Go Berserk! Berserk Boy Launches Today

There’s a brand new game that’s giving us some serious retro action vibes: Berserk Boy releases today from indie publisher BerserkBoy Games, and it’s worth checking out.

Berserk Boy has been called a Mega Man-like, but after playing the demo it’s giving me more classic Sonic the Hedgehog vibes. It has the level-based action and upgrades of the Mega Man X series, but instead of an arm cannon our hero Kei starts out with a melee dash attack. Chain these attacks together as you dash forward through the level — platforming and avoiding hazards — and then sprinkle in an electric shock attack reminiscent of the Gunvolt series, and Kei makes for a formidable protagonist.

It’s a pretty engaging game loop, with vivid colors and a classic 90s art style. Here’s how the publisher describes the story:

In the distant future … Driven insane by his obsession with Berserk Force Orbs, the diabolical Dr. Genos and his army of Dark Energy minions wage war on the people of Earth. Hope for all humanity rests with The Resistance, but are they enough? As the battle begins, a new hero joins the fight …

Kei, a young, inexperienced rookie, is transformed by mysterious Orb energy into BERSERK BOY! As the shadow of evil looms ever larger, Kei knows he must use his new powers to defeat Dr. Genos and save the planet. Because when all else fails, there is only one thing for it … GO BERSERK!

BerserkBoy Games

Check out the hi-octane trailer to get a sense of the game’s action:

At launch Berserk Boy is sitting at an overall score of 81 on Metacritic.

The demo is a lot of fun but of course covers only the first handful of stages to the game. It definitely left me wanting to play more. As you move through the game Kei will acquire more abilities, allowing players to switch between different suits to use a wider variety of attacks.

Look for Berserk Boy now on Nintendo Switch or Steam! You can find the demo on Steam, where the game is currently on sale for 10% off its regular $20.00 asking price.