Red Art Games is set to release the Joe & Mac Retro Collection on October 29, bringing three beloved Super Nintendo titles back to life on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam. Developed by Red Art Studios, the publisher’s in-house development team, the compilation brings Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja, Congo’s Caper and Joe & Mac 2: Lost in the Tropics into one package, covering the entirety of Data East’s prehistoric action series from the early 1990s.
Each of the three games has its own distinct flavor. Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja is a run-and-gun platformer that sends the duo through 12 levels armed with an assortment of prehistoric weapons. Caper of the Congo focuses on a half-human, half-monkey boy on a mission to save his girlfriend across 35 different levels. Joe & Mac 2: Lost in the Tropics then goes further by incorporating light role-playing elements, including the ability to woo a Stone Age partner and start a family. This is a surprisingly ambitious set of ideas for a 16-bit platformer.
Beyond simply re-releasing the originals, Red Art Studios has equipped the collection with a range of modern features. Players will have access to save states, a rewind feature, customizable aspect ratios, and an optional CRT filter for those who want to turn to nostalgia. An all-new Boss Rush mode has also been added for players looking for a greater challenge. Notably, the collection includes both the uncensored Western and Japanese versions of all three games, meaning that some content removed from the Western versions in the 1990s will finally be accessible to a wider audience.
There is also a strong multimedia element to the package. A virtual unboxing experience allows players to browse the original boxes, manuals and game cartridges, while an in-game music player provides access to all three soundtracks. Both Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja and Joe & Mac 2: Lost in the Tropics support two-player local co-op, which should make the collection appealing to those who want to share the experience.
For collectors, physical editions are planned for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 in early 2027, including the Standard, Deluxe and Rock editions. The Rock Edition comes with extras such as an acrylic stand, a set of three badges, a double-sided poster and an instruction manual. The Deluxe Edition is limited to 500 PEGI-rated copies per platform and is exclusive to the Red Art Games online store. The digital version arrives October 29, 2026. For review keys and additional information, content creators and press can visit pressengine.games/joe-mac-retro-collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What games are included in the Joe & Mac Retro collection?
The collection includes three titles: Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja, Congo’s Caper and Joe & Mac 2: Lost in the Tropics. All three were originally developed by Data East and released for the Super Nintendo between 1991 and 1995.
On which platforms is the Joe & Mac Retro collection available?
The Joe & Mac Retro Collection will launch digitally on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series
Is the Joe & Mac Retro Collection multiplayer?
Yes, Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja and Joe & Mac 2: Lost in the Tropics both support two-player local co-op.
Does the Joe & Mac Retro Collection include the original Japanese versions of the games?
Yes, the collection includes both the uncensored Western and Japanese versions of all three games, restoring content that was removed from the Western versions.
When is the Joe & Mac Retro collection released?
The digital version will be released on October 29, 2026. Physical editions are planned for early 2027 and can be pre-ordered on the official Red Art Games online store.
