Elevate your Sega Genesis / Mega Drive experiences with this pong-like arcade game

Want to play a new game on your Sega Genesis/Mega Drive? Check out Paddles of Nuclear Gunnery. It's similar to Pong and is for 1 to 2 players.

Elevate your Sega Genesis / Mega Drive experiences with this pong-like arcade game
Playing Far Cry 6 on a laptop

Play a new game on your Sega Genesis: the Paddles of Nuclear Gunnery. It’s a Pong-like shooter game, but the paddle can move in 8 directions. Flashing colors and a retro-inspired soundtrack add to the fun.

Got an old Sega Genesis or another emulator at home? Well, if you love Sonic the Hedgehog games, NHL ’94, and Vectorman, there’s a new title you can add to your lineup. It’s called the Paddles of Nuclear Gunnery. A fun, edgy arcade experience, this game is a whole new take on a classic arcade game.

Experience a new kind of Pong

At first glance, you may think you recognize this game. Yes, there are paddles and a ball you have to deflect, but the similarities end there.

Actually, the Paddles of Nuclear Gunnery has its own storyline. Here it is: the year is 19849, and NEON powers most technology. Your objective is to fight it.

What do you fight it with? Your futuristic ship, the PADDLE. It moves in 8 directions and has firepower. But you’re not alone. Other pilots compete with you until one of you is victorious.

Check out the arcade gameplay

So how do you play? Score points for yourself by bouncing the ball onto your opponent’s side of the screen. Meanwhile, you can get weapons and a shield for when you spend points. You can even blast your opponent with lasers.

There’s also no maximum score, and the objective is to achieve the highest amount of points. The action is fast-paced and twitchy, full of neon light and sound-bumping action.

Paddles of Nuclear Gunnery
Sega Genesis with game cartridge (Image Credit: Joshua Doherty, Unsplash)

Play advanced and easy arcade modes

Meanwhile, this Pong-like shooter game lets you play according to your level with both easy and hard modes. So, if you’re a beginner, you can learn as you play through modified gameplay.

Then, more advanced players will feel challenged by the quicker speed of the advanced arcade mode. And, of course, it gives new players something to work toward.

Amp up the fun with other modes on this retro-inspired game

To increase the enjoyment, the Paddles of Nuclear Gunnery also has an endless survivor mode and versus modes to make solo and multiplayer games challenging yet enjoyable. There are also a bunch of gameplay modifiers you can change in the options.

For example, you can change speed, rules, and add or remove specific techniques. This gives you a certain level of customization over the game.

Fund the physical cartridges of this game for Sega Genesis

The Paddles of Nuclear Gunnery is already complete as a digital copy. The Kickstarter campaign hopes to fund physical game cartridges, which some players have asked for.

As a game cartridge, it would enhance the game’s retro feel, adding authenticity to any video game night with friends.

Get this shooter game’s digital ROM

This Pong-like shooter game is also available as a digital ROM. It lets you play the file on anything that runs the correct emulator. Otherwise, you can copy it onto a flashcart and play it that way.

Order the physical USB

Maybe you want physical media but don’t own a Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. No worries, the customized, collectible USB key comes preloaded with the ROM, giving you flexibility on other devices.

Play to the beat and pulsing light

Taking a design cues from the past, this Pong-like shooter game features pulsating neon styles and a colorful grid background. It feels just like playing a 90s video game.

Meanwhile, the soundtrack is super fun to hear while you’re playing. It combines sounds from classic games with newer reimagined beats and modern electronic notes.

Grab this fun game for your collection

If it’s been a while since you played on your Sega Genesis/Mega Drive, then it’s time to dust it off. The Paddles of Nuclear Gunnery is a wonderful new take on Pong, heightening the challenge—and fun—with its modes, bright graphics, and sound.

If you love retro games and want to try a new take on one, the Paddles of Nuclear Gunnery is worth buying. Preorder the physical cartridge for $40 on Kickstarter.

What are your favorite retro games? Tell us in the comment section!

Lauren has been writing and editing since 2008. She loves working with text and helping writers find their voice. When she's not typing away at her computer, she cooks and travels with her husband and two daughters.
Join the Discussion

You Might Also Like

From news to technology: the fuel to our true crime obsession

From news to technology: the fuel to our true crime obsession

True crime has long captivated the human imagination, a peculiar blend of horror and intrigue that keeps us coming back for more. But what is it about true crime that draws us in so deeply? Is it the thrill of..
Unistellar ENVISION Review: day and night vision binoculars with AR info overlay

Unistellar ENVISION Review: day and night vision binoculars with AR info overlay

When my husband and I go hiking, we navigate using maps on our phones or smartwatches. We bring binoculars, too, but have to cross-check what we see with information from our devices. It ends up being quite a hassle that..
Sleeping Duck Indestruct Bed review: eco-friendly bed for back pain

Sleeping Duck Indestruct Bed review: eco-friendly bed for back pain

When buying a bed, I usually focus on the mattress, not the frame. But after just 5 years, my pricey mattress started sagging in the middle, and I woke up with back pain. I was puzzled because I had spent..
Go green with these 7 must-have eco-friendly home gadgets

Go green with these 7 must-have eco-friendly home gadgets

Want to go greener at home? You’re definitely not alone. In 2021, nearly half of consumers worldwide preferred products with a clear sustainability focus. As we all become more aware of how fossil fuels contribute to climate change and how..
Back-to-school shopping list for college students: must-have laptops, water bottles & more

Back-to-school shopping list for college students: must-have laptops, water bottles & more

College starts at the end of August. Whether you’re a freshman just starting out or beginning your senior year, you want to step on campus with the right stuff. To help, I’ve crafted a back-to-school shopping list for college students..
Who has the best perfume dupes? Dossier vs. Oakcha

Who has the best perfume dupes? Dossier vs. Oakcha

Perfumes are a luxury—an intimate way to tell your story through scent. Dossier and Oakcha are 2 standout brands for fragrance lovers. Whether you’re new to the world of perfume or looking to add to your collection, understanding whether these..