Razing Core: A Brand New Shoot 'Em Up Lands On The Master System In 2026

The Master System is not done yet. Developer Bad Computer has just released Razing Core, a brand new vertically scrolling shoot 'em up for Sega's 8-bit console and its Japanese cousin, the Mark III. The project first surfaced in summer 2025 as an alpha demo, and the full version went live on 8 September 2026 on the developer's itch.io page for 7.99 dollars, with a free demo for anyone who wants a taste first.

The game wears its Astro Warrior influence proudly, referencing the shmup bundled with some Master System units back in the day. You pilot the starship Horizon, dragged toward Earth by an unknown object called the Core, with an alien armada to push back. Seven stages, upgradeable weapons, screen-filling bosses, a checkpoint system with unlimited continues and three difficulty levels: the structure is classic, but the execution aims for smooth play on hardware that is now forty years old.

A ROM that also runs on real hardware. Razing Core is built on a custom engine backed by devkitSMS, the go-to toolchain for C development on the Master System. The file works on most emulators as well as on original hardware through a flash cartridge. The chiptune soundtrack comes from Love Penguin, formerly known as Polaria Poyon, with artwork by Danmakuman. If you have never loaded a Master System ROM before, the RetroArch documentation walks you through installing the right emulation core and loading the game in a matter of minutes.

A physical edition is announced for 2027, with no further details for now. Releases like this one are a reminder that the Sega homebrew scene is still going strong, with projects that go well beyond tech demos and ship as complete, finished, commercial games.

Source: Time Extension