Jeff Minter and Atari reveal Akka Arrh for PC and consoles

The early-1980s were pretty much a testbed for what was to come, as the video gaming industry took tentative steps to becoming the powerhouse it now is. It’s from that time where the Akka Arrh seed was sown. Only now though will it become a full-on reality. 

Announced by Atari (you know, they just recently behind the Atari 50: The Anniversary Celebration package) and in conjunction with the legendary game designer Jeff Minter is Akka Arrh, a game that will look to exist on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, PC and Atari VCS from early 2023 onwards. 

It’s a game that has come about on the back of a tiny little arcade prototype from 1982, one that was pushed out to the smallest of test markets. As such, there are reckoned to be three Akka Arrh cabinets in the world, making this not just one of the rarest of all Atari titles, but one of the rarest of the era. 

Created by Jeff Minter, Akka Arrh will bolster Atari’s roster of retro-infused titles as it releases in 2023, delivering what can only be described as an explosion of synthwave madness to the modern gaming world. 

A game that brings together Minter’s humour, his love of colour and his renowned ability to put together a gaming masterpiece, Akka Arrh is set to bring back the arcade experience with a bang. 

The key features of Akka Arrh that you need to be concerned with include…

• A Whirlwind of Electrifying Color: From the mind of Jeff Minter, players will experience a cascade of words, color, shapes and sound flows as they mount the Akka Arrh and fend off attackers. An explosion of dazzling neon graphics, Akka Arrh is a visually stunning, action-packed arcade shooter.
• Ready, Aim, Fire!: Akka Arrh shares the name with the game’s titular star cannon, in which players control from a fixed turret called the Sentinel. Featuring fast-paced wave-shooter action, players will prevent enemies from penetrating the Sentinel’s perimeter, zooming into close range combat and beat them back if they penetrate their defenses. 
• Mystifying Modes to Master: With two modes of play, pilots can start from the beginning and battle their way through 50 unique levels, or pick up where they left off to power through to the end.
• Accessibility is Key: Though Llamasoft is known for mind-blowing and vivid visual effects, not everyone is able to enjoy them. Luckily, in the remake, players are able to toggle the visual effects to a more suitable level.

We’ll be sure to keep you in the loop as to when Akka Arrh releases. Expect to find it on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch, PC and Atari VCS in early 2023. For now, a trailer should suffice. Prepare yourself for a colour explosion…