TECHMASH

Tag: #Acclaim

  • Ground Zero Hero: Mutant Madness Comes to Steam with New Free Demo

    Ground Zero Hero: Mutant Madness Comes to Steam with New Free Demo

    The “Survivors-like” genre is getting a shot of radioactive adrenaline. Acclaim, Inc. and Australian solo developer Rowan Edmondson have officially unleashed a free Steam demo for Ground Zero Hero, their upcoming horde survival action roguelike that looks like a Saturday morning cartoon had a run-in with a nuclear meltdown.

    If you’ve been looking for your next “one-more-run” obsession, here is why you need to clear some space on your SSD.

    Chaos in the Doomsday Desert

    The demo drops players straight into the Doomsday Desert, the game’s first wasteland biome. It’s a neon-soaked, post-apocalyptic playground where the goal is simple: survive the encroaching hordes of mutants, pummel piñatas (yes, really), and consume enough candy and irradiated guts to evolve.

    While the full game promises a massive arsenal of powers, the demo is surprisingly generous:

    • 14 Mutations Available: Experiment with over 70% of the game’s total mutation pool (14 out of 19).
    • “Bonkers” Forms: Every mutation in the demo features a rare, high-powered “Bonkers” evolution to discover.
    • Progress Carries Over: Any progress you make, including unlocks and upgrades, will transfer directly to the full game when it launches.

    90s Aesthetic Meets Modern Mayhem

    Developer Rowan Edmondson has infused the game with a distinct hand-drawn art style inspired by 90s classics like The Simpsons, blended with the chaotic energy of Rick and Morty.

    Underneath the vibrant visuals is a deep roguelike loop. You aren’t just shooting; you’re managing your genetic makeup. One moment you might be a standard survivor; the next, you’ve sprouted tentacles or given birth to a man in a chicken suit (one of the game’s more… eccentric features).

    “I worked hard on this nonsense,” says Edmondson.

    The Return of Acclaim

    For veteran gamers, the Acclaim name carries a lot of weight. After its storied history with franchises like Mortal Kombat and Turok, the modern revival of the brand is focusing on high-quality indie partnerships. Ground Zero Hero is a flagship example of this new direction—supporting solo creators with big, bold ideas.

    Key Game Features

    FeatureDetails
    GenreHorde Survival / Action Roguelike
    DeveloperRowan Edmondson (Australia)
    PublisherAcclaim, Inc.
    PlatformsPC (Steam), PS4/5, Xbox One/Series X|S, Switch, Switch 2
    Release WindowSummer 2026

    How to Play

    The Ground Zero Hero demo is available to download now on the Steam Store.

    Whether you’re in it for the tactical mutation builds or just want to see how many mutants you can melt with a “bonkers” power-up, it’s a perfect taste of the mayhem coming this summer.

    Are you ready to embrace the mutation, or will you end up as just another snack in the wasteland? Let us know your favourite mutation combos in the comments!

    Find out more here – https://s.team/a/2570580

    #GroundZeroHero #Acclaim #RowanEdmondson #Steam #demogame #horde #survival #action #roguelike #videogames #gamers #gaming

  • Nothing But Net: Basketball Classics Slam Dunks Onto Consoles Today!

    Nothing But Net: Basketball Classics Slam Dunks Onto Consoles Today!

    Retro hoops fans, lace up your high-tops. Acclaim and indie developer Namo Gamo have officially announced that the cult-favorite Basketball Classics is available digitally on modern consoles starting today, March 19, 2026.

    After carving out a dedicated following on PC since 2019, this “love letter to the golden era of sports games” is finally bringing its 8-bit charm to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.

    A Retro Experience with Modern Depth

    If you grew up on the simplified, sweaty arcade action of the late 80s and early 90s, Basketball Classics will feel like coming home. But don’t let the charming pixel art fool you—there’s a serious tactical engine under the hood.

    Pick-Up-and-Play: A streamlined three-button control scheme makes it accessible for anyone to jump in and start draining threes.

    Deep Strategy: Unlike pure arcade titles, you can pause mid-game to call plays, set screens, or run a pick-and-roll.

    Massive Rosters: The game features over 1,000 players across 175+ teams spanning decades of basketball history.

    No Microtransactions: In a refreshing break from modern sports sims, there is zero virtual currency and no pay-to-win mechanics. Just pure hoops.

    The Acclaim Comeback

    This release marks another win for the “new” Acclaim, which has reinvented itself as a champion for talented indie creators. By bringing Namo Gamo’s passion project to a wider audience, they are filling a specific gap in the market: games that sit perfectly between complex simulations and shallow arcade titles.

    “This has been a childhood dream of ours,” said David Pilkington, co-founder of Namo Gamo. “Now, almost a decade in the making, Basketball Classics will be available to new users on consoles worldwide.”

    What’s Next for the Series?

    The timing of this launch isn’t accidental. This console debut serves as the perfect warm-up for Super Basketball Classics, a newly announced sequel featuring the legendary Harlem Globetrotters, which is slated to tip off later this year.

    Basketball Classics is available now on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Marketplace, and Nintendo eShop for £8.39 / $9.99. If you’re looking for some “scream-inducing” local multiplayer for your next couch session, this is the one.

    Find out more here on Steam – https://bit.ly/bball_yt

    #Acclaim #NamoGamo #BasketballClassics #consoles #sports #gameupdate #games #gaming #gamers #platformer #gameplay #demogame #videogames #arcadegames

  • He Shoots, He Scores! Acclaim Announces “Super Basketball Classics” Featuring the Harlem Globetrotters

    He Shoots, He Scores! Acclaim Announces “Super Basketball Classics” Featuring the Harlem Globetrotters

    The wizards of the hardwood are heading to your consoles! Acclaim Entertainment has officially revealed Super Basketball Classics Featuring the World-Famous Harlem Globetrotters, a retro-inspired hoops title that promises to bring the flair, comedy, and legendary skill of the Globetrotters to the gaming world.

    Timed perfectly for the team’s historic 100th anniversary season in 2026, this isn’t your standard, ultra-serious sports simulation. Instead, Acclaim is leaning into the pure spectacle that has made the Globetrotters a household name for a century.

    Retro Soul, Modern Swagger

    Developed by Namo Gamo (the team behind the original Basketball Classics), the game serves as a love letter to the 8-bit and 16-bit era of arcade sports. Think NBA Jam energy mixed with crisp, modern pixel art and rotoscoped-style animation filters.

    According to Alex Josef, CEO of Acclaim, the goal is “instant pick-up-and-play action” that celebrates the spirit of the classic arcade experiences we grew up with, but updated for a new generation of fans.

    Key Features to Watch For:

    The Signature Trick Shot System: It wouldn’t be a Globetrotters game without the “No Way!” moves. Expect alley-oops, half-court bombs, and outrageous dunks straight from their live performances.

    Deep Game Modes: Whether you want a quick hit in Exhibition, a full Season Mode grind, or high-stakes Tournament play, there’s plenty of content to sink your teeth into.

    Couch Co-op & Versus: The game emphasises local multiplayer, perfect for reclaiming those glory days of sitting on the sofa and out-dunking your mates.

    Retro-Future Aesthetic: A soundtrack that blends classic arcade beats with modern flair, paired with high-quality pixel art.

    Celebrating 100 Years of Magic

    The partnership is more than just a branding exercise. Keith Dawkins, President of the Harlem Globetrotters, noted that this collaboration “literally brings this video game back to life for a new generation.”

    As the team embarks on their 100 Year Tour (making several stops across the UK, including London’s O2 Arena this May!), Super Basketball Classics offers fans a way to take the “Ambassadors of Goodwill” home with them.

    “It fits perfectly for what we are striving to achieve… to create opportunities for fans of any age, anywhere in the world and on any device to learn and enjoy all aspects of the Harlem Globetrotters.” — Keith Dawkins

    Release Info

    While a specific launch date hasn’t been nailed down yet, Super Basketball Classics is confirmed for a 2026 release on PC (Steam) and consoles.

    Stay tuned to TechMash for more updates as we get closer to tip-off. In the meantime, you can already find the game on Steam to add it to your wishlist!

    Find out more here on Steam – https://shorturl.at/WUMN9

    #Acclaim #SuperBasketballClassics #arcadebasketball #HarlemGlobetrotters #retrogames #gameupdate #games #gaming #gamers #platformgames #gameplay #demogames #videogames #arcadegames

  • GRIDbeat! Rocks GDC With New Gameplay Trailer and 26 March Release Date

    GRIDbeat! Rocks GDC With New Gameplay Trailer and 26 March Release Date

    The neon-soaked halls of the Game Developers Conference (GDC) just got a lot louder. During The Mix & Kinda Funny Spring Game Showcase, publisher Acclaim and developer Ridiculous Games officially dropped a pulse-pounding new gameplay trailer for GRIDbeat!, their highly anticipated rhythm-based dungeon crawler.

    But the biggest news? We won’t have to wait long to dive into the mainframe. GRIDbeat! is set to launch on Nintendo Switch and Steam on 26 March 2026.

    Sync or Get Deleted

    In GRIDbeat!, you take on the role of an elite hacker who has successfully breached Knoss.OS, the most fortified corporate network on the planet. You’ve got the data, but getting out is a different story. You’re trapped in the “Mainframe,” a digital labyrinth where the only way to survive is to move, fight, and solve puzzles in perfect synchronisation with the beat.

    The latest trailer showcases the game’s “Sync” mechanic—a high-stakes system where missing a beat doesn’t just mess up your flow; it locks your skills and drains your “Data” (health).

    Key Features to Watch For:

    Beat-Based Dungeon Crawling: Every interaction—from movement to combat—happens on the beat. It turns every level into a tactical dance-off against the system.

    Cyber.Mind Boss Battles: Players will face off against massive AI gatekeepers that require pitch-perfect rhythm to defeat.

    Evolving Hacking Tools: As you progress, you’ll install software upgrades to bypass security protocols and solve increasingly complex grid puzzles.

    A Killer Soundtrack: The heart of the game is its infectious electro-techno soundtrack, which literally dictates the pace of your survival.

    Can’t Wait? Play the Demo Now

    If you’re feeling the rhythm already, there is a free demo available right now on Steam. The demo gives you a generous slice of the action, featuring:

    9 playable hackers to choose from.

    13 stages, including campaign levels and brutal challenge maps.

    3 difficulty modes to test your reflexes.

    The demo has already garnered “100% Positive” feedback from early players, who have praised the tight controls and the sheer addictive quality of the rhythm-action loop.

    Launch Details

    Release Date: 26 March 2026

    Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam)

    Developer: Ridiculous Games

    Publisher: Acclaim, Inc.

    Get ready to plug in and find your flow—the grid is waiting.

    Find out more here on Steam – https://shorturl.at/yYmAN

    #GDC #Acclaim #RidiculousGames #GRIDbeat #dungeoncrawler #games #gaming #gamers #platformgames #gameplay #demogames #videogames #arcadegames

  • Get Into the Groove: GRIDbeat! Hackers its Way to Switch and Steam This March

    Get Into the Groove: GRIDbeat! Hackers its Way to Switch and Steam This March

    Ready to turn your hacking skills into a headline act? Acclaim and Ridiculous Games have officially announced that their neon-soaked rhythm dungeon crawler, GRIDbeat!, will be dropping on Nintendo Switch and Steam on March 26, 2026.

    Announced during The Mix: Indie Fan Fest, this isn’t your typical stroll through a digital mainframe. In GRIDbeat!, the music isn’t just a background track—it’s your heartbeat, your tactical advantage, and your only way out of the most fortified network on the planet.

    The Premise: Sync or Get Deleted

    You play as a high-stakes hacker who has just successfully breached Knoss.OS, a legendary corporate network. You’ve got the data, but the exit door has slammed shut. Now, you’re trapped in a sprawling digital labyrinth known as the Mainframe.

    To escape, you’ll need to outmanoeuvre security protocols, battle military-grade AI simulations, and avoid viral code—all while moving in perfect synchronisation with an electrifying soundtrack.

    Key Features to Watch For:

    • Beat-Based Dungeon Crawling: Every step, attack, and interaction is tied to the rhythm. If you miss a beat, you risk a total system shutdown.
    • Tactical Maze Exploration: Navigate data labyrinths filled with “Server Formats”—deadly hazards that can wipe a level clean if you aren’t careful.
    • Evolving Software Tools: Install powerful software upgrades and power-ups to unlock secrets and bypass system threats.
    • Cyber.Mind Boss Battles: Face off against massive AI gatekeepers in high-intensity rhythm showdowns that serve as the ultimate test of your timing.

    Can’t Wait Until March?

    If the wait until March 26 feels like an eternity, there’s good news. A free demo is currently available on Steam!

    The demo offers a substantial look at the game, featuring:

    • 9 Selectable Hackers to suit different playstyles.
    • 13 Stages, including Training Sims, Campaign levels, and even unlockable Challenge stages.
    • 3 Difficulty Modes to ensure that rhythm novices and beat-masters alike can find their flow.

    “GRIDbeat! is built around rhythm as a core mechanic. Every movement, every pulse, every enemy encounter is powered by an electric soundtrack.” — Jaime Bencia, Senior Producer at Ridiculous Games

    Mark Your Calendars

    Prepare to jack into the grid and let the music guide your escape. Whether you’re a fan of Crypt of the NecroDancer or you just love a good synth-wave aesthetic, GRIDbeat! is looking like a must-play for the Spring season.

    GRIDbeat! launches digitally on March 26, 2026, for Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.

    Find out more here on Steam – https://bit.ly/GRIDbeatYT

    #Acclaim #RidiculousGames #GRIDbeat #NintendoSwitch #Steam #hacker #KnossOS #music #demogame #games #gaming #gamers #videogames #gameplay