Some retro games return with a quick re-release and little else. Apidya’ Special, however, is taking a more ambitious route, rebuilding the 1992 shoot ’em up from the ground up for a new generation of players.
Available today, Apidya’ Special launches on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation, PC and Nintendo Switch, with the Xbox version priced at £17.49 / $19.99. And if you fancy swapping spaceships for something a little more unusual, this is a shooter that puts you in control of a heavily armed bee.
At A Glance
- Game: Apidya’ Special
- Developer: Team Apidya
- Publisher: ININ
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation, PC, Nintendo Switch
- Price: £17.49 / $19.99 on Xbox
- Genre: Retro shoot ’em up
- Release Date: August 25th 2026
A Classic Shooter Rebuilt From The Ground Up
Apidya originally made its name as a 1992 home computer shoot ’em up, and this new Special edition is more than a simple emulated re-release. The game has been rebuilt from scratch by Team Apidya, with the original creators involved alongside a developer who began life as an Apidya super-fan.
Players will guide their bee through five themed worlds – Meadow, Pond, Sewers, Cyber and Lair – taking on enemies, hidden stages and a total of 20 bosses along the way.
There are also some surprises built into the experience, including randomised events such as Night Mode, which can change up enemy appearances and keep runs feeling a little less predictable.
Old-School Looks Or A Modern Presentation?
One of the more appealing features of Apidya’ Special is the choice in how you experience it.
Players can switch between a modern HD widescreen presentation and the original-style 4:3 view, with the latter designed to capture the look and feel of the 1992 release. Optional CRT effects, scanlines and phosphor-style bloom are also available for anyone wanting to go fully old-school.
At the same time, this remake includes enhanced visuals that were originally created for an unreleased console version, now finally making their way into the game.
Bring A Second Bee Along
Apidya’ Special also introduces a new co-op mode, allowing a second player to join the action with their own fully featured bee, complete with separate weapons and abilities.
Difficulty options have been modernised too, helping make the notoriously demanding shoot ’em up action more approachable without removing the challenge for those who want the full retro experience.
A Legendary Soundtrack Gets A Fresh Spin
But of course, music has always been a major part of Apidya’s identity, and Apidya’ Special puts plenty of focus on its audio.
Legendary composer Chris Hülsbeck has contributed new studio versions of the game’s music, alongside remastered material and the original recordings. The result is a substantial soundtrack package accompanying the action.
Ready To Get Your Buzz On?
With its ground-up remake, multiple visual options, new co-op mode and plenty of respect for the original, Apidya’ Special looks set to give an old-school shooter another shot at life.
Whether you’re returning to a favourite from the early ’90s or discovering this particular bee-themed blast ’em up for the first time, Apidya’ Special lands on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation, PC and Nintendo Switch. The Xbox Store price is £17.49 /$19.99.
