Nightmare Busters Rebirth Nears Stretch Goal for Takaya Imamura’s Involvement on Nintendo Switch

Nightmare Busters Rebirth, the modern remake of the cult classic SNES run 'n' gun, is making waves in the retro gaming community as it approaches a significant stretch goal on its Kickstarter campaign.

The game, first introduced to players in 2013 as a much-belated SNES release, is now being reimagined for Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Switch 2, promising fresh content, polished visuals, and ambitious rewards for backers.

A highlight of the campaign is the potential involvement of Takaya Imamura, the celebrated artist best known for his work on The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask, F-Zero, and Star Fox.

Imamura’s distinctive style has defined entire generations of Nintendo franchises, and his participation in Nightmare Busters Rebirth would bring an extra layer of excitement for fans and collectors alike. Currently, the Nightmare Busters Rebirth Kickstarter campaign is sitting at €131,745, with just 15 days remaining to reach its next target.

The initial funding goal of €60,000 has already been surpassed, fully securing the game’s development.

However, Imamura’s involvement as a designer for a brand-new boss character is contingent upon the campaign reaching its €150,000 stretch goal.

Should the funding milestone be met, Imamura will step in to lend his artistic vision to the project, with the promise of a new adversary that reflects his extensive legacy in character design.

Developers have expressed enthusiasm, noting that achieving this goal would allow them to collaborate with one of the industry’s most respected artists. Nightmare Busters Rebirth is set to launch on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, further underscoring the enduring appeal of classic SNES titles on modern hardware.

Backer rewards for the campaign span a wide range of offerings, including digital game codes and exclusive physical collector’s editions.

While specifics regarding the distribution format for Switch 2 (such as Game-Key Cards) remain unconfirmed, the campaign has been lauded for its comprehensive reward structure and attention to collector preferences. The original Nightmare Busters achieved a unique legacy, releasing exclusively for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 2013 – fourteen years after the console was discontinued.

Its late arrival limited its initial player base, but its inventive gameplay and vibrant art won it a dedicated following.

The upcoming remake aims to introduce a new generation of players to its frenetic run 'n' gun action, enhanced by modern design sensibilities and faithful preservation of the SNES aesthetic. According to current project timelines, backer rewards—ranging from digital downloads to elaborate collector’s packages—are expected to be delivered by September 2026.

As the campaign enters its final two weeks, all eyes are on whether the community can rally to secure Imamura’s creative input.

Nightmare Busters Rebirth stands as a testament to the enduring passion for SNES classics and the collaborative spirit of the retro gaming scene. For the latest updates, visit the official Kickstarter page and stay tuned to Nintendo Switch news outlets for ongoing coverage.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo SNES Switch 2 Switch Xbox Series X|S Nightmare Busters Nightmare Busters Rebirth Kickstarter Takaya Imamura Time Extension