PixelJunk is a series of downloadable games developed by Q-Games. The series made its debut on PlayStation 3 with PixelJunk Racers, released July 11, 2007.[1]
| PixelJunk | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Q-Games Double Eleven (ports) |
| Publisher(s) | Q-Games Sony Computer Entertainment (2007–12) Spike Chunsoft (2018) |
| Platform(s) | Android, Apple Arcade, Facebook, Google Stadia, iOS, Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, Wii U |
| First release | PixelJunk Racers July 11, 2007 |
| Latest release | PixelJunk Raiders March 1, 2021 |
The series was a collaboration with Sony Computer Entertainment, who released the games on PlayStation platforms until 2012, with Q-Games themselves publishing on other platforms and for PlayStation in Japan. Spike Chunsoft handled worldwide publishing for PixelJunk Monsters 2 in 2018.
Development
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PixelJunk is developed by Q-Games, headed by Dylan Cuthbert. The series began in 2007 with the release of PixelJunk Racers. While Racers was met with modest critical and commercial reception,[2] 2008 and 2009 saw the releases of the more popular, critically acclaimed titles PixelJunk Monsters, PixelJunk Eden and PixelJunk Shooter.
In an interview at TGS 2009, Q-Games stated that proper development on PixelJunk 1-5 would start in 2010.[3] A PixelJunk title known tentatively as PixelJunk Dungeons, and was in the conceptual phase of production in 2008.[4] Q-Games officially revealed PixelJunk 1-5 as PixelJunk Lifelike on September 16, 2010 during the SCEI's 2010 Tokyo Game Show conference. However, it was later renamed PixelJunk 4am. It is unclear if PixelJunk Dungeons is still under development.
On May 18, 2010 PixelJunk Shooter 2 was revealed on the official PlayStation blog due for release in 2011.[5]
Games
editSeries 1
editThe first series of PixelJunk games are all described by Q-Games president Dylan Cuthbert as having "simplicity, familiarity, and originality" in common.[4] Games in the first series are also two-dimensional and run in 1080p HD at 60fps.
| # | Title | Year | Platform(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-1 | PixelJunk Racers | 2007 | PlayStation 3 | An expanded version, 1-1a PixelJunk Racers 2nd Lap, was released in 2010. |
| 1-2 | PixelJunk Monsters | 2007 | PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, Windows, macOS, Linux, Wii U | An expansion, 1-2a PixelJunk Monsters Encore, was released in 2008. An expanded version for PSP, PixelJunk Monsters Deluxe, was released in 2009. A remastered version, PixelJunk Monsters Ultimate, was released in 2013. |
| 1-3 | PixelJunk Eden | 2008 | PlayStation 3, Windows | An expansion, 1-3a PixelJunk Eden Encore, was released in 2009. |
| 1-4 | PixelJunk Shooter | 2009 | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Windows, macOS, Linux | A remastered version, PixelJunk Shooter Ultimate, was released in 2014 combining both parts with updated graphics. |
| 1-4a | PixelJunk Shooter 2 | 2011 | PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Windows | |
| 1-4b | PixelJunk SideScroller | 2011 | PlayStation 3 | A full game based on the bonus level of Shooter 2 |
| 1-5 | PixelJunk 4am | 2012 | PlayStation 3 | Titled PixelJunk Lifelike during development. Compatible with PlayStation Move. |
| 1-6 | PixelJunk Nom Nom Galaxy | 2015 | PlayStation 4, Windows | Titled PixelJunk Inc. during development. |
Series 2
editThe second series was planned concurrently with the first. In 2008, Cuthbert suggested that games of the second series could "take some of the old 3D looks and bring them up to the full HD kind of style."[4] He later confirmed Series 2 would "venture into aesthetically pleasing 3D."[6]
| # | Title | Year | Platform(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-1 | PixelJunk Monsters 2 | 2018 | PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Windows | Two expansions, 2-1a PixelJunk Monsters 2 Encore and 2-1b PixelJunk Monsters 2 Danganronpa, were released in 2018. |
| 2-2 | PixelJunk Scrappers | 2020 | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Windows, Apple Arcade | An expanded version, PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe, is to be released in 2023.[7] Discontinued from Apple Arcade in 2023. |
| 2-3 | PixelJunk Eden 2 | 2020 | PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Windows | |
| 2-4 | PixelJunk Raiders | 2021 | Google Stadia | Discontinued with Stadia's closure in 2023 alongside Outcasters. |
Spin-offs
edit| # | Title | Year | Platform(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PixelJunk Monsters Online | 2011 | A free-to-play version of Monsters released as a social network game. Discontinued between 2013 and 2014. | |
| 2 | PixelJunk VR: Dead Hungry | 2016 | PlayStation 4, Windows | Compatible with PlayStation VR, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. |
| 3 | PixelJunk Eden Obscura | 2018 | iOS, Android | A "reimagining" of Eden that utilises the smartphone's camera to create background effects within the game. |
| 4 | PixelJunk Monsters: Trouble in Paradise | 2021 | iOS, Android | Titled PixelJunk Monsters Duo during development. |
PixelJunk Museum
editOn September 24, 2009, Q-Games released a virtual space for PlayStation Home. Titled PixelJunk Museum (PixelJunk Exhibition in North America), the space included virtual displays for PixelJunk Racers, PixelJunk Monsters, and PixelJunk Eden, as well as a virtual gift shop where users could buy PixelJunk and Q Games-branded Home items. A separate "room" featuring the interior of the "Ers Piñita Colada" space center from PixelJunk Shooter was added to the space on December 17, 2009 in the NA region.
The Japanese version of the space included an exclusive "Q-Games virtual public TGS Booth" — a recreation of the Q-Games booth at the 2009 Tokyo Games Show where users could claim a free T-shirt for their Home avatar.
References
edit- ^ "First PixelJunk Announced". IGN. July 11, 2007. Retrieved July 1, 2008.
- ^ "PixelJunk Racers Reviews". GameRankings. Retrieved July 3, 2008.
- ^ "PixelJunk 1-5 Development Starting Early 2010". Gaming Union. October 9, 2009. Archived from the original on October 13, 2009. Retrieved October 9, 2009.
- ^ a b c "IGS: Q Games' Cuthbert Reveals PixelJunk Eden, Postmortems Series". Gamasutra. February 18, 2008. Retrieved July 25, 2008.
- ^ Official Reveal
- ^ W, Tim (November 27, 2009). "Interviews: Erin Robinson, Frictional Games and More". IndieGames.com. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
- ^ "PixelJunk Scrappers Deluxe announced for PC". Gematsu. August 6, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2022.