Earthion

Released Jul 2025

Earthion is a side-scrolling space shooter developed natively for 16-bit systems. Guide space fighter pilot Azusa Takanashi in her fight to repel the alien invaders and save planet Earth.

95% positive · 503 reviews

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Where to buy

Steam Updated 6 Oct 2026 $9.99 $19.99 −50%

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Evaluation

Earthion is a classic arcade-style side-scrolling shoot 'em up that launched on July 31, 2025 as a complete, self-contained product. The game ships with eight levels, multiple difficulty modes, and online leaderboards — a full package typical of the genre. There is no season pass, no announced DLC, and no roadmap for future content. All three post-launch developer communications are maintenance and polish patches: a crash/input fix shortly after launch (August 4, 2025), a major ROM update adding leaderboards in preparation for the console release (September 10, 2025), and a further ROM update adding the final leaderboard challenges (October 25, 2025). These updates reflect a developer finishing and polishing their product rather than building toward new content. The most recent developer communication was on October 25, 2025, and there have been no posts since — consistent with a completed game that no longer requires active support. No further content has been announced or implied.

Evidence

Game launched as a complete eight-level arcade shooter with no mention of DLC, season pass, or post-launch content plans.

store metadata · Jul 31, 2025 source content shipped

high

ROM updated to version 4.0 adding Challenge Leaderboards 7 and 8, plus technical menu and executable fixes. Last developer communication on record.

news post · Oct 25, 2025 source content shipped

medium

Media

Details

Developer

Ancient Corporation

Publisher

Limited Run Games, Inc.

Achievements

Platform

Windows

Controller

full support

Steam Deck

Verified

Players

Single-player

Action Retro Shoot 'Em Up Pixel Graphics 1990's Space Combat Shooter Female Protagonist Music Soundtrack Arcade Bullet Hell Side Scroller 2D

About this game

Return to the genesis of 16-bit gaming with Ancient's brand new shoot 'em up, Earthion!

Yuzo Koshiro’s Earthion is a side-scrolling space shooter developed natively for 16-bit systems by legendary Japanese developer Ancient Corporation.

Guide space fighter pilot Azusa Takanashi, through eight chaotic levels, each with their own unique environment, enemies, and boss fights, to repel the alien invaders and save planet Earth.

Legends of the 16-bit era return

Instrumental in the creation of some of the 16-bit era’s most defining games, Ancient Corporation and Yuzo Koshiro return to their roots after three decades to deliver a generation-defining experience and an unforgettable fight among the stars.

Classic Arcade Shooter Action

Strap in and deploy a devastating arsenal as you fight your way through eight chaotic levels, each with unique environments, enemies and boss fights. Beat the game on Hotshot difficulty, up the ante in Challenge mode and become a flying ace to claim your spot in the online leaderboard*.

Original Soundtrack by Yuzo Koshiro

With an original soundtrack from one of the most renowned composers of the 16-bit era, Earthion offers a truly immersive audio experience featuring 27 original tracks and incredible soundscape of effects to transport you back to a golden age of retro gaming

Developed natively for classic 16-bit hardware

Developed to run natively for 16-bit hardware, pushing the original system to its absolute limits while ported to modern platforms with meticulous care, Earthion offers great quality of life features, including highly customizable scanline configurations to give an authentic retro experience on modern displays*.

About Ancient Corp

Ancient Corporation is a Tokyo, Japan-based development studio founded by renowned game music composer Yuzo Koshiro. With over 35 years of experience in game development, Ancient has become a pioneer of 2D action experiences, having produced beloved classic hit titles such as Streets of Rage 2, Sonic the Hedgehog on Game Gear, and more. Earthion represents Ancient’s first 2D shooter game, and its first Mega Drive title since Beyond Oasis, which was released back in 1995.

*Feature not available for Mega Drive/Genesis editions of Earthion.