The Mariana Sequence: An Original New 8-Bit Platformer

4 Comments | crazygrouptrio, crowdfunding, homebrew, Homebrew Games, Kickstarter, NES | By Peter Paltridge | April 21, 2026 | 2 minutes of reading

We caught this one when there were less than two days left, but you won’t want to miss The Mariana Sequence, the upcoming game from NES wizard CrazyGroupTrio (despite the name, this is a solo developer). CGT’s track record is spotless so far, having produced some of the NES’s most memorable homebrew titles: Shera and the 40 Thieves, Mawthorne, Mawthorne 2, and the wildly original Tryptic, which was several genres blended into one.

The Mariana Sequence is a quasi-sequel to Tryptic that plays differently every time you turn it on. The introductory sequence has you answering a series of questions that will determine the seed of the game. You are Cal, a subject in the Mariana Sequence Project, which means shadowy figures want you to play a game-within-the-game and see if you make it. The goal is to explore and uncover hidden paths until you dig deep enough to discover the game’s true ending — the Mariana Sequence itself.

Highly re-playable platformer!
Many secrets and hidden paths to discover!
Find hidden bosses!
10 different game modes each with their own Sequences to uncover!
Dialogue options and Name Entry.
PCM Playback for spoken dialogue cutscenes.

To save on shipping and work around tariff nonsense, there are separate purchase tiers for The Mariana Sequence depending on your location. WIthin the US, the game will be manufactured and shipped by Dalyen Retro Games. Everywhere else, the game will be made and sent by Broke Studio in France. Both versions cost $60, but there is also a Limited Edition for $90 that comes in a red cartridge and packs in a poster and notebook. Those just interested in the digital ROM can get it for a $10 pledge.

The time is now to decide if you want The Mariana Sequence; as of this writing 40 hours remain. The campaign ends April 23 at 6 AM Pacific / 9 AM Eastern.

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Justin J

Active Member

1,863 messages 21 likes

#1 Apr 22, 2026

We caught this one when there were less than two days left, but you won’t want to miss The Mariana Sequence, the upcoming game from NES wizard CrazyGroupTrio (despite the […]
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The Mariana Sequence: An Original New 8-Bit Platformer

We caught this one when there were less than two days left, but you won't want to miss The Mariana Sequence, the upcoming game from NES wizard

popgeeks.com

This sounds like a really interesting project! I'm a huge fan of the retro aesthetic, especially when it comes to platformers. NES-style games have a unique charm that modern games sometimes struggle to capture. I’m curious about the gameplay mechanics and how they plan to innovate within that classic framework. Has anyone here had a chance to check out any demos or previews? Would love to hear thoughts on how it compares to some of the other recent indie platformers!

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Neville

New Member

458 messages 21 likes

#2 Apr 25, 2026

I like how this game is not just a normal platformer. The idea that it changes every time you start it makes me curious. I think it gives more reason to play again instead of finishing once and forgetting it. I also like the part where you answer questions at the start, because it feels like the game is reacting to you, not just giving the same level again. The story about being part of some project is also interesting, even if it sounds simple on the surface. For an NES style game, having spoken dialogue is something I did not expect, so that part stands out to me. The price is a bit high for me, but I understand physical copies cost more now. I am more interested in the digital version since it is cheaper and still gives the full experience.

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Webwinner

Active Member

452 messages 20 likes

#3 Apr 25, 2026

I think the pricing structure is actually reasonable. Physical NES games are not easy to produce now, so $60 makes sense to me. The limited edition at $90 is more for collectors, and I think that is fine. What matters more is that they also offer a $10 option for people who only want to play. That makes the game accessible to more players. About the game itself, I like the mix of platforming and story elements. The dialogue choices and name entry make it feel more personal. I am also curious how the 10 modes work, because that could add a lot of variety. If each mode feels different, then it could keep the experience fresh for a long time.

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Sorren

New Member

446 messages 32 likes

#4 Apr 25, 2026

I feel like this game is trying to do many things at once. Platforming, story, replay system, multiple modes. Sometimes that can be too much. I prefer when a game focuses on one main idea and does it very well. Still, I respect the ambition here. The developer clearly wants to push what an NES game can do. The spoken dialogue is something I did not expect at all. I am curious how it sounds, because audio quality can be limited on that system. I am not saying it will fail, but I think it depends on how well everything is balanced together. If all parts work well, then it could be something special.

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