Pixel Helix, the marketing company behind August's Pixel Arcadia event, has announced the Pixel Arcadia Retro Awards — a new live awards broadcast designed to spotlight retro-themed releases, physical media and independent developers.
The inaugural awards ceremony is slated for January and will stream live at 20:00 CET / 19:00 GMT / 14:00 ET / 11:00 PT on January 12th.
According to a company press release, Pixel Helix intends the Retro Awards to celebrate upcoming retro releases, independent achievements and the continuing prominence of physical game formats.
The organisers also said they view the Retro Awards alongside two additional live broadcasts — Pixel Arcadia: Bonus Stage (scheduled for May) and Pixel Arcadia: The Future of Retro Showcase (August 2027) — as events they hope will become cornerstones for the retro community.
Eligibility, submissions and voting
Developers, publishers and creators have until November 26, 2026 to submit entries for award consideration.
Eligible submissions must have been first released between December 1, 2025 and November 30, 2026, with the exception of the Most Wanted Award, which will operate under a separate timeline.
The public will decide three of the awards via voting, while an organiser-assembled panel will determine the remaining winners.
Full list of award categories
- Best Nu-Retro Game of the Year
- Best New Game for Retro Hardware
- Retro Hardware Innovation
- Physical Game Release of the Year
- Most Wanted Award
- Retro-Remaster or Remake of the Year
- Games Preservation Hero
- Retro Soundtrack of the Year
- Best Retro Visuals
- No Network Required — The Couch Multiplayer Award
- Retro Reboot or Sequel of the Year
- Retro Creator of the Year (Public Vote)
- Bring it Back Award (Public Vote)
- Pixel Arcadia — Players Choice (Public Vote)
Pixel Helix is also inviting exclusive announcements, world premieres and new trailers to be submitted for live broadcast consideration through the Pixel Arcadia website.
The company has positioned the Retro Awards as an industry-facing showcase intended to amplify retro-minded projects across hardware formats and independent distribution channels such as the Nintendo eShop and physical retail.
Developers and publishers interested in submitting titles should consult the Pixel Arcadia website for submission guidelines and technical requirements ahead of the November 26, 2026 deadline.
The inaugural awards ceremony is slated for January and will stream live at 20:00 CET / 19:00 GMT / 14:00 ET / 11:00 PT on January 12th.
According to a company press release, Pixel Helix intends the Retro Awards to celebrate upcoming retro releases, independent achievements and the continuing prominence of physical game formats.
The organisers also said they view the Retro Awards alongside two additional live broadcasts — Pixel Arcadia: Bonus Stage (scheduled for May) and Pixel Arcadia: The Future of Retro Showcase (August 2027) — as events they hope will become cornerstones for the retro community.
Eligibility, submissions and voting
Developers, publishers and creators have until November 26, 2026 to submit entries for award consideration.
Eligible submissions must have been first released between December 1, 2025 and November 30, 2026, with the exception of the Most Wanted Award, which will operate under a separate timeline.
The public will decide three of the awards via voting, while an organiser-assembled panel will determine the remaining winners.
Full list of award categories
- Best Nu-Retro Game of the Year
- Best New Game for Retro Hardware
- Retro Hardware Innovation
- Physical Game Release of the Year
- Most Wanted Award
- Retro-Remaster or Remake of the Year
- Games Preservation Hero
- Retro Soundtrack of the Year
- Best Retro Visuals
- No Network Required — The Couch Multiplayer Award
- Retro Reboot or Sequel of the Year
- Retro Creator of the Year (Public Vote)
- Bring it Back Award (Public Vote)
- Pixel Arcadia — Players Choice (Public Vote)
Pixel Helix is also inviting exclusive announcements, world premieres and new trailers to be submitted for live broadcast consideration through the Pixel Arcadia website.
The company has positioned the Retro Awards as an industry-facing showcase intended to amplify retro-minded projects across hardware formats and independent distribution channels such as the Nintendo eShop and physical retail.
Developers and publishers interested in submitting titles should consult the Pixel Arcadia website for submission guidelines and technical requirements ahead of the November 26, 2026 deadline.
