The Amiga was well known for some great shoot-’em-ups, and the legendary 1992 Apidya stood out for its colourful environment, sharp gameplay, and interesting design. Now, the original developers of the game, along with a super-fan-turned-developer and ININ Games, have revealed Apidya’ Special, an authentic, 24-bit pixel remake based on a previously abandoned 1990s console port that will be coming to PC and consoles next year. See more in the new trailer below…
Apidya’ Special is a completely authentic remake; there’s no emulation, no AI upscaling and no 3D models. It’s all been built from scratch with handcrafted pixels and passion. This upcoming remake will combine assets from the original game with all-new pixel art, additional authentic sound effects, and best of all, a remixed soundtrack from the legendary composer Chris Hülsbeck, the composer of the excellent music in the original.
A new generation of gamers as well as Amiga veterans will be able to enjoy Apidya’ Special in true widescreen with a new parallax effect. Alternatively, there is the option for a total nostalgia hit and switch to the original Amiga 4:3 mode that looks, plays, and sounds exactly like it did in 1992. There will also be options for CRT effects with simulated shadow mask, scan lines and more that will give the old nostalgia bone a tickle.
Players will be able to shoot their way through 5 diverse themed worlds (Meadow, Pond, Sewers, Cyber, Lair), with each world containing 5 levels, and hundreds of enemies. There will be 20 unique bosses to fight past and an assortment of hidden special stages. Players can also enjoy random in-game events, such as ‘Night Mode’, with new enemies.
Fans will be able to fight through stages solo or with a friend in co-op mode, with the second player taking control of one of the helper drones. And if the challenge isn’t tough enough, there are modern difficulty settings for those who want a tough-as-nails challenge or a more relaxed playthrough.
“We never thought we’d return to Apidya after all these years,” said Peter Thierolf, original creator of the game. “but with new technology, the right team, and the passion of the community, we can finally deliver the version we always dreamed about.”
This remake of a cult classic will bring insane insect action to gamers on Xbox X|S, Playstation 5, Switch and PC in 2026.
