymation shooter again? Because Platypus captured something special: pure, accessible fun with character—from the tactile look of its clay ships to the satisfying gameplay loops. Reclayed retains that old-school charm but enriches it with modern polish. Whether you grew up couch-coop blasting or missed the indie wave entirely, this remake offers both nostalgia and freshness.

What Fans Are Saying

Community excitement is bubbling over:

On Claymatic's X (formerly Twitter), fans also wonder if the visuals are real claymation (they are) and dig deeper via behind-the-scenes posts. These reactions sum up why this project is resonating—the community connection feels real, just like the clay.

Still Undisclosed…

A few mystery pieces remain: We’re still waiting on details like pre-order pricing, upgrade paths for existing players, and any bundle or collector info. But with less than one month to launch, it won’t be long before we have those answers.

Final Thoughts — Ready for Takeoff?

So, why wait? Wishlist Platypus Reclayed on Steam, circle September 18, and prepare for clay-powered shooter bliss. Whether you’re chasing high scores or a nostalgia fix, this one-button shmup is designed to delight from minute one.

We hope you tune back in for our next issue, where we'll dive deep into more retro gaming news!