A Brazilian retro game developer, Bitnamic Software, continues creating new games for the Atari 2600 to this day
Note: the original Japanese article can be found at:
https://www.4gamer.net/games/991/G999110/20251011006/
Editorial Department: huan | 2025/10/11 23:00 (UTC)
At the Brasil Game Show 2025 (BGS 2025) held in São Paulo, there was an unexpected sight: an Atari 2600. I stopped by the booth of Bitnamic Software, a developer still actively creating new games for this vintage console.
*Released in 1977 by Atari, the home video game system known as the “Atari VCS” (Video Computer System) was the world’s first cartridge-based gaming console. Although it later became widely recognized as the Atari 2600—alongside other models like the 5200 and 7800, and even systems such as Lynx and Jaguar—the 2600 remains the oldest among them and is essentially considered the progenitor of home video gaming.
Bitnamic Software operates from two bases in Brazil and Portugal, focusing on developing titles for classic retro hardware—systems so old they could be called “pre-retro.” Their primary audience consists of fans and collectors. Though their market size is small, they are sustained by passionate enthusiasts across the globe, including customers in Brazil, the United States, Europe, Vietnam, and Portugal.
[Recreating a 1980s Brazilian Homebrew Game: “Em Busca dos Tesouros”]
One of the displayed titles was a modern re-release of “Em Busca dos Tesouros (The Quest for Treasure)”, originally created in 1986 by a 15-year-old boy named Tadeu Curinga from Brazil.
Back then, Brazil restricted imports of electronic devices, leading domestic manufacturers to produce Atari clones like Daktar and CCS. Under these conditions, Curinga developed games using a home computer called the TK85 and sold them through magazines.
This action-adventure game features side-scrolling exploration where players collect treasures to progress. While simple by today’s standards—perhaps reminding Japanese users of the “Cassette Vision” system—the levels vary in layout and difficulty, delivering tight pacing and constant tension despite their brevity.
Thumbnail image No.008 / Brazilian retro game developer Bitnamic Software, still creating new games for the Atari 2600 Thumbnail image No.009 / Brazilian retro game developer Bitnamic Software, still creating new games for the Atari 2600
Official Website for “Em Busca dos Tesouros”
“Em Busca dos Tesouros” on itch.io
[New Game Developed Under Constraints: “Jataí: The Bee”]
The other featured title was a brand-new Atari 2600 game called “Jataí: The Bee.”
Created by Brazilian developer Fernando Salvio, this original work is inspired by the native Brazilian bee species known as “Jataí.” Players take on the role of a worker bee tasked with collecting pollen from flowers and returning it to the hive while defending against enemies like spiders and “lemon bees.”
The game consists of two phases. In the first phase, players fly through the air searching for flowers and gathering pollen—strategic decisions about which flowers to prioritize based on location and enemy placement are key. The second phase takes place inside the hive, where players must cooperate with fellow bees to store honey. If not timed correctly, enemies can infiltrate and destroy the nest.
Thumbnail image No.005 / Brazilian retro game developer Bitnamic Software, still creating new games for the Atari 2600 Thumbnail image No.006 / Brazilian retro game developer Bitnamic Software, still creating new games for the Atari 2600
The game is designed to run on actual Atari 2600 hardware, with a program size of just 32KB. All controls, sound effects, and dot animations were handcrafted, creating fresh rhythms and pacing within the constraints typical of the 1980s era. Available for sale on itch.io at €5.99, it’s also expected to run on Atari 2600 emulators.
Official Website for “Jataí: The Bee”
“Jataí: The Bee” on itch.io
[Beyond Nostalgia: Creating New Experiences from Old Constraints]
According to Bitnamic, Brazil still hosts a vibrant community of retro game developers and collectors. Events like “Canal 3 EXPO” showcase young developers actively using 1980s-era hardware—many inspired by parents who introduced them to Atari systems.
Among the products displayed at their booth was a limited collector’s edition priced at R$350 (approx. ¥10,000), with each unit hand-assembled and sold directly by the company in Brazil. Though small production runs drive up prices, this hands-on approach reflects their commitment to craftsmanship.
For “Jataí: The Bee,” a bee-shaped block included inside the packaging serves as a key—the box opens only when pierced with a needle. Thumbnail image No.001 / Brazilian retro game developer Bitnamic Software, still creating new games for the Atari 2600 Thumbnail image No.002 / Brazilian retro game developer Bitnamic Software, still creating new games for the Atari 2600
Bitnamic’s work goes beyond mere nostalgia. They are actively creating and selling new games for the Atari 2600, clearly committed to recreating and passing down the technology and culture of that era within today’s development landscape. As they put it: “We don’t just want to recreate nostalgia—we want to create new experiences using the limitations of old systems.”
Amidst the flashy displays at BGS, their booth stood out as unusual—but this quiet dedication to preserving older technologies carried undeniable presence.