Earthion, a small phenomenon in the world of retro gaming and pixel art, has been available for a few days on Steam. Modern console versions will arrive on October 30, 2025, while the Mega Drive version (the “original” version) is expected sometime in 2026.

If the game is generating so much buzz, it’s largely due to the technical feat it represents. Earthion is primarily a Mega Drive game (also ported to PC and modern consoles), and running such a technically advanced game on this 16-bit console is pure talent. The ship animations, especially in the intro and outro of each level, are pre-rendered but look stunning for 1988 hardware.

This is not fan service nor a perfect game, but we wanted to offer a full review because it’s one of those productions that remind us why we love video games, why they are an art form, and why pixel art still has a bright future ahead…

World and Story

The year is 2175. Earth is dying, resources are scarce, and humanity has decided to migrate to Mars for a better future. During this exodus, an alien threat hidden in the shadow of the Moon’s far side appears.

The situation is dire: humanity is technologically outmatched, losses are heavy, but hope remains. Alien casualties have provided access to their technology, enabling a surgical strike against the enemies. That’s when your fight begins.

You play as Azusa Takanashi, an environmental biologist and pilot of the YK-IIA ship, navigating through 8 levels, each with distinct environments (space, planets, installations…). As a shmup, each level ends with a boss fight featuring unique mechanics (destroying weapons, disabling shields, invincibility phases…).

Enemies and Bosses

The bosses are all very inspired, and so is the overall enemy roster. Enemies vary with aesthetics matching their biome. They can be mechanical or organic. Some adapt to your movements; weaker enemies flood you with projectiles but can be killed quickly, while others can cause instant game over due to devastating firepower.

Some levels also feature mid-level bosses to vary the pace of your runs.

The bosses are all very inspired

Graphics and Atmosphere

The game takes place in absolutely stunning settings, whether in space, over water (with a breathtaking sunset—well known for its contemplative effect), or industrial locations. It’s one of the most generous shmups in terms of diversity and inspiration.

However, one of the few flaws is the occasional difficulty distinguishing background from foreground elements. You might blindly crash into walls trying to avoid projectiles, which can be instantly fatal. This can be obvious sometimes, but when the screen fills with projectiles and enemies, reading the game becomes tricky. On the other hand, enemy shots are always clearly identifiable, even in large numbers.

Some scenes are magnificent

Gameplay and Mechanics

Your YK-IIA ship delivers a powerful, visible arsenal. You have a main weapon and secondary weapons. As you progress, you can equip multiple weapons and switch between them in combat. Each weapon can be upgraded with Solrium Crystals collected in levels. These crystals automatically boost your firepower without extra action from you. But beware: if you switch weapons, you’ll need to upgrade the new weapon again.

This clever mechanic means the weapon you’re currently using is the one upgraded by crystals. To upgrade all weapons, you need to switch between them. Each weapon can be situational—sometimes perfect, sometimes useless—depending on the bosses or enemies. We leave that discovery to you.

An evolving arsenal at your disposal

You start each stage with three ships and have three lives total to finish the game, with some 1UPs scattered along the way. Your ship’s health is represented by a shield that depletes when hit but regenerates if you avoid damage long enough, allowing you to expose yourself and fight back.

At the end of each level, you choose an upgrade: an extra ship, a shield slot, a secondary weapon slot, or increased max weapon level—preparing you for the final stages.

If you get a Game Over, the game provides a password to restart with your upgrades intact, a sort of New Game+ without finishing the game, easing the challenge. This feature is optional.

The game offers various difficulty modes (you can even set the number of ships), and a Challenge mode with survival and weapon-specific tests, great for score hunters. On PC and modern consoles, a leaderboard lets you compare with top players worldwide.

One drawback is the ship’s movement, which can feel heavy and slow, potentially hindering you in certain situations. This is a personal impression, whether using analog sticks or arcade sticks.

Soundtrack and Audio Atmosphere

The soundtrack is composed by Yuzo Koshiro (Streets of Rage, The Revenge of Shinobi, ActRaiser, etc.), featuring 27 original tracks composed on real Mega Drive hardware.

If you fall for the music, the soundtrack is also available physically on vinyl and cassette (nostalgia indeed).

Sound effects are well balanced, not overwhelming, and considerate to those nearby—a positive sign for a shmup. Special mention to the few voice lines that signal low shields or radio messages and simple “copy” confirmations at the start, enhancing immersion.

Availability and Yuzo Koshiro’s Appeal

Earthion was released on July 31 on PC for €17.99. Modern console versions will launch on October 30, 2025 for $34.99 in a physical edition by Limited Run Games. Each platform also offers a collector’s edition at $99.99, including posters, soundtrack, and a mini decorative arcade cabinet.

The Mega Drive version was postponed to 2026 (no exact date) because the game isn’t yet up to the developers’ standards. Cartridge releases can’t be patched post-launch, so it must be perfect from day one. Modern versions will get updates, but the cartridge must be flawless.

A problem arose when unauthorized Mega Drive ROMs leaked online, causing two issues: the game isn’t finished, so the leaked version is unofficial, and it harms the developers financially if players use the ROM instead of buying the game.

An appeal was made by Yuzo Koshiro, head of Ancient, on X (formerly Twitter):

“A pirated ROM of Earthion is circulating online. Some might think it’s official, but it is not. The official version is only available on Steam for now. The MD/Gen version will be released next year on cartridge only. No downloadable ROM is planned. Please support us through official channels.
We sincerely thank everyone who supports Earthion officially. Pirated ROMs harm small indie teams like ours. We poured our hearts into this game and want people to enjoy it as intended. Your support makes a real difference.”

For the best experience, buy from Steam, Limited Run Games, or official console stores when available. This investment (€17.99 on Steam) provides updates and helps fund a dev team inspired to deliver quality productions at their own pace.

Conclusion

Given the quality of the game, we highly encourage this kind of release that honors the golden age of shmups while elevating it. Earthion is proof that passion, hard work, and listening to a community can yield rare, high-quality productions reminding us that video games, beyond often sterile debates, are above all an art.

Images: Ancient / YKGGG / Earthion