Dallas, TX –March 26, 2026– Independent publisher The Retro Room Games and developer mdsteele have announced that the Kickstarter campaign for Annalog has been live since yesterday and has already reached 100% of its goal.
Annalog is a brand new Metroidvania adventure for the NES, inviting you to rediscover technology, reprogram machinery, and reboot civilization as you explore a sprawling world filled with mysterious lore, open-ended puzzles, and heart-pounding boss fights. Journey through an unknown post-apocalyptic landscape scattered with abandoned machines that you can freely reprogram to do your bidding, and as you uncover the story of how this high-tech civilization fell, you’ll face a defining choice: restore it or destroy it forever.
This game is already 100% finished and extensively play-tested and works on real NES hardware. The source code is open and freely available. We're running this campaign to raise funds to publish Annalog with a complete-in-box treatment, including a physical NES cartridge and a printed manual. You can even get the original soundtrack on CD and your name in the game's credits! Or, if you don't want a physical cartridge, you can still get digital versions of the soundtrack and game manual, as well as early-bird access to the finished game ROM. We'd be thrilled to have your support, at any level, to help get this game into more people's hands.
Features
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Responsive platforming, with tight controls.
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A free-form programming system, allowing you to solve each puzzle in many different ways. Overcome weaker platforming skills with superior puzzle-solving, or vice-versa!
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A polished experience, from start to finish. No lag, and no sprite flicker, even on vintage NES hardware.
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Battery-backed saved progress, with automatic saving between every room.
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Thirteen different regions to explore, each with its own environment and original music.
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Eight different bosses, each one presenting a unique challenge.
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Dozens of characters to meet, with thousands of words of in-game dialogue to advance the story.
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Fifteen upgrades and forty-five lore pages to collect.
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An extra-challenging, optional collection side-quest for the bravest players.
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Three different story endings.
Additional Information
About The Retro Room Games
The Retro Room Games is an independent game and publishing studio based in Texas, founded by lifelong retro gaming enthusiast John Roo. Built on a love for classic games, physical media, and the era when games felt personal, permanent, and meant to be owned, the studio focuses on creating new experiences for retro hardware and physical collectors. John grew up with cartridges, manuals, pixel art, and games that rewarded curiosity and patience. As the industry shifted toward digital-only releases and disposable experiences, he saw much of what made games special slowly fading away. Instead of just reminiscing, he decided to actively preserve that spirit by making games you can hold, display, and return to years later. The Retro Room Games is committed to thoughtful design, authentic retro aesthetics, and physical releases whenever possible. Every project is created with respect for the past, while still aiming to feel fresh and fun for modern players. This studio isn’t about chasing trends or mass production. It’s about craftsmanship, ownership, and keeping retro gaming alive through games made with care and intention.
About mdsteele
mdsteele is a nights-and-weekends game developer, lifelong retro game enthusiast, and proud father of three. Balancing family life and a full-time day job, for years, he has carved out time wherever he could to create thoughtful, carefully designed games inspired by the classics he grew up with. Over the course of four years, mdsteele planned and developed Annalog, much of it during long train commutes to and from work. Those quiet stretches became a creative space where ideas were refined, puzzles were tested, and a deep love for retro design slowly took shape into a finished game. His previous titles include the puzzle and Metroidvania games Big2Small, System Syzygy, and Azimuth, all of which showcase his passion for smart mechanics, exploration, and games that respect the player’s intelligence. mdsteele’s work is driven by persistence, curiosity, and a genuine love for the medium. Annalog represents years of dedication, built piece by piece in spare moments, and he’s excited to finally share it with players who appreciate games made with care and intention.