Summary
Studio Bitmap Bureau has announced plans to port its 2019 arena shooterXeno Crisisto theGame Boy Advancelater this year. TheGame Boy Advanceis still regarded as one of the most beloved handheld platforms of all time and is a widely respected piece of hardware from the 32-bit era of video game consoles. Now, over 20 years after its release, fans of the GBA can look forward to a new title with both retro charm and modern gameplay innovations.
Fans of top-down shooters might have already heard ofXeno Crisis, Bitmap Bureau’s critically acclaimed 2D-pixel title. Released in 2019,Xeno Crisisis an indie top-down arena shooter inspired by several ofthe most beloved 1990s arcade games, such asMercsandSmash TV. In the game, players take on the role of a veteran marine who is deployed on a mission to Outpost 88, a scientific research facility that has been overrun by aliens. Similar to other arcade-style games, the title also features local multiplayer on most systems, enabling players to act alone or share the screen with a friend.
Xeno Crisishas notably been released on multiple retro consoles before, including the Sega Genesis and Neo Geo. Fans of the game will also be able to pick it up on Game Boy Advance by Q4 2024. Physical versions ofthe acclaimed top-down arena shooterwill come packaged in region-free GBA cartridges and will also include an instruction manual. Game Boy Advance fans who rely on emulators and flash cartridges can similarly purchase access to a digital ROM on Bitmap Bureau’s official website at release.
Retro Gamers Are Loving Xeno Crisis
ThoughXeno Crisishas yet to launch on GBA, there’s reason to believe it can stand alongside the classics of the handheld console. Since its 2019 release, the game has already made a name for itself on other platforms, earning respectable scores on Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.Fans of retro video gameshave notably praisedXeno Crisis' for its charming pixel art graphics and challenging, fast-paced gameplay, with the title currently sitting at a “Very Positive” rating on Steam.
Players looking to expandtheir Game Boy Advance librarycan now preorder a physical copy ofXeno Crisisthrough Bitmap Bureau’s official online store for approximately $45. Fans who place an order for a copy of the physical version of theGame Boy Advanceversion will also automatically receive a complimentary download of the digital ROM version.
Nintendo Game Boy Advance
The Game Boy Advance was Nintendo’s handheld offering in the sixth generation of consoles and was the successor to the Game Boy Color. It offered upgraded graphics and allowed developers to pack even more complex games into the handheld space.
