Developer Maple Powered Games and publisher Freedom Games are bringing back seminal 1980s property GI Joe in a retro-style arcade “beat ’em up” called GI Joe: Wrath of Cobra. The new game is set to debut on the Nintendo Switch and Steam in early 2024. This is the first GI Joe video game since 2020’s GI Joe: Operation Blackout, by IguanaBee and Fair Play Labs, which was met with commercial and critical apathy.
According to the Wrath of Cobra‘s publisher, players will “join a beloved cast of G.I. Joe characters on a globetrotting mission to thwart Cobra’s forces.” The Joe team is vast and you can “form squads of up to four players online or in local couch co-op in either Story or Arcade Mode across iconic franchise locations like The Pit and Cobra Island.” Like the arcade beat em ups of yesteryear, you “devise powerful combos fitting each character’s skill set,” and “activate special abilities to turn the tide of battle against Ninja Vipers, HISS Tanks, the Crimson Guard, and more of the Cobra Commander’s malicious minions and save the world once again!”
The game’s trailer hints at a cast of Joes including Duke, Scarlett, Snake Eyes, Gung Ho, Roadblock and more, battling Cobra troops of all kinds. The above Screenshot also shows Timber fighting alongside Snake Eyes. The Cobra forces look to be led by Destro, Baroness, Dr. Mindbender, Zartan and Cobra Commander. The music in GI Joe: Wrath of Cobra is created by Johnny Gioelo and Tee Lopes, with Kid Katana.
Maple Powered Games co-founder Kerry Vandenberg said, “G.I. Joe is an absolute classic franchise with one of the best fanbases. Working on this game is a dream come true and it’s been a blast creating the game I’ve always wanted to see for G.I. Joe. We’re honored to give G.I. Joe fans the video game they deserve with the most authentic experience possible.”
GI Joe: Wrath of Cobra is set to drop in Q1 2024 for the Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam.
