Publisher and developer Relevo are working on Bullfighter NEON, a NEO GEO era arcade action game that has you bullet-hell fight a cyber bull.

Based in Bilbao, Spain, Relevo are trying to create a retro homage in Bullfighter NEON to both arcade classics and a piece of their cultural heritage – the Plaza de Toros de Vista Alegre, where bullfighting has been held since 1882.

The main difference here, of course, is that Bullfighter NEON features a mechanized bull that fires lasers and missiles at your robotic fighter, whose only means of defeating the bull is your neon-muleta. Successful parries of the bull’s attacks with your muleta will slowly deplete its battery, eventually resulting in your victory.

Bullfighter NEON is currently on Kickstarter seeking $30,000 to ship the game sometime in December 2022, for Windows PC (via Steam). Console ports are planned, but only if the game reaches those stretch goals.

Here’s a trailer:

Here’s a rundown on the game:

Inspired by the future Cyber-Sport Arcades of the 90s, Bullfighter NEON takes bullfighting and adds robots, lasers, and sunglasses to create a wacky spin on it. This game is a true retro-future arcade experience, featuring intense gameplay and frantic action!

Bullfighter NEON features 6 unique characters to choose from. Complete the Bullfighter Circuit and defeat all of the cyberbeasts, each with their distinctive attack patterns, in arenas with different environmental dangers.

Choose to play in Story Mode where each character has their own unique ending and the cyberbeasts and arenas have been paired to create a hand-crafted gaming experience. Or go wild with the multiple other game modes. Play solo or work together with a friend. Select a game mode, mix-and-match cyberbeasts with arenas, and adjust various settings to create your ultimate challenge.

Key Features

•  16-bit retro-inspired arcade game experience in the style of 90s future cyber-sports games.
• 6 unique characters to choose from, each with their special moves and different stories to unveil.
• 10 cyberbeast! After you defeat the 8 cyberbeasts, each with their distinctive attack patterns and behaviors you must understand and master, there are 2 extra final bosses for an epic challenge.
• 4 different arenas with different environmental dangers plus an extra final arena to fight the final enemies.
• Different game modes, from single-player to local co-op multiplayer.
• A variety of configuration options for you to choose from if you want to go the hardcore old-school way or a more relaxing experience.