If you have ever felt a sudden wave of nostalgia for fluorescent lights, plastic VHS cases, and the warm hum of a tape rewinder, independent studio Gunmetal Games has just the game for you. The studio’s wildly creative open-world video store simulator, Rewind 99, is officially set to leave Early Access and release its long-awaited Version 1.0 on August 27 at 8 AM PT.
To celebrate the full release, players can jump in right now for $11.99, or take advantage of a launch-week discount dropping the price by 30% to just $8.39.
Here is why gamers, management sim fans, and nostalgic ’90s kids should have Rewind 99 on their radar.
More Than Just a Register: A Sandbox RPG in Disguise
At first glance, Rewind 99 casts you as a modest clerk running the last video rental store in Reshoot Springs—a low-poly, neon-soaked town set in 1999 that is slowly abandoning physical media.
Your initial tasks sound like a standard cosy management sim:
- Stock shelves with movies, snacks, and retro collectables.
- Process rentals and manage customer lines.
- Manually rewind tapes (because non-rewinders are the worst).
- Hire employees and set store hours.
However, calling Rewind 99 a simple store simulator does it a massive disservice. The shop is merely a front. Step outside the sliding glass doors, and you’ll find a sprawling, walkable open-world sandbox filled with quirky NPCs, deep progression systems, and a dark side hustle economy.
From VHS Clerk to Rental Racketeer
To survive the rise of corporate streaming giants and keep your shop afloat, you’ll need to step out from behind the counter and dive into side hustles. Rewind 99 leans heavily into sandbox absurdism, allowing players to build a true underground empire:
- Run an Underground Fight Club: Earn extra cash on the side by organising bare-knuckle bouts.
- Become a Movie Producer: Produce your own films and mix custom tapes to sell in your shop.
- Enforce Late Fees—Violently: Send out repo men or personally collect overdue fees from delinquent customers.
- Gamble and Hustle: Try your luck on lottery scratchers, set up claw machines, or make deals with illicit candy dealers.
- Co-Op Chaos: Take on the town solo or team up with up to 4 players in online co-op to run the business together.
What’s New in Version 1.0?
Gunmetal Games listened closely to community feedback throughout Early Access, focusing Version 1.0 on deep mechanical polish and expanded content:
- Rebuilt Employee AI: Staff are no longer liabilities. Overhauled pathing and behaviour mean your employees will actually restock, prioritise tasks, and keep the shop running smoothly.
- Major Performance Overhaul: A comprehensive optimisation pass across the engine guarantees steady frame rates, even during long, asset-heavy gameplay sessions.
- Expanded Map & Hidden Lore: Discover new secret locations across Reshoot Springs, alongside scattered lore fragments and artefacts that reveal what is really happening behind the scenes in town.
- Quality of Life Enhancements: Enjoy fine-tuned customisation options, balanced progression systems, variable store hours, and overhauled pricing mechanics.
Grab the Deal Before It Rewinds!
Whether you want to build a cosy retro Blockbuster homage, produce B-tier indie films, or build a criminal syndicate disguised as a VHS shop, Rewind 99 offers one of the most uniquely entertaining simulator experiences of the year.
Don’t wait—grab Rewind 99 during its launch week for just $8.39 (30% off) before it returns to its standard price of $11.99.
Find out more here
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