Neo Geo Enhanced Port of 'In the Hunt' Announced by Double Dragon One Developers

Neo Geo Enhanced Port of 'In the Hunt' Announced by Double Dragon One Developers Irem’s iconic submarine shooter 'In the Hunt' is making waves again, this time thanks to Casa De Ruivo—a talented homebrew team renowned for their upcoming Neo Geo project 'Double Dragon One.' Comprising developers Ozzy and Johnny16Bit, Casa De Ruivo is now turning their attention to creating a feature-rich Neo Geo port of 'In the Hunt,' introducing the classic to a new generation of retro hardware enthusiasts. The project gained traction when retro gaming YouTuber neocvera showcased early gameplay running on an Analogue Pocket using the Neo Geo core, highlighting the game’s technical progress.

This first look revealed that the port is currently in proof-of-concept stage, representing approximately two weeks of work by the team.

Despite its early state, Casa De Ruivo’s port intends to feature notable enhancements, including the ability for players to switch between the original arcade and PlayStation 1 soundtracks—offering fans a customizable auditory experience. Originally launched by Irem in 1993 for the Irem M-92 arcade platform, 'In the Hunt' has long been recognized for its intricate visual detail and fast-paced aquatic combat.

The game’s development team later went on to form Nazca Corporation, best known for creating the beloved 'Metal Slug' series, further cementing 'In the Hunt' as an influential precursor within the run-and-gun genre.

Following its arcade debut, the shooter was ported to home consoles such as the Sega Saturn and the original PlayStation.

Over two decades later, it found new life with digital re-releases—most notably as part of Hamster Corporation’s Arcade Archives series for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in 2019.

Additionally, 'In the Hunt' was included in the Irem Arcade 1 collection for Evercade, launched in 2022. Casa De Ruivo’s previous experience with 'Double Dragon One'—a Neo Geo port that revitalizes Technōs Japan’s 1987 beat ’em up using enhanced graphics from the delisted iOS version—demonstrates their technical prowess within the homebrew community.

Their work signals continued enthusiasm among retro developers to bring arcade classics to new platforms with modern enhancements, catering to both purists and newcomers alike. With the development of 'In the Hunt' for Neo Geo still in early stages, the homebrew scene is keeping a close watch for further updates.

As Casa De Ruivo continues to refine the port, fans of Irem, classic shooters, and Neo Geo hardware can look forward to a faithful yet refreshed experience of one of arcade gaming’s landmark titles.

arcade Homebrew Neo Geo Double Dragon Casa De Ruivo Irem Ozzy Johnny16Bit Double Dragon One Technōs Japan Metal Slug Nintendo Switch PS1 Arcade Archives Evercade Nazca Corporation