This is absolutely brilliant news for anyone who loves the distinct challenge and aesthetic of classic handheld gaming. TigerChainsaw Studios has announced that the Kickstarter campaign for Maiden of the Dark—a brand new action-platformer designed for the original Game Boy—is launching soon!
This project is a must-watch for retro fans, as the entire goal is to fund a physical cartridge release for the original hardware.
Operation C meets heavy metal in rural Japan
Maiden of the Dark is steeped in the DNA of Game Boy classics like Operation C and Return of the Ninja. You are thrown into a fast-paced platforming challenge where mastering enemy patterns and perfecting your skills are essential across 10 dangerous levels—everything from spiked caves and rocky mountains to burning villages.
The setup is fantastic: the story unfolds in rural Japan, where a desperate village summons the Maiden of the Dark to fight the evil warlord Zankoku. The catch? She’s an ancient spirit bound by the night and only has 10 hours of darkness to defeat the army before sunrise strips her of her powers. Talk about a ticking clock!
Features include:
- The Heroine: The Maiden wields a katana that cuts through both men and demons.
- The Vibe: The atmosphere is driven by a custom heavy-metal-inspired soundtrack composed by Ryan “OGM” Scotson, promising a serious energy boost to the action.
Built by passionate retro fans for your Game Boy
The dedication of the four-person team at TigerChainsaw Studios is clear. They are focused on creating physical retro games for retro gamers, and they have the talent to back it up: RetroRoo on programming, PixelChunga on art, and TigerChainsaw himself on story and design.
The best part for collectors is the ambition: development is nearly complete, and the goal of the campaign is to secure manufacturing. With successful crowdfunding, the game will be produced on a cartridge compatible with multiple Game Boy systems, complete with a manual and a box. Production is expected to take only 60 days after the campaign, meaning this nostalgic dream could be in your hands very soon.
Keep an eye out for that Kickstarter launch—this looks like a truly high-quality addition to the Game Boy library!
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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.
