This jam is now over. It ran from 2021-07-02 04:00:00 to 2021-07-12 03:59:59. View results

This is a 10 day game jam hosted by Programancer with emphasis on simulating the 8-bit era! Low resolution, small palettes, chiptunes, and everything that made gaming in the early 90s great! This jam runs for 10 days- from July 2nd, 2021 to the end of July 11th, 2021!

Here's what we're looking for:

  • Most specifically, we want games that feel like they were meant to be on store shelves in 1991, but got lost in time somehow and were recently discovered.
  • Period Specific Visuals (palettes/on-screen colors)- NES, Gameboy, Gameboy Color, etc
  • Limited buttons- D-pad, start, select, A, and B. Exceed that at your own discretion.
  • Low resolutions similar to those found on consoles and handhelds around 1991. Feel free to modify it for 16:9 however. You can scale your window however you'd like to be playable at higher resolutions, but the in-game resolution must be low.
  • Your game MUST be made specifically for this jam in the time allotted.

Who can enter? - Anyone! Of any skill level. Work solo or in teams- anything you'd like!

What's the theme? - No specific theme outside of making something that looks and feels like it came out of that "boomer" era of games! Make what comes into your mind, but try to be mindful of era-specific limitations.

What tools can I use to make the game? - You can make your games in any software you'd like, as long as you consider accessibility of play. Please try to make your games playable in Windows without needing to install another program to run it. If you can't build to Windows, consider building for in-browser (webGL) play. 

Am I allowed to use asset packs? - Certainly! If you have them and they fit your theme, go for it!

Can I make a game inspired by another real game? - As long as you create the content for your game (no ripped/stolen assets) and it's not a fan-game (made to be an unofficial entry in another series), create until your heart's content! Sometimes taking what we like from our inspirations and making it into something new can make something amazing.

What are the details on voting? - Voting is public, and will last from the end of the jam until August 1st! Entries will be voted on the following criteria: Controls, Graphical Presentation, Audio Design, 8-bit "Feel", Fun, Overall Rating, and Host's Rating. 

What type of game should I make? Is there a specific genre? - Make anything you want! Outside of making the game seem like it's from the late 80's early 90's, there is no restriction on genre!

How strict are the rules? - This jam is meant to be a laid back experience. The most important part of the rules is that you make a game that accomplishes having the feel of an era specific game. For example, if you feel like bending the rules a bit and making a Playstation style game, feel free! Just try to make it feel like it came from that system, and have fun!

Is there a Discord server? - Yes! Paste this in your browser, and add "w" at the end (without quotes! (BOT PREVENTION))- https://discord.gg/QSEaNR

The most important thing is that you have fun while challenging yourself. Study some games you enjoy from the late 80's and early 90's, think about what you want to do, and have fun!

If you have any questions, feel free to send me a tweet!

Submissions(25)

All submissions
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Browser playable (14)
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Windows (15)

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Be a lawn-mowin' outlaw in the OLD WEST
Action
Play in browser
A Game Boy inspired action-puzzler! Roll giant walnuts through wacky worlds.
Action
8-bit NES-ish platformer boss rush made for Retrogradejam 2
Platformer
JRPG
Role Playing
Complete platforming challenges with gravity flipping powers
Platformer
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Play as a little wizard and beat small platformer levels with a blast from the past!
Play in browser
the duck that wish the golden bread
Platformer
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Explore the Iron City and find its treasures!
Platformer
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In his one day on this Earth, a fruit fly dares to go beyond it...
Adventure
Game Boy Color-themed action RPG demo
Role Playing
Retro SRPG
Strategy
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Action
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Exorcise and Exercise
Action
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A Search Action game made for Retrograde Jam 2, in 2021
Action
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Cut through a blood soaked platforming death labyrinth
Action
A retro-styled match 3 puzzler.
Puzzle
Street Fighter 2 if it was made in 10 days by one programmer/artist
Fighting
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You move barrels and solve puzzles with said barrels.
Puzzle
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Climb a mountain and shoot a bow
Platformer
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A short platformer for the Retrograde Gam Jam 2
Platformer
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A Lemming-like resource manager where you try to build homes for goblins
Puzzle
Arcade style ghost blaster for Game Boy!
Action
Play in browser