Submissions open from 2026-10-31 15:00:00 to 2027-01-17 23:59:59
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Head On Game Jam

Programming Challenge for 8Bit/16Bit Computers
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Please read the Rules and Submissions Requirements carefully
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Overview

Welcome to the 8/16-Bit Game Jam!

This time, your challenge is to create a game inspired by the classic Head On style of gameplay. You’re encouraged to use your imagination, so your game doesn’t need to be a direct recreation. Put your own spin on the idea!

Many of us will remember this style of game from our favourite 8-bit and 16-bit computers, consoles, or the local arcade.

In simple terms, create a game where the player travels around a maze or course, collecting or eating items while avoiding obstacles, hazards, enemies, or other dangers.

How you interpret that idea is entirely up to you!

Your game can be written using:

  1. BASIC (compiled BASIC is allowed)
  2. BASIC with Assembly
  3. C or C with Assembly
  4. Assembly Language

As always, the main purpose of our Game Jams is to learn, experiment, and increase our knowledge of the retro computers we all love.

This isn't just about creating the most impressive game. It's about challenging yourself, learning something new, and hopefully discovering a little more about programming your chosen machine along the way.

You may use AI as a learning aid, for example to help explain concepts, understand errors, or provide guidance.

However, please do not use AI to write the entire game for you.

The purpose of the challenge is for you to learn how to program these machines. AI can help you along the way, but the finished game should represent your own work, learning, and achievement.

Completing the challenge is an achievement in itself.

Once the Game Jam has finished, we'll hold a live stream showcasing the submitted games, giving everyone the opportunity to see what the community has created.

Any submission that has malicious intentions or does not follow the Game Jam rules may be removed.

Most importantly: if you have any doubts or questions about the Game Jam, please ASK. Don't assume!

Have fun, experiment, learn something new, and let's see what you can create!

You can reach us via email on

or via discord on

RULEZ (see also Submission Requirements)

  1. All Computers and Consoles  are allowed with the following
    • CPU Range or flavour- Z80, 6502 , 68K,
    •  MS-DOS max v6.22 only -  8086, 80286
  2.  Submissions not allowed for
    • CPUs not mentioned above like 80386 and above
    • Windows
    • Linux / Unix
    • MAC OS
    • IoT Devices
    • Anything else that is missed and not mentioned  in point 1
  3. MS-DOS entries can only use the following software
    1. GW-BASIC or QBASIC (not allowed QB64)
    2. Turbo C or Quick C
    3. MASM / FASM / NASM (Asm code needs to be for the CPUs above)
    4. Any other software not allowed
  4. The code must be written in one of the programming languages BASIC / ASM / C or a mix of these. 
  5. The source code (ASCII Format) needs to be supplied with the game.
  6. Include a DOC as an overview of the Game and include also all the details as stated in the Submissions Requirements further down.
  7. Please make sure to include your EMAIL where you can be reached.
  8. Do not share the code or make the game available on ITCH.IO before the stream happens.
  9. This challenge is for 8/16bit machines and their flavours (some like the Amiga has 32bit).
  10. Submissions to ITCH.IO without sending and email or getting in touch on discord do not count.
  11. The Game needs to include the below text visible on the game title screen.

 "Participated in the Retro Programmers Inside (RPI) and Phaze101 Game Jam" 

Deadline and Submission

Participants must send their game by the 17th of January 2027 via email  to  retroprogrammersInside@gmail.com  or via a direct private message to Phaze101 on the Phaze101 Discord, complete with source code (ASCII Format) with the game Submissions Requirements doc.

The number of entries or submissions on this ITCH.IO page will never reflect the number of participants since all submissions need to be sent via an email or as a direct private message to Phaze101 on his discord.

Live Stream

When this Game Jam finishes there will be a live stream event announced by Phaze101 in which all the games submitted will be shown.

Announcement will be on Phaze101 Discord or on the Retro Programmers Inside FB Group.

The stream normally happens 3 to 4 weeks after the Game Jam finishes.

This is our way of celebrating the Game Jam and how everyone gets his glory.

Submission Requirements

Important: Do not assume we know how to use the emulator that you have used for your Game submission

Here are some requirements for the submission doc that you need to mention in your instructions

  1. Overview about the game, what the game is about, aim and what one needs to do. 
  2. Link to the retro emulator in which your software runs
  3. How to setup the EMU
  4. How to load your Game in the EMU
  5. How to Run the Game 
  6. What Controls such a Keys / Joystick your Game Uses
  7. State for which computer model your Game was written since some machines like the MSX do not have the same specs.
  8. State Ram required if it needs to be set since some machines have different memory setups such as VIC20, MSX etc
  9. What programming Language was used and if it needs to be loaded before such as BASIC
  10. Some Retro EMUs require that your code is in the same directory of your EMU like the X16, so you can include the EMU with your Game
  11.  Links to your game on Itch.io ONLY is not enough, however links to itch.io are allowed to have but do not share game.
  12. Only Itch.io does not count as a submission (I can't turn this feature off) and you need to send it via email or discord.
  13.  Please write the game doc and submit it with the game.
  14. Submit the Game SOURCE CODE (ASCII Format) and specify where it is or its name with its extension.
  15. Please add an email to the Game Doc in case we need to contact you.

Note: Do not share the code or Game before the JAM Ends and the stream is done

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Happy Coding