Retro shooter fans, strap in: ZPF, the surreal Sega Genesis/Mega Drive shoot-’em-up that melted minds during its demo run earlier this year, is officially launching its physical edition next week.
Publisher Mega Cat Studios has confirmed that the game will land on the Mega Cat Studios online store on November 20, 2025, with digital versions set to follow on Steam, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox in early 2026.
We covered the excellent Steam Next Fest demo back in the summer, and the game is now coming in physical formats.
A surreal shooter with 3 editions for collectors
Mega Cat Studios is releasing ZPF in three physical formats:
- Standard edition CIB ($59.99) – cartridge, clamshell case, and manual
- Limited edition CIB ($150.00) – includes a custom laser-etched cartridge
- Cart-only ($49.99) – for players who just want the raw 16-bit action
The studio describes ZPF as a “fever dream-inducing” shmup, and honestly, that tracks. Expect surreal sci-fi, horror, and fantasy landscapes, all dripping with colour and weirdness.
Screen-filling bosses and bold scoring
Developed by ZPF Team, the game draws inspiration from Lords of Thunder, Elemental Master, and the Thunder Force series. Players choose from three unique characters, mastering distinct play styles while battling through six-plus levels of escalating chaos.
Key features include:
- Battles against towering screen-filling bosses
- A scoring system that rewards risky, aggressive play
- 6-plus stages of intense, surreal shmup action
- A pulsing chiptune soundtrack powering the mayhem
“The release of ZPF marks a meaningful milestone for the three-letter game title community,” said James Deighan, CEO of Mega Cat Studios. “It’s the result of ambitious ideas, careful craftsmanship, and a team that never shies away from pushing boundaries on the Mega Drive with the ZPF team. We’re excited to finally share it with the world.”
This is a title that has been building up the buzz since it first launched on Kickstarter and made its target in July 2024. Even despite the delays, ZPF has managed to keep up momentum.
Heading to consoles and PC in early 2026
While Genesis collectors get their hands on the game first, a wider digital release is planned for early next year. Given how wild the demo already was, this should be one to keep firmly on your radar—whether you’re into real hardware or modern systems.
Head to the Mega Cat Studios website to subscribe for updates ahead of the game’s physical release on November 20th, 2025.
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Christian Cawley is the founder and editor of GamingRetro.co.uk, a website dedicated to classic and retro gaming. With over 20 years of experience writing for technology and gaming publications, he brings considerable expertise and a lifelong passion for interactive entertainment, particularly games from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras.
Christian has written for leading outlets including TechRadar, Computer Weekly, Linux Format, and MakeUseOf, where he also served as Deputy Editor.
When he’s not exploring vintage consoles or retro PCs, Christian enjoys building with LEGO, playing cigar box guitar, and experimenting in the kitchen.
