Welcome to JagJam 2026
JagJam is back for its third round. Build a new game for a unique piece of hardware.
JagJam 2026 is a long-form game jam dedicated to creating new homebrew games for the Atari Jaguar. Whether you are an experienced Jaguar coder, a retro homebrew developer curious about unusual hardware, or a small team looking for a distinctive challenge, you are welcome to join.
The goal is simple: create something new, fun, and technically sound for the Atari Jaguar, and share it with the world.
This jam runs from May 1st, 2026 until October 31st, 2026, giving you plenty of time to build a polished demo or a complete game.
Solo developers and teams are welcome.
Any genre is welcome.
A free public demo is enough to qualify.
If you always wanted to create something for the Jaguar, this is your chance.
Why join?
- Create a new game for one of the most fascinating and challenging retro systems out there
- Get your work seen by dedicated Jaguar fans and homebrew enthusiasts
- Compete for a cash prize and a winner badge
- Get the chance to enter a publishing conversation with Songbird Productions
JagJam is not about rushing out a prototype over a weekend. It is about giving developers enough time to build something that can truly shine on original hardware.
Prizes
The winner of JagJam 2026 will receive:
- 200 EUR prize money
(PayPal required; if a team wins, the prize money will be sent to one account and must be split by the team itself) - A digital winner badge
to display on your itch.io page, website, social media, or project materials - The opportunity for a publishing conversation with Songbird Productions
regarding the game created for this jam
What you can submit
You may submit one or more original Atari Jaguar games.
Accepted entries may be:
- a complete game
- a substantial playable demo
Every genre is welcome.
Rules and submission requirements
Please read these carefully before joining.
Your entry must:
- be a project for the Atari Jaguar console
- run on a real Atari Jaguar using a GameDrive-compatible cartridge image
(for example: JAG, J64, ROM, BIN, ABS) - run on PAL and NTSC systems (50/60 Hz)
- include basic instructions on how to play
(a simple text file is enough) - be submitted by October 31st, 2026
- have a free public release, at least in the form of a playable demo
You may:
- work alone or in a team
- submit more than one entry
- use any toolchain or development environment you prefer
Your entry must not:
- violate intellectual property rights
- be a 1:1 port of an existing commercial or homebrew game
- be the same game, or a slightly refined version of the same game, that was already entered in a previous JagJam
If you are unsure whether your project qualifies, contact the host before submission.
Very important: real hardware matters
Please keep this in mind from day one:
If it only works in emulation, that is not enough.
Your game must run on a real Atari Jaguar. Emulators are useful during development, but they are not a guarantee that your code will behave correctly on original hardware.
To avoid last-minute problems:
- test on real hardware as early as possible
- test repeatedly during development
- if possible, test on both K and M model Jaguars
- do not wait until the final deadline to verify hardware compatibility
If you do not own a Jaguar yourself, that is not a dealbreaker. You can start with emulation, then ask for hardware testing support later. Community members, forum users, and the host may be able to help with testing in time.
For developers who want to be extra careful: initialize global variables manually, clear BSS and stack if needed, and treat hardware validation as part of development rather than a final step.
Where to start
If you are new to Jaguar development, do not worry. There are several ways to get started.
Useful starting points include:
- JagStudio
- Jaguar SDK
- U-235 sound engine
- the AtariAge Jaguar Programming section
- other Jaguar-focused community spaces and developer forums
You are free to use whichever tools work best for you.
A practical approach is:
- get something running in emulation
- build a basic gameplay loop
- move to real hardware testing early
- optimize and refine from there
JagJam is open to all kinds of projects, but the strongest entries usually combine:
- a clear gameplay idea
- stable performance on real hardware
- readable visuals
- strong audio design
- an overall sense of polish
Do not worry if your game is small in scope. A compact, well-executed idea can be a winner too.
Judging criteria
Entries will be rated by selected judges using the following criteria:
- Originality – How fresh and interesting is the concept?
- Graphics – Does the game look good, and is the visual style coherent?
- Sound & Music – How effective and enjoyable is the audio design?
- Playability – Is it fun and responsive to play?
- Replay Value – Does it invite players to come back?
- Presentation – How well do all parts fit together?
- Technical Finesse – How impressive and well-executed is the game technically?
There will be one overall ranking.
The winner will be announced after judging has been completed.
Judges
JagJam 2026 will again be judged by a small panel with experience in Jaguar development, publishing, media, and documentation.
Planned judges include:
- Carl Forhan – Songbird Productions
- Rees – CTRL-ALT-REES
- Boris Kretzinger – author of Clipped Claws – The Atari Jaguar Story
Community and contact
If you plan to join, feel free to introduce yourself in the community section.
You are also encouraged to post:
- work-in-progress screenshots
- short gameplay clips
- technical questions
- requests for testing help
- team-up requests for code, art, music, or QA
If you have questions during the jam, contact the host directly.
When joining, please also make sure the host has a reliable way to reach you if needed.
Final words
The Atari Jaguar homebrew scene is still alive because developers keep building new things for it.
JagJam 2026 is meant to help exactly that: give creators a reason to start, enough time to finish something worthwhile, and a place to present new Jaguar games to an interested audience.
So whether you want to build a tiny arcade game, an experimental prototype, a polished shooter, a puzzle game, or something nobody expects on Jaguar hardware:
Join in and make something wild.
FAQ
Do I need original Jaguar hardware to start?
No. You can begin in emulation, but your game must run on real hardware by submission time.
Can I submit a demo instead of a full game?
Yes. A free public playable demo is enough.
Can teams join?
Yes.
Can I submit more than one game?
Yes.
Can I submit an older unfinished Jaguar project?
Yes, if it is clearly not the same entry as one submitted to a previous JagJam and it's not violating any copyrights.
Past Winners
JagJam took place twice so far, with SJC's "Shape Shooter 2000" winning in 2024 and "SpaceZOT" by Rico59 taking first place in 2025. Just look up the past JagJams and you'll discover some more great games for sure, some of which you will see released by Songbird Productions soonish.