Photo: Hasbro / Maple Powered Games / Freedom Games
‘Coming Soon: Arriving in early 2024 for Switch, Windows, macOS, and Linux.’
Hasbro, in collaboration with developer Maple Powered Games and publisher Freedom Games, has announced the upcoming release of G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra, a new beat ’em up game. This retro-style game will allow players to assume the roles of iconic G.I. Joe characters such as Duke, Scarlett, Snake Eyes, Roadblock, and others. With the addition of G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra, the resurgence of 2D side-scrolling punch-fests in the 2020s, alongside titles like TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge and the Double Dragon reboot, is evident.
The developers of G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra promise an array of diverse locations in which players can unleash their bashing and kicking skills to defeat the villainous organization Cobra. According to the game’s announcement, players will navigate through well-known settings like Cobra Island, the Pit, Cobra’s top-secret underwater base, and more, as they strive to thwart Cobra Commander’s latest scheme for world domination. The game boasts an arsenal of weapons, explosives, and other tools to aid players in their missions.
G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra offers both story and arcade modes, each supporting up to four co-op players either online or locally. The game features “lovingly hand-drawn pixel art” and includes classic-style cartoon cutscenes. The soundtrack, composed by Tee Lopes (known for his work on TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge), is expected to feature a modern rendition of the animated series’ iconic theme song. The inclusion of the famous “Knowing is half the battle” PSAs remains uncertain at this time.
Eugene Evans, Hasbro’s SVP of Digital Strategy and Licensing, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, “G.I. Joe is one of the most iconic brands from the 80s, and it was the golden era of arcade games. To celebrate the growing popularity of retro-themed games, we’re thrilled to partner with Maple Powered Games and Freedom Games to bring G.I. Joe fans our first-ever Hasbro Retro Arcade experience in this exciting interpretation of a classic 2D beat ’em up.”
G.I. Joe: Wrath of Cobra is set to launch in Q1 2024 and will be available on Nintendo Switch, Windows, macOS, and Linux. Interested players can already add the game to their wish list on Steam and Epic Games Store.