Well here’s a surprise! Indie developer Inti Creates has managed to catch their fans off-guard by announcing and then immediately releasing the sequel to their beloved Blaster Master reboot, Blaster Master Zero 2!

Inti Creates has built up a steady reputation thanks to their action-packed titles and franchises, such as Azure Striker Gunvolt (which is receiving a spin-off in the future) and Dragon Marked for Death. They’re also known for successfully breathing new life into the then-dormant Blaster Master series with Blaster Master Zero, a reboot that enhanced the gameplay whilst also retaining the pixelated aesthetic. On top of that, the game featured a number of DLC guest characters such as Shantae and Shovel Knight, ensuring plenty of replay value. It certainly set the bar quite high.

Blaster Master Zero 2 carries on the traditional “this thing could sit on you and not feel it” flavour of boss encounters

Blaster Master Zero 2 looks set to continue the great mix of run-and-gun action and Metroidvania exploration from its predecessor while also widening the game’s scope. The first game had you exploring an underground series of tunnels, but now Jason’s trusty battle-tank Sophia will be exploring the cosmos, and even meeting pilots with their own tanks!

In addition, Jason himself is equipped with new abilities, most notably a counter attack which lets him zip around in the blink of an eye to strike enemies head-on; someone’s been watching JoJo it seems. In any case, looks like Jason is going to need all of the power he can get, given some of the truly enormous bosses that are set to appear. Take a look for yourself below.

Blaster Master Zero 2 is available now on the Nintendo eShop for $14.99 AUD. If you want more information on the game, be sure to check out the official website. Speaking as someone who loved the original,  the game is definitely worth taking a look at, especially if you’re a fan of retro-style games. Now to see if my download is finished yet…