Richard O’Brien’s iconic musical Rocky Horror Show is being reimagined as a retro video game, just in time for the 50th anniversary of the 1973 stage production. The Rocky Horror Show Video Game is available now as a digital release on Nintendo Switch and Steam, with other consoles and mobile platforms coming at a later date. The sidescroller adaptation will feature 8-bit graphics and chiptune renditions of the beloved classic songs, including the fan-favorite “Time Warp.”
The Rocky Horror Show Video Game faithfully recreates scenes and dialogue from the original stage play, allowing players to step into the shoes of Brad, Janet, and Dr. Scott. Each level is meticulously designed to capture the essence of the original sets in a nostalgic 8-bit format. Gameplay combines challenging but rewarding platforming and light combat elements, such as picking up and throwing objects at enemies and other experiments from Dr. Frank N Furter’s laboratory.
“As a longtime fan of The Rocky Horror Show, it was an honor to adapt the legendary musical into a video game,” says designer Sam Beddoes. “Now both new fans and veterans can enjoy a whole new take on the story and music in crunchy 8-bit goodness.”
The Rocky Horror Show Video Game is designed and developed by Sam Beddoes of FreakZone Games and produced by Joshua Viola and Klayton (Celldweller) of Metal X Entertainment/Bit Bot Media. The Rocky Horror Show Video Game will be published by FreakZone Games (Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures and Spectacular Sparky) and Bit Bot Media, a new, cutting-edge multimedia company from Klayton (Celldweller/Scandroid), the multifaceted musician known for his contributions to major motion pictures, TV, and video games including Transformers, Malignant, and Killer Instinct, and Denver Post bestselling writer Joshua Viola (Soul Reaver, True Believers). This will be the first ever video game release from Bit Bot Media, whose Kickstarter campaign for The Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver – The Dead Shall Rise graphic novel has raised more than 1.4 million dollars and is currently the fourth most funded graphic novel and comic book project of all time on Kickstarter.
“The Rocky Horror Show is a unique experience that transcends traditional entertainment, and we wanted to bring that magic to gamers—whether they’re already fans of the IP or discovering it for the first time,” says producer Joshua Viola. “For those familiar with Rocky Horror, they’ll get to relive it in a fresh, exciting way. For newcomers, it’s an unforgettable introduction to a cult classic, delivered with a twist only a video game can provide. But beyond all that, it’s simply a blast to play. At its core, it’s a true platformer, and we’ve made sure the gameplay is every bit as engaging as the musical itself.”