Hi everyone,
Don't forget to back the Shadow Gangs Zero campaign on Kickstarter if you're into games like Shinobi (1987) and Shadow Dancer (1989). There's only two weeks left:
Shadow Gangs Zero is actually a prequel to the smash indie hit Shadow Gangs (2020). This prequel is being developed for several platforms: Neo Geo, Sega Genesis / Mega Drive, Dreamcast, Steam, Switch, PS5, and current-gen Xbox.
The campaign became fully funded very quickly after it was launched, and there are over 400 backers on board already. Now the fans are trying to have it reach its first stretch goal, which is the inclusion of Hikaru the ninja girl as a playable character !
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We also have a great new Mega Drive track to enjoy. Listen closely at 0:30 seconds — those toms are actually FM drums, not samples, showcasing the MD's unique sound!
The final graphics go through a special division and processing pipeline to maximize the colour usage on the Neo Geo, allowing us to take full advantage of its 256 palettes. The results are excellent, and the game is really coming alive visually.
Looks promising. I'll definitely keep an eye on it.Happy new year (2026)! This is the year that we'll see Shadow Gangs Zero (SGZ) released, beginning first with the Neo Geo version and then all other versions in timely succession - i.e. Dreamcast, Switch, PS5, Xbox One, Steam (PC), and Sega Genesis / Mega Drive.
Progress:
Phase 3 of development has been finished, which was the integration of final graphics. Now the developer has moved on to Phase 4, which involves working on: special effects, impacts & hit flashes, blood & debris, explosions, background animations, HUD, and menus & loading screens. The alpha version of the game is projected to be ready by mid to late February 2026.
Upcoming:
After alpha, the developer plans to work on these tasks: final optimization, difficulty tuning, sound effects integration, and Neo Geo hardware performance checks. Once those tasks have been done, we enter the phase that you've all been waiting for - Beta testing. During the beta phase, all backers will be given a digital copy of the Neo Geo beta version to playtest. By all backers, I mean EVERYONE, not just Neo Geo backers. So for example, if you've backed the PS5 version, you'll be playtesting the Neo Geo beta. Ditto for backers of the Sega Genesis / Mega Drive, Dreamcast, Switch, Xbox One, and Steam (PC).
Tribute:
In his January 10, 2026 progress update, the developer pays tribute to Arjie Cosca, the original main level artist who sadly passed away three months ago. As you view the screenshots attached to this post, please know that SGZ's levels carry his vision, style, and inspiration. The developer notes Arjie's contribution:
- He shaped the visual identity of the game.
- He brought atmosphere and world-building to every stage.
- His sense of detail, mood, and composition is everywhere.
- The art pipeline, tone, and richness all began with his work.
Campaign:
Over 800 backers are now on board with their game controllers on hand, ready to experience the SGZ revolution. We're only £1.5K away from reaching the final stretch goal that gives us the six mini-bosses. Don't let the term "mini-bosses" fool you, as these aren't tiny adversaries. One of them is a large ferocious dragon that fills more than half the screen!
Please help make the inclusion of the mini-bosses a reality. The campaign is still open, but not for much longer:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jkmcorp/shadow-gangs-zero
Thanks!
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Shinobi inspired?
Do you talk shit to get brownie points inside left leaning forums in this game?