One of the Bitmap Brothers’ most iconic creations is back in the spotlight, as Speedball prepares to leave Steam Early Access and make the jump to modern consoles.
Rebellion has confirmed that Speedball will officially launch on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 on January 27, bringing the revived future sport out of Early Access following its initial PC debut in October 2024.
From Bitmap Brothers classic to modern revival
First released back in 1988, Speedball was one of the Bitmap Brothers’ most distinctive games, blending futuristic sport with a level of aggression that felt genuinely shocking at the time. Set in the grim future of 2138, the sport exists as violent entertainment for a downtrodden population, with cybernetically enhanced teams smashing into each other at speeds no human game could allow.
If you know the original version of the movie Rollerball, this was the closest thing around.
For many players, though, it was Speedball 2: Brutal Deluxe that truly defined the series. That was certainly the case for me – it was a regular fixture in Amiga multiplayer sessions, a game that could instantly turn competitive, loud, and slightly chaotic. It’s the version most people remember, and for good reason.
More recently, Speedball 2 resurfaced on the first Evercade Bitmap Brothers Collection, which – if memory serves – was based on the Sega Mega Drive version rather than the original Amiga release. A reminder that Speedball has already lived several different lives across platforms.
Ice cream, ice cream!
Rebellion’s revival keeps the series’ brutal identity firmly intact. Matches are fast, explosive and unpredictable, demanding high-speed passing, accurate shooting and coordinated team play. It’s still a sport where raw force matters, but tactics and timing are just as important.
The modern Speedball mixes arcade-style matches with sports management elements, allowing players to build teams around individual traits and talents. There’s support for AI matches, online play and local multiplayer, while the slow-motion Slam Cam highlights the most vicious tackles in suitably dramatic fashion.
A lot has changed since Early Access
Since launching into Early Access in October 2024, Rebellion has made sweeping changes to the game. The full release introduces a League Mode, pitting 10 teams against each other across a season, alongside a new tutorial system designed to ease newcomers in.
Visuals and mechanics have also been heavily refined. High-impact collisions now feature upgraded VFX, shooting has been improved for better shot placement, and core systems such as speed, goalkeeping and AI behaviour have been reworked. Eight new arenas have been added, including more punishing “Brutal” variants packed with dynamic traps like flamethrowers, ice shotguns and grind rails.
New armour sets and colour styles help give teams a stronger identity, rounding out what sounds like a very different game from its Early Access debut.
Back in the arena at last!
Speedball’s return is an intriguing one, as it isn’t a straight remake of the Amiga original, nor an attempt to simply recreate Speedball 2, but something that looks midway between those games, Rocket League, and FIFA.
Whether your memories involve battered Competition Pros and heated sofa multiplayer, or you’re discovering Speedball for the first time, January 27 marks the moment this brutal future sport properly steps back into the arena. Will it have the same vibe as the retro original? Well, that’s for you to decide, really.
Speedball will launch on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 and leave Steam Early Access on January 27th. Check the Rebellion website for store links.
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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.
