It may have taken fifty years, but fans of The Rocky Horror Show can finally indulge in a retro, sidescroller video game adaptation of the midnight movie staple.
The Rocky Horror Show Video Game is designed and developed by Sam Beddoes of FreakZone Games and produced by Joshua Viola and Klayton (Celldweller) of Metal X Entertainment/Bit Bot Media and contains vintage 8-bit graphics and chiptune renditions of many of the favorite songs from the musical.
The Rocky Horror Show Video Game recreates scenes and dialogue from the original stage play, allowing players to control Brad, Janet, and Dr. Scott, as they navigate the challenges of Dr. Frank N Furter and his minions.
We got the chance to speak to Viola about The Rocky Horror Show video game (which is now available as a digital release on all major consoles and Steam, with mobile platforms on the way) in this exclusive interview.
Where did the idea to create a vintage Rocky Horror Show game originate?
Joshua Viola: I initially set out to license a graphic novel, but around the same time, I teamed up with FreakZone Games on another retro 8-bit project. That’s when it hit me—there hasn’t been much representation of Rocky Horror in the gaming world. With the 50th anniversary approaching, it felt like the perfect opportunity to bring the IP back in a fresh, exciting way.
The game play in the trailer looks like a forgotten or lost game from the 80s. How does one go about capturing the exact feel of a classic 8-Bit game?
Viola: Retro sidescrollers have been enjoying a resurgence for years, and FreakZone Games has built a reputation for creating some of the best in the genre (Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures), so the project came together naturally. We collaborated with talented pixel artists, and Sam Beddoes, the lead designer, is truly an expert in capturing the essence of that classic era of gameplay.
When did you first discover Rocky Horror?
Viola: I first discovered Rocky Horror during a screening at Film on the Rocks, an outdoor venue at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater just outside Denver. Watching a classic movie under the stars in that naturally acoustic setting was a magical way to experience Rocky Horror for the first time.
Which version of one of the songs from the show is your favorite chiptune version?
Viola: That’s a tough choice—they’re all great and so, so catchy. But if I had to pick, “Time Warp” is definitely my favorite.
If the game was turned into a classic cabinet video arcade, what would it look like?
Viola: It would likely resemble other retro games of that era, much like our game—with vibrant colors and campy visuals of characters like Frank N Furter striking a dramatic pose against the mansion backdrop. And classic joysticks and buttons in hot pink and electric blue.
Favorite game play moment?
Viola: Hmm… there are quite a few standout moments, but I’m especially fond of the ending, which briefly parodies Mario Bros.—when the curtain rises and the cast steps out. Oh, and whenever Brad takes damage, he loses his clothes and runs around in his tighty-whities.
Upcoming projects?
Viola: We just launched a new game on Steam called Terror in the Corn, based on the haunted attraction in Eerie, Colorado. It’s a very creepy experience, perfect for the Halloween season—ideal if you’re looking for something spooky after doing the Time Warp… again. You can get it here.
