Get your clubs, axes and maces ready, because Joe & Mac Retro Collection is bringing three classic Data East games back to modern platforms on October 29.
Red Art Games has confirmed that the collection will launch digitally for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam. The publisher has also revealed that physical editions are planned for Nintendo Switch and PS5 in early 2027.
The physical release will be available in Standard, Deluxe and Rock Editions. The Standard and Rock Editions will be sold through multiple European retailers, while all three editions can be pre-ordered through the Red Art Games online shop.
The Rock Edition includes a copy of the game, a retro-inspired box, an acrylic stand, a three-badge set, a sticker sheet, a double-sided poster, an instruction manual and an additional sticker sheet exclusive to Red Art Games.
The Deluxe Edition is limited to 500 PEGI-rated copies per platform and is exclusive to Red Art Games’ website. It includes the game with a reversible cover, an exclusive sleeve featuring alternate cover art, an instruction manual and a sticker sheet.
Developed by Red Art Games’ internal studio, Red Art Studios, Joe & Mac Retro Collection brings together three games from the series that originally appeared on Super Nintendo between 1991 and 1995: Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja, Congo’s Caper and Joe & Mac 2: Lost in the Tropics. The collection also includes the original uncensored Japanese versions alongside the Western releases.
Joe & Mac: Caveman Ninja is a run-and-gun platformer that follows the titular cavemen as they battle their way through 12 prehistoric stages using a variety of weapons and tools. While the Western release was censored, the collection allows players to experience the original Japanese version.
Congo’s Caper shifts the focus to Congo, a half-human, half-monkey character who sets out to rescue his girlfriend from a demon. The side-scrolling action platformer features 35 levels to work through.
Joe & Mac 2: Lost in the Tropics adds light role-playing elements to the formula. Alongside battling cavemen and dinosaurs, players can court and marry their Stone Age girlfriend and even have a child.
The collection also adds several quality-of-life features designed to make the classic games more accessible on modern hardware. Players can use save states to make progress easier, rewind gameplay after making mistakes and choose from customizable aspect ratios. An optional CRT filter is also available for those looking for a more authentic retro presentation.
A new Boss Rush Mode gives players another way to tackle the games, while Joe & Mac 1 and 2 support two-player co-op. The collection also includes a Virtual Unboxing Experience that lets players examine original game boxes, manuals and cartridges, along with an in-game music player featuring the soundtracks from all three titles.
With three Super Nintendo-era games, uncensored Japanese versions, new features and multiple physical editions on the way, Joe & Mac Retro Collection looks to offer a comprehensive way for fans to revisit the classic prehistoric action series.