Key Takeaways
1. Game Overview: The Trial of Kharzoid combines brick-breaking gameplay inspired by Arkanoid with Metroidvania elements and boss fights reminiscent of Castlevania.
2. Developer and Release: Created by Canadian indie developer Pascal Belisle and published by Broke Studio’s Homebrew Factory, the game is set to release for the holiday season 2024.
3. Gameplay Features: Players navigate 80 levels in the spooky land of Xyleria, gaining new skills, facing bosses, and uncovering hidden secrets while controlling a magical skull.
4. Community Support: The game was funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign that raised over 42,000 Canadian dollars, indicating strong community interest.
5. Launch Details: The game will be available in a collector’s edition for €50 or $60, with a digital version priced at 10 Canadian dollars on Itch.io.
Decades after it first came out, the Nintendo Entertainment System’s enduring popularity continues with the revival of prototypes such as Xcavator 2025. This time, the newest addition to the NES collection comes from the homebrew community: The Trial of Kharzoid, a fresh “Arkaidovia” that combines the classic brick-breaking action of Arkanoid with boss fights that echo the style of Castlevania.
Development and Release
The Trial of Kharzoid was crafted by Canadian indie developer, Pascal Belisle, and is being published with support from Broke Studio’s Homebrew Factory, which has been involved in NES game ports since 2017. Arriving just in time for the holiday season, The Trial of Kharzoid shows that the NES library is still vibrant and evolving.
Gameplay Features
This game brings in Metroidvania-style progression while merging it with brick-breaking mechanics, allowing players to control a magical skull that holds the protagonist’s souls through an impressive 80 levels. Staying true to its Metroidvania origins, the title includes perilous traps, tough foes, and hidden secrets that players will discover through unique exploration and gameplay methods.
In this adventure, players will delve into the twisted depths of Xyleria, a spooky land transformed into a brick-breaking arena by the wicked necromancer, Kharzoid. As gamers advance through the stages, they will earn new skills and upgrades, face off against various bosses, and piece together the story of The Trial of Kharzoid by engaging with NPCs.
Nostalgic Elements
There are also some fun references to Castlevania, such as finding a cooked chicken hidden behind breakable bricks. Players can team up on their NES through a co-op mode to take down the “evil son of a witch,” Kharzoid.
Belisle started working on The Trial of Kharzoid several years ago and gained traction through a successful Kickstarter campaign earlier in 2024, which raised 42,684 Canadian dollars from 463 backers, surpassing its goal of 35,000 Canadian dollars.
Launch Information
By November 2025, the game was 95% complete, needing only final testing for the climactic battle against Kharzoid himself. Now, it has been finalized, and the Homebrew Factory is shipping its first batch of 60 units, priced at €50 or $60, based on the buyer’s location.
Each collector’s edition of The Trial of Kharzoid includes a colorful NES-style cardboard box, a new NES cartridge, a protective sleeve, an instruction manual, and a styrofoam insert. For those who prefer a cheaper option, the digital version of The Trial of Kharzoid is available on Itch.io for just 10 Canadian dollars.
Interestingly, Belisle has declared that he will not be creating a Steam port for The Trial of Kharzoid and is instead focusing on a sequel that will blend even more genres together.
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