The Sega Master System may be four decades old, but developers are still creating ambitious new games for the original hardware.
Razing Core, from homebrew developer Badcomputer, is a brand-new vertically scrolling shoot ’em up built for the Master System and Sega Mark III. The complete digital release arrived on 8 September 2026, following an earlier playable demo, and the game has now received a full review from long-running Sega specialist Sega-16.
A new game built for Sega’s 8-bit hardware
Rather than being a modern game simply styled after the Master System era, Razing Core is designed to run on the original platform. The developer says it works with Master System and Mark III hardware, while compatible Mega Drive/Genesis setups can also run the ROM through suitable flash-cartridge hardware.
The game contains seven stages and uses a custom engine developed by Badcomputer, with tooling and low-level support from devkitSMS. Its systems include upgradeable weapons, a rechargeable Core attack, a Burst Charge mechanic, mid-bosses and large screen-filling bosses.
Designed to be approachable without losing the old-school feel
The release includes three difficulty settings, boss checkpoints and infinite continues. That makes it rather more welcoming than many period shoot ’em ups while still retaining score chasing, weapon upgrades and the limited-input design associated with Sega’s 8-bit controller.
A free first-stage demo remains available for anyone who wants to try it before buying the full digital version. The developer has also said that a physical cartridge edition is planned for 2027.
Why releases like this matter
Modern homebrew is increasingly becoming part of the story of retro hardware rather than merely an interesting side project. Developers now have decades of documentation, community-built tools and hardware knowledge to draw on, allowing old consoles to receive software that simply did not exist during their commercial lifetimes.
For the Master System in particular, a substantial new shoot ’em up is notable. Sega-16’s 21 September review highlights how the console’s shooter library was historically less prominent than the Mega Drive’s, making a polished new entry especially interesting for owners of the original machine.
Console Revive take
This is exactly the kind of homebrew release that keeps retro hardware from becoming a museum piece. Preservation is hugely important, but it is equally fun when developers use that preserved knowledge to make something genuinely new.
Razing Core also demonstrates why maintaining working original consoles, controllers and modern display setups still matters: there are new experiences being made for machines that were supposedly finished decades ago.
Sources
Badcomputer — official Razing Core project page
Sega-16 — Razing Core review, 21 September 2026
SEGAbits — release coverage, 8 September 2026
