Table of Contents
Neon Inferno Blasts onto Consoles and PC
Retroware has announced that Neon Inferno, the cyberpunk run-and-gun from Zenovia Interactive, will launch on November 20 across all modern platforms. Inspired by classics like Contra, Metal Slug, and Wild Guns, the game merges high-speed gunplay with a layered foreground-background combat system that rewards precision as much as reflex.
Players step into the boots of Angelo or Mariana, two gun-for-hire enforcers fighting to elevate a fledgling crime family in a decaying, police-controlled city. From corrupt NYPD officers to rival syndicates and mechanical monstrosities, every encounter promises explosive, bullet-soaked chaos either in solo or in two-player co-op.
Four Years in the Making
“The final month or so of Neon Inferno’s development, before we sent off the first version of the game to the platforms, was spent on polish: adding or refining graphical effects, tweaking the balance of each stage, testing, bug-fixing,” said Sri Kankanahalli, founder and creative director at Zenovia Interactive.
Kankanahalli also revealed that the team has already begun work on the game’s first post-launch content, including classic additions like Boss Rush and Time Attack modes as well as “less conventional features” designed to expand the world of Neon Inferno.
Style Meets Speed
A dynamic blend of side-scroller and gallery-shooter, Neon Inferno lets players shoot between foreground and background enemies, pulling off acrobatic dodges and using bullet time to deflect projectiles.
The game’s 32-bit-inspired pixel art brings its dystopian cityscape to life, accompanied by a pounding synth soundtrack that captures the spirit of ‘90s arcade action. Between missions, players can unlock and equip upgrades, experiment with new weapons, and take on tougher difficulties or arcade challenges designed for a one-credit clear.
“I’m incredibly excited to finally share Neon Inferno with the world, after almost four long years of development,” Kankanahalli added. “There’s no doubt November 20 will be overwhelming. I’ll be refreshing reviews constantly — because without players, my studio doesn’t exist, and without my studio, I don’t exist.”
Launch Details
A physical edition will be available via Limited Run Games, with pre-orders opening on November 25 and running through December 28. Neon Inferno launches digitally on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam on November 20.
