Got to get tough, yo Joe! Especially since this new video game features as much (or more) brawling as it does red and blue lasers.
As part of the IGN Fan Fest 2024 gaming event, a new trailer dropped for the upcoming belt-scrolling beat ’em up that looks poised to take advantage of the popularity of other more recent releases in the genre, such as Streets of Rage 4 and, perhaps more relevantly, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge. Originally announced with a teaser trailer back in August, this latest video gives us a better look at what to expect from this retro-styled game based on the original A Real American Hero cartoon:
There are classic G.I. Joe and Cobra friends and foes, vehicles, giant Cobra-themed robots, and yes, you did just see Duke punch a freaking H.I.S.S. Tank!
The game’s Steam listing offers the following details:
Cobra rears its ugly head yet again and it’s up to G.I. JOE to save the world! Embracing the 1980s era of the iconic universe, Wrath of Cobra is a retro side-scrolling beat ’em up. Play as one of the legendary G.I. JOE characters, including Duke, Scarlett, Roadblock, Snake Eyes, and more. Defeat hordes of Cobra troopers, Vipers, Crimson Guards and more of Cobra’s malevolent machinations.
Bring Cobra down, striking back at the likes of Destro, Serpentor, Baroness, and Cobra Commander himself! Fight your own way: Rely on your fists and get up close and personal using each character’s unique combos and special moves or keep your foes at a distance with a variety of weapons!
- Retro Gameplay in a Modern Era: Wrath of Cobra takes the classic arcade beat ’em up and brings it into the modern age: Easy to play, hard to master, and smoother than a ride in a H.I.S.S. Want to play with your friends? The game supports local multiplayer (eg. from your couch) and online co-op!
- Play as Classic Heroes: Fight Cobra as your favorite G.I. JOE heroes, painstakingly recreated in beautiful pixel art. The differences between characters aren’t just cosmetic: Each hero has different movesets and unique abilities. From the fast and nimble Snake Eyes to the rough and tumble Roadblock, each character is true to form!
- Battle Iconic Villains: Cobra isn’t just the Cobra Commander, it’s also its legions! Face hordes of troopers, armored Alley Vipers, artificial B.A.T.s, armed with some of the most iconic weapon systems in the franchise, including the H.I.S.S., C.L.A.W., and the notorious Trubble Bubble.
- Retro-Infused Soundtrack: Foil the Commander’s plot to the beat of classic G.I. JOE themes, reimagined by industry veterans at Kid Katana Records, bringing a modern twist to classic arcade music!
- Post-Launch Support: Like Destro’s plots, Wrath of Cobra will continue with extensive post-launch support, bringing more G.I. JOE heroes into the fray, adding new game modes, levels, and more to keep the G.I. JOE legacy alive!
Our International Heroes will be there in the second quarter of 2024 when G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra comes to Nintendo Switch and Steam for the PC, courtesy of developer Maple Powered Games (how ironic) and publisher Freedom Games (how apt).
And if you’d like to talk about this, or just yell to the sky “Yo, Joe!“, then head over to the “G.I. Joe thread” in our forums.
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