
A fair while back, Playmaji, the company behind the Polymega modular retro gaming system, announced that it would be bringing arcade games to the platform. It was presumed at the time that this would be via a Virtual Console-style digital storefront, but the company has just revealed that the first arcade games to hit the system will, in fact, be distributed physically.
"Polymega Collection is an ongoing series of important classic and contemporary games on physical media, playable exclusively on Polymega," says Playmaji. "Our editions include the original title game, its international releases, as well as additional examples of games that influenced the work and those which were eventually inspired by it."
The first two games in this collection are Asteroids and Karate Champ, and both are available for purchase today. They will ship within the next week.
Playmaji adds:
Each release includes one or more discs that are compatible with Polymega. The first is the primary game, in DVD format. Additionally, some releases include bonus game discs that can be played on original game consoles, as well. Each release is region free, and will work on Polymega regardless of where you are or what language you speak.
Unlike most modern game releases, Polymega Collection games include carefully crafted visual companions, reversible slip covers, obi-spines for international collectors, and more. And, exclusively for early adopters, a limited edition Polymega Collection pin is included with each release!
The best thing about Polymega Collection is that in many cases, we're bringing games to Polymega that would be otherwise unplayable using an element module, such as arcade games. Of course, we're also providing support for several new systems that might not otherwise be compatible with Polymega.
Asteroids ($40) includes the following games:
- ORBIT ARCADE
- GRAVITAR ARCADE/2600
- LUNAR LANDER ARCADE
- ASTEROIDS ARCADE/2600/7800
- ASTEROIDS DELUXE ARCADE
- SUPER ASTEROIDS & MISSILE COMMAND LYNX
- SPACE DUEL ARCADE

Karate Champ ($40) has the following titles:
- KARATE CHAMP ARCADE/NES/FDS
- KARATE CHAMP PVP ARCADE
- FIGHTER'S HISTORY ARCADE/SNES/SFC
- FIGHTER'S HISTORY DYNAMITE/KARNOV'S REVENGE ARCADE/AES/NGCD/SAT

Alongside these releases is the console's new "Immersive Mode," which aims to replicate the experience of playing in an amusement arcade.
"Starting a Polymega Collection Arcade game gives you a view that realistically presents the arcade machine as if you were standing in front of it, fully playable," says Playmaji. "From here you can enter the virtual display controls, and adjust your view to zoom out to see more of the machine, or even rotate your view and monitor so that you can see the arcade machine in its upright entirety, perfect for vertical shooters and other games you're sure to want to play as you build your Polymega Collection Library."

Playmaji says it's working with some of the world's leading video game companies to bring more titles to the Polymega Collection.
In addition to this, System Software Update 1.1.32 is almost here and brings the following improvements and features:
- New and Improved Virtual Display filters with multi-depth scanline modes, an improved Composite filter, and new RF and Black & White modes.
- Hundreds of new Atari 2600 and Atari 7800 games have been added to the Polymega database to get you ready for the release of the upcoming Atari Pro Module (details coming soon).
- Ability to permanently restore most of the original PM01 pack-in games that were removed in a previous update.
- Bug fixes for latency issues, unwanted noise effects, and more
Comments 15
@LowDefAl this immediately came to mind for me as well. They are tapping into the preference for retro folks for physical media, like Evercade, but the price seems awfully steep.
It could be a cool concept, but with the console and modules, the price points are tough to see as mass market given emulation alternatives.
Hopefully the software update fixes the latency issues - I have a hard time enjoying any 2D PSX games on my Polymega.
The Polymega perhaps still isn't for me, but this honestly pretty cool!
I like the idea. Give me some NAOMI/Atmoswave stuff or mid 90s stuff. Scud Race!
This is the exactly Polymega problem. They keep announcing and releasing different bits and pieces when you can't even buy a Polymega.
Lots of things that have been announced that sound great but where are they? How do you buy them? Where is the app that seems to negate the need for their own hardware?
I have zero desire to own a Polymega and will never own one, but I gotta admit this is the way a collection should be put out. Every version on every platform that is feasible by the license. I'm a fan of Fighter's History, seeing them include both US & JP releases along with the NGCD and Saturn ports is not something I would have ever expected to see. That's the way a collection should be presented and I think they deserve some praise for that.
If they had any sense they'd format these collections in a way that it could play on a PC that way they're not limiting their buyers to such a tiny audience. I'd pay 40 bucks to buy that for PC if it was nicely packaged, even though emulating this stuff for free is one click away.
I feel the same other comments. Not sure Polymega is for me, but I like the concept here. Physical license ownership is the better way to go for sure. That price those. Ehhh. I mean, if you're really into it, then having those alternate version is probably the right way to do this. Seems like a rather niche audience though.
Still, I like the concept.
That's quite nice. A shame you need to guy a Polymega for it though. As usual home computer ports get ignored. These companies never seem to learn for some reason. 🤦♂️
Remember when you could pre-order a Polymega from Walmart? And then it got delayed? And delayed again? And delayed a third time? And then it all got cancelled and they told you to pre-order from them directly? And then got delayed, and got ... you get the idea. I got my money back and left them alone a long time ago. The preview consoles that were sent to influencers looked good, and the features seemed nice, but you're better off building a MiSTer for less money than they charge IMHO.
I wonder how Marvelous got involved in this...Wade's Atari of course will be all over this, but who at Xseed (and/or Paon cause Karnov is weird) did they have to meet with to get Karate Champ?
This is honestly a super cool way to release arcade games for a system like this. Obviously the digital market for arcade titles is much more accessible for people, but the PolyMega obviously leaning towards physical collectors makes this a super smart way to sell arcade games for a system that obviously can't connect physical arcade hardware, so selling them almost like little collections makes it a really cool way to make these more substantial. Its especially cool that they add console versions as well for all titles as well because I think that only helps to give context to the arcade titles and how they were portrayed differently at home.
For those getting the physical copies for their Polymega, better cross your hands and hope those are not just cheap burn disc. I know Playmaji is not like Limited Run Games but remember that these are the same people that originally claim Polymega was gonna used FPGA and then years later they cheap out by using emulation instead. I wouldn't trust these guys with their physical disc media game collections.
@MediaKing Exactly. What good are games that can only be played on a Polymega, when no one can get a Polymega?
I had tried to get one for years, before finally giving up.
@Serpenterror According to Twitter, they will be factory pressed https://x.com/polymegaHQ/status/1852556001956057193
@Zeebor15 G-Mode or whoever the company is that owns the corpse of Data East isn't too discriminating on who they license their IP out to. They've had Karate Champ on a ton of those rubbish My Arcade minis/handhelds, and gave Fighter's History (and Night Slasher) to whoever the scheisters were at Flying Tiger. They also did a Fighter's History SNES multi-cart with Retrobit. They'd let you make Karate Champ dog turd baggies as long as you fork over that fee.
@combywomby That's good to know. This is what Limited Run Games should learn from.
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