This is Volgarr the Viking. It is not an 8bit or 16bit video game and despite the fact that Volgarr the Viking is still in development it is beautifully retro.
This game is paying tribute to many loved games from the 16bit gaming era. Crazy Viking Studios have taken a look back at some of their favorite video games and are currently busy crafting what is shaping up to be an unforgiving, finely tuned action packed platformer.
I found Volgarr the Viking when it was a kickstarter project and as a supporter I’ve been allowed access to pre-alpha builds and I know first hand how good this game already is. Even before it hit the alpha stage of development the mechanics for Volgarr were excellent. Using a Logitech F310 Gamepad I felt entirely in control. Walking, jumping, double jumping, sword swings, spear throws, blocking, dodge roll, downward stab and powered up attacks are all easy to execute and important to master. When I died (and I have failed Volgarr a lot) it felt like my fault and not poor mechanics or bad hit detection or sloppy design. Each time I died I knew I could do better the next time.
Does anyone remember Super Ghouls & Ghosts, Rastan and Castle Vania? Of course you do and so do the developers from Crazy Viking Studios. These three games are where they are drawing a lot of their inspiration from. I say inspiration because Volgarr the Viking really does feel like a labor of love.
The following game play is the first video that Crazy Viking Studios have allowed to be shared to the public. This recording was made by Nintendoingit, another Kickstarter Supporter for Volgarr. This was not made for marketing it is just a gamer enjoying Volgarr the Viking.
While this Kickstarter project was running anyone could have pledged $10 to receive a copy of Volgarr the Viking when it’s complete. And I’m sure at release you’ll still be able to get it for a similar price. Which I personally feel is wildly inexpensive for such a great game. But I didn’t spend $10… as if personally tailored to me the Sega Dude, Crazy Viking Studios offered a Sega Genesis mock-up case, cart and manual of Volgarr the Viking. So even though this mock-up will look like a complete Genesis game it will never be able to play on any Genesis or Mega Drive. But even still I could not resist and I have backed this project for $150. And when my mock-up Genesis game arrives it will be going into the collection. Below is an early example of what they had in mind:
Volgarr the Viking Genesis Style Case Demo
Volgarr the Viking Cart and Manual Demo
Volgarr the Viking has an estimate release date set for February 2013.
Retro Megabit 
As usual, great post. I missed the KS campaign,but this is one I intend to grab when it’s out. Too bad about that cart not working, but that’s a damn cool case! It would have been nice to see them have it produced so it could flip open and have a USB stick inside with the soundtrack and some wallpaper on it or something like that. Hey, speaking of retro stuff – have you tried out Retro City Rampage yet? It’ll make you laugh yourself silly AND the guy who made it mocked up a downloadable fake Master System cover art that’s hilarious because it looks like it’s straight out of 1988!
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geelw I love that mocked up Sega Master System case for Retro City Rampage!
I watched an interview with the creator of this game and he said he built it with all the limitation of the NES. So it surprised me that he chose to create a game case of his game for the Sega Master System. Regardless a cool looking game that I might end up getting and some good fun extras. Thanks for letting me know about this one 🙂
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Ah, you missed my RCR review? You’ll LOVE the game because of all the hidden and not so hidden secrets all over the place:
http://fanboydestroy.com/2012/12/09/review-retro-city-rampage/
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geelw “It would have been nice to see them have it produced so it could flip open and have a USB stick inside with the soundtrack and some wallpaper on it or something like that.” It does do… exactly that. 🙂
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Nice! Great minds think alike, it seems (well, I need to return my rental great mind after this weekend). Hmmmm. Well, now it’s 200% cooler!
I know dealing with some big dumb corporate game companies is a total pain in the neck (no names here), but is there any chance of a Vita or other sort of console (so much for the no names part, huh?) port one of these days? I’d buy that in a heartbeat just to make people ask “what the heck it that?!” on the subway…
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Hey geelw,
I know Crazy Viking Studios has had requests to port Volgarr the Viking for the Ouya and I believe they are considering it. I think that would be a huge boon for Ouya. But I know that wont solve your portable needs but here’s hoping they can get it out on as many systems as possible. I really believe there are a lot of old and new gamers out there who will really enjoy this game!
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Hey Kristofor!
Thanks for stopping by. How did you find this post so fast? You must be connected to the Internet Neo style.
I was going to reply to geelw that I would be getting Volgarr the Viking on a funky USB stick as well. But I’m very happy you were around to offer some details. Thank you.
I’m very excited for Volgarr the Viking to be released. I’ve had so much fun playing just one single unfinished level 🙂
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I have spies, under your bed.
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LOL Come February I’m going to check under my bed for my faux PC-Dive 16 game and USB Drive.
We’ll see how Ninja you are then 🙂
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Good thing I keep a big portfolio of old artwork and some hungry dust bunnies under my bed. I love gifts and surprises, but perhaps a developer wormhole under there is a wee bit too much…
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its going to be summer now….damn
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