Rebounder: A New 2D Platformer Inspired by Kaizo Games
At the Game Developers Conference earlier this year, Aggro Crab developer Nick Kaman said there is still plenty of potential in co‑op “friendslop” games, but his studio will now focus on a very different title: the upcoming platformer Rebounder.
Rebounder | Announce Trailer – YouTube
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Standing out in today’s crowded market is tough, especially for a 2D platformer, so I’m excited when a game like Rebounder breaks through. Its visual style is a color‑limited, comic‑book cel‑shade look that feels like a blue‑collar sci‑fi setting reminiscent of Scavenger’s Reign, Alien, or Mouthwashing.
According to the Steam synopsis, Rebounder follows contract workers on a remote lunar worksite where ancient resources flow beneath their feet and shareholders demand extraction. The story describes “blue collar labourers from around the galaxy” trekking to the edges of civilization for the next gig, with a Rebounder running lines, pulling up boots, and delivering cargo through hazardous terrain by any means necessary.
Rebounder looks to be no slouch on the gameplay front either: Its Steam page references kaizo games, hardcore, challenge run fangames/romhacks built out of classic 2D platformers (mostly Super Mario World). It’s a style of game I’ve always loved to watch, but it feels relatively unapproachable for the average Joe. Taking kaizo games’ lead as inspiration for a full game strikes me as a brilliant move.
“I think someone got really interested in mario shell jumps,” observed top commenter ChampionBob on Rebounder’s announcement trailer. Tricky jumps requiring deft manipulation and timing around defeated Koopa shells are a kaizo staple, and Rebounder seems to replicate that style of platforming with its grody little sci‑fi bits and bobs.
So it looks rad, the story sounds neat, and it’s cribbing notes from a style of fangame that hasn’t seen a ton of imitation yet—I’m on board, let’s rock. Rebounder is targeting a general 2027 release window, and you can wishlist it on Steam.
