Apidya' Special Remake

[m.sniffles.esq]

Teaser Trailer

Press Release Stuff:

33 years in the making! The beloved Amiga Shmup returns in 2026 for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch! Developed by the original team, together with a devoted Apidya super-fan-turned-developer, Apidya’ Special is based on a previously abandoned 1990s console port, combining original assets with all-new pixel art, additional authentic sound effects, and remixed music. Legendary composer Chris Hülsbeck contributes an exclusive, completely rearranged soundtrack which has never been released. Players can experience Apidya' Special in true widescreen with new parallax effects or switch to the original Amiga 4:3 mode that looks, plays, and sounds exactly like 1992. Optional CRT effects with simulated shadow mask, scan lines, and phosphor bloom recreate the classic display feel.

Key Features:

• Authentic Remake – Completely rebuilt from scratch; no emulation.

• Two Visual Modes – Seamlessly switch between HD widescreen or original Amiga 4:3 presentation.

• Exclusive Chris Hülsbeck OST – Newly arranged soundtrack alongside remixed and classic tracks.

• Retro Visual Effects – Optional CRT shaders, bloom, and authentic scanline simulation.

• Expanded Worlds – 5 diverse themed worlds (Meadow, Pond, Sewers, Cyber, Lair), up to 5 levels each, 20 unique bosses, and hidden special stages.

• Fresh Surprises – Randomized in-game events like “Night Mode” with new enemy sprites. Co-op Mode – Second player controls one of the helper drones.

• Accessibility Options – Modernized difficulty settings to make the game enjoyable for all generations (including the original devs).

[Necronom]

That's an interesting one!
"Apidya’ Special is based on a previously abandoned 1990s console port" and "Completely rebuilt from scratch; no emulation" - a proper port built upon a canceled Mega Drive/Snes version?
Nice Loved it on the Amiga.

[Marc]

The one Amiga shooter worth bothering with, great news. Though I will pick up X-Out when it hits under a tenner.

[Necronom]

The one Amiga shooter worth bothering with, great news. Though I will pick up X-Out when it hits under a tenner.

Battle Squadron, Uridium 2 and Silkworm just from the top of my head...

[Herr Schatten]

Lol @ those explosions dropping shadows in the sewers level.

I hope they don't find some way to ruin this. All the 'enhancements' sound terrible, but as long as there's an option to play the game in its original form, I'll happily throw my money at this.

The one Amiga shooter worth bothering with, great news. Though I will pick up X-Out when it hits under a tenner.

Battle Squadron, Uridium 2 and Silkworm just from the top of my head...

Z-Out would actually be my top pick. Uridium 2 would be welcome too, though, it's such a unique game.

[Shatterhand]

I hope they don't find some way to ruin this. All the 'enhancements' sound terrible, but as long as there's an option to play the game in its original form, I'll happily throw my money at this.

From what I got (and I actually...erm... talked a little bit about this with one of the devs years ago), it's the same game with just updated graphics. I feel the new graphics are looking a bit out of place with the older graphics, but I'm still glad this is not emulation.

I am glad this was finally announced. I always said, IMO, Apidya was the only Amiga shooter that could be in a room with console shmups from the same era and not look out of place - Uridium 2 is *awesome* but feels very unique and different. Also (Super) Stardust. Apidya has the graphics, sound and gameplay to keep up.

I hope this makes the game more known beyond the Amiga circles. It's an excellent game, it deserves to be more loved.

Silkworm is an arcade port*. Battle Squadron, Hybris, Z-Out, Mega Typhoon, Swiv and, to a lesser extent, Disposable Hero, Tubular Worlds and Ziriax are all pretty good games. But Apidya is in another level IMO.

*There are other excellent shmup ports on Amiga. Both R-Types, Dragon Breed, Saint Dragon and... well maybe only those. But I don't think those count for this conversation.

* Edit: Added Saint Dragon which I remembered later and it's a pretty good port. Made by the same studio who did Silkworm, though it was a different programmer.

[Bydobasher]

Fabulous news, I'm really looking forward to this!