Vector F: Gonesbrew Announces First Side-Scrolling Deathmatch Game for Sega Mega Drive

French homebrew developer Gonesbrew has made headlines in the retro gaming community by unveiling Vector F, which it touts as the first-ever side-scrolling deathmatch game for the Sega Mega Drive, also known as the Sega Genesis outside of Europe.

This bold new title aims to provide a fresh, action-packed experience for Sega's iconic 16-bit hardware, extending the console's legacy with a genre-blending approach not seen before on the platform. According to Gonesbrew, Vector F is intentionally going in a different direction compared to traditional console fare, clarifying that the project is "neither a shoot ’em up nor a racer," contrary to initial impressions from early footage.

Instead, the game fuses elements of high-speed competition and arcade-style challenges to create what the developers describe as "pure side-scrolling, action-packed mayhem." The tight-knit development team comprises Rahzelk at the helm, YM2612 sound specialist Cyberdeous, and graphics artist Luke.

Their collective expertise has already garnered attention, with the project being previewed at WarpZone, a prominent gaming event held in Lyon, France, in May 2024.

Notably, the Vector F team draws broad inspiration from both cinema and gaming, citing films such as Total Recall and Gladiator, as well as classic titles like WipEout, Thunder Force, Hang-On, Fatal Rewind, F-Zero, Destruction Derby, and Moto Roader as major influences on the game's creative vision. Vector F's gameplay centers on intense, two-player, 2D deathraces, casting players in the role of pilots controlling ultra-fast spaceships.

The game’s narrative is set against the backdrop of a dystopian, game show-style tournament reminiscent of 'The Running Man', where convicts, rebels, and social outcasts are forced to compete for their freedom on hazardous circuits known as "lethal test circuits." Players can select from three distinct pilots and three customizable ships, each with distinct characteristics and playstyles.

Power-ups play a major role, providing both offensive and defensive advantages as racers face off in high-stakes matches.

To further deepen the competitive aspect, Vector F includes a robust in-game tournament mode featuring up to 16 contenders, ensuring replayability and variety.

Technical highlights include fully parallax-scrolling tracks running at a smooth 60 frames per second—an impressive feat for the Mega Drive hardware. While fans and collectors of Sega Genesis games await further details, including a specific release date, Gonesbrew continues to share development updates and footage through community channels and its itch.io project page.

As the first side-scrolling deathmatch developed explicitly for the Sega Mega Drive, Vector F is poised to claim a unique spot in the ever-growing library of retro homebrew innovations.

Sega Sega Mega Drive Mega Drive developer Vector F Gonesbrew Sega Genesis Rahzelk Cyberdeous YM2612 Luke WarpZone