Every now and then, a licence comes along that just makes sense for a retro-style game — and apparently, one of those perfect fits is the blood-soaked chaos of the Terrifier films.
Terrifier: The ARTcade Game is out now on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S, putting players in the oversized shoes of Art the Clown as he tears through film sets in a gleefully violent 2D beat ‘em up.
16-bit pixel art
The whole thing is drenched in 16-bit nostalgia, with colourful pixel art that somehow manages to be both grim and cartoonishly fun. It looks like the kind of side-scroller you might’ve rented in the 90s, only your parents definitely wouldn’t have approved of this one. It’s knowingly ridiculous — and that’s exactly the appeal.
You can team up with friends in four-player local co-op, which sounds like the ideal setup for shouting, laughing, and maybe arguing over who gets the chainsaw next. Different stages, branching routes, and boss fights promise a solid chunk of arcade-style variety, while the finishers are… well, let’s say “memorable.” Art is not a subtle character.
Backing all the carnage is a chiptune soundtrack featuring a main theme by Cody Carpenter — yes, son of John Carpenter — which honestly feels like the perfect horror-retro crossover.
Physical editions are available in Europe already, with North America getting copies from December 19th — proof that even slashers need logistics.
I can’t pretend the Terrifier films are my usual Friday-night comfort viewing, but the game itself looks like a blast — unashamedly retro, knowingly tasteless, and so over the top that it loops right back around to being entertaining. If you enjoy old-school brawlers and don’t mind a bit (or a lot) of pixelated gore, this might be one worth investigating… preferably with the lights on.
Go forth and clown responsibly. You can grabTerrifier: The ARTcade Game now on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S! Meanwhile, physical standard and collector’s editions for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S are available now in Europe and will come to North America on December 19th.
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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.
