New games for original Game Boy hardware are still arriving in 2026. The King's Return, developed by French team Towea Studio and published physically by Broke Studio, is a medieval action-platformer made for the Game Boy Color. Its boxed cartridge edition has launched, although the publisher's shop currently shows it as out of stock.
A new quest for an old handheld
The story begins when a king returns from war to discover that the chamberlain entrusted with his kingdom has turned its inhabitants into monsters. Bringing his people back means reclaiming their stolen souls across a castle filled with dangers.
Rather than sticking to one style of play, the adventure moves between platforming, forced-scrolling sequences and shoot-'em-up action. Towea Studio lists six worlds containing five levels each, six bosses with distinct patterns, three difficulty settings and a save system. Finishing the main journey also opens up extras including a timed Boss Rush, an album and a jukebox.
A cartridge release, not just a downloadable ROM
The physical edition is listed at €50 through Broke Studio's Homebrew Factory shop. It includes a new cartridge, cardboard tray, full-colour box and manual, plus a ROM file and digital manual. As of 19 October, the publisher's product page marks the boxed edition out of stock; that could change, so check the official listing for availability rather than assuming orders are open.
The publisher says the game has been tested on original Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Advance SP hardware, and expects it to work on Analogue Pocket. Compatibility with clone systems is not guaranteed. Curious players can try a free browser demo and download demo files through Towea Studio's official page.
Built by people who still love the format
Towea Studio describes The King's Return as its first retro-console project. The small team originally considered monochrome Game Boy development before switching to Game Boy Color for the additional creative possibilities. It's a useful reminder that the handheld's hardware limits are still inspiring entirely new games, not merely reissues of old favourites.
Console Revive take
Physical homebrew releases give collectors a reason to keep original handhelds repaired, upgraded and in regular use. We particularly like that this one offers a proper cartridge and manual while still making a demo available. If you're building a setup for original Game Boy and Game Boy Color cartridges, our restored Game Boy Advance SP with an IPS screen is another way to enjoy compatible games on original Nintendo hardware; The King's Return itself is sold by Broke Studio, not Console Revive.