In a notable move for retro gaming enthusiasts, indie developer Pixel Games SARL-S is expanding the reach of its acclaimed arcade-inspired platformer, Donut Dodo, with officially announced ports for the Nintendo 64 and Sega Dreamcast.
This expansion comes as the studio, spearheaded by Sebastian Kostka, continues development on the anticipated sequel, Donut Dodo Fantastico, and aims to preserve and revitalize the original game for a broader audience. Originally released across modern and niche platforms, including Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam/GOG), iiRcade, Atari VCS, Evercade, and as Donut Dodo Do on exA-Arcadia, Donut Dodo has captured the spirit of classic arcade gameplay since its initial debut.
Pixel Games SARL-S's commitment to accessibility is underscored by its ongoing efforts to bring the game to both contemporary and legacy hardware. Earlier this year, Kostka revealed that a custom game engine was in development to streamline the porting process to retro systems.
Confirming this milestone two days ago via social media, Kostka announced that the Nintendo 64 port of Donut Dodo is now complete, with the Sega Dreamcast edition next in line.
This technical achievement was driven by the desire for greater control over features and target platforms, moving beyond the Godot engine originally used for Donut Dodo. "For Donut Dodo Fantastico, I decided to build my own game engine to simplify porting to both new and older systems," Kostka explained.
"As a proof of concept, I reconstructed Donut Dodo from scratch, taking the opportunity to refine multiple gameplay elements, improve navigation, resample audio, and review visual assets.
Most of these changes are subtle and meant to enhance the experience without disrupting what players already love." Excitingly, both the Nintendo 64 and Sega Dreamcast versions will introduce exclusive features tailored for retro gaming audiences.
These include a brand-new Endless Delights mode—a marathon-style play variant—offline achievements, a perfect run bonus, and an upgraded attract mode complete with an auto-play demonstration.
Additionally, fans can look forward to an enhanced soundtrack, with new music contributions from original composer Sean Bialo. Physical and digital release plans are in the works, with ROM downloads set to become available through itch.io.
Physical editions, particularly for the Nintendo 64, are contingent on demand due to production costs—Kostka intends to launch a Kickstarter campaign to gauge interest and determine the number of cartridges to manufacture. This multi-platform strategy not only cements Donut Dodo’s legacy across generations but also points to future possibilities: Kostka has floated the idea of expanding engine compatibility to the Mega Drive, paving the way for other Pixel Games SARL-S titles to receive retro ports. Donut Dodo’s expansion onto Nintendo 64 and Sega Dreamcast is a testament to both retro gaming’s enduring appeal and the technical ingenuity driving indie game development today.
With acclaimed features and an ever-growing platform roster, Pixel Games SARL-S continues to bridge new and nostalgic audiences worldwide.
This expansion comes as the studio, spearheaded by Sebastian Kostka, continues development on the anticipated sequel, Donut Dodo Fantastico, and aims to preserve and revitalize the original game for a broader audience. Originally released across modern and niche platforms, including Nintendo Switch, PC (Steam/GOG), iiRcade, Atari VCS, Evercade, and as Donut Dodo Do on exA-Arcadia, Donut Dodo has captured the spirit of classic arcade gameplay since its initial debut.
Pixel Games SARL-S's commitment to accessibility is underscored by its ongoing efforts to bring the game to both contemporary and legacy hardware. Earlier this year, Kostka revealed that a custom game engine was in development to streamline the porting process to retro systems.
Confirming this milestone two days ago via social media, Kostka announced that the Nintendo 64 port of Donut Dodo is now complete, with the Sega Dreamcast edition next in line.
This technical achievement was driven by the desire for greater control over features and target platforms, moving beyond the Godot engine originally used for Donut Dodo. "For Donut Dodo Fantastico, I decided to build my own game engine to simplify porting to both new and older systems," Kostka explained.
"As a proof of concept, I reconstructed Donut Dodo from scratch, taking the opportunity to refine multiple gameplay elements, improve navigation, resample audio, and review visual assets.
Most of these changes are subtle and meant to enhance the experience without disrupting what players already love." Excitingly, both the Nintendo 64 and Sega Dreamcast versions will introduce exclusive features tailored for retro gaming audiences.
These include a brand-new Endless Delights mode—a marathon-style play variant—offline achievements, a perfect run bonus, and an upgraded attract mode complete with an auto-play demonstration.
Additionally, fans can look forward to an enhanced soundtrack, with new music contributions from original composer Sean Bialo. Physical and digital release plans are in the works, with ROM downloads set to become available through itch.io.
Physical editions, particularly for the Nintendo 64, are contingent on demand due to production costs—Kostka intends to launch a Kickstarter campaign to gauge interest and determine the number of cartridges to manufacture. This multi-platform strategy not only cements Donut Dodo’s legacy across generations but also points to future possibilities: Kostka has floated the idea of expanding engine compatibility to the Mega Drive, paving the way for other Pixel Games SARL-S titles to receive retro ports. Donut Dodo’s expansion onto Nintendo 64 and Sega Dreamcast is a testament to both retro gaming’s enduring appeal and the technical ingenuity driving indie game development today.
With acclaimed features and an ever-growing platform roster, Pixel Games SARL-S continues to bridge new and nostalgic audiences worldwide.
