City Hunter Remake: Everything We Know

After 35 years of waiting, an iconic anime hero is stepping back into the gaming spotlight. City Hunter Remake has been officially announced, reviving the lone 1990 City Hunter video game for a new generation. Are we really about to join Ryo Saeba on the streets of Tokyo once again, this time with features? When a beloved classic gets a second life, questions abound: What’s new in this remake, and how will it honor the original? Will it stay true to the old-school action or add something fresh? From the anticipated release date and supported platforms to details about gameplay and story, here’s everything we know so far about City Hunter Remake.

What is City Hunter Remake?

City Hunter Remake is a modern revival of a very retro game. Back in 1990, Sunsoft released the one and only official City Hunter video game for the PC Engine (a Japan-only console), making it a rare gem for fans. Now, as part of the franchise’s 40th anniversary celebration, that classic title is being remastered and brought worldwide for the first time. This isn’t just a straight port with the dust brushed off – the developers are infusing it with a mix of nostalgia and modern improvements. For example, the new version will feature full multi-language support (English, Japanese, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Korean, and Chinese) so that fans all over the globe can enjoy it without any language barriers.

For those who aren’t familiar with City Hunter, it began as a hugely popular anime and manga series in the late ’80s. It follows Ryo Saeba, a gun-for-hire nicknamed the “sweeper,” who takes on dangerous jobs across Tokyo’s underworld. The original anime blended crime drama, comedy, and stylish shootouts, and the game aimed to capture that vibe in pixel form.

Story

Ryo Saeba is the central figure of City Hunter Remake. He isn’t a detective in the usual sense – he takes on the toughest jobs in Tokyo, from hunting down criminals to protecting clients who have nowhere else to turn. His life is risky, unpredictable, and often laced with humor because of his carefree personality. At his side is Kaori Makimura, his loyal partner who adds both heart and balance to Ryo’s dangerous lifestyle. Their bond, filled with both trust and comic tension, drives the story forward.

What’s intriguing is that the game’s plot isn’t a rehash of any specific manga chapter or anime episode. It’s an original side story inspired by the first season of the anime. In this new adventure, our main protagonist faces off against a sinister megacorporation whose secret conspiracy threatens the entire world. That means we can expect a high-stakes narrative with plenty of villains to take down.

Gameplay

City Hunter Remake retains the classic side-scrolling action of the 1990 original, as shown above. This means players can expect old-school 2D action where you move left to right through stages, taking out bad guys in true retro fashion. Back in the day, the gameplay was essentially a side-scrolling shooter – you guided Ryo through levels, blasting waves of thugs with his gun and performing the occasional jump or dodge. Don’t expect complex combos or RPG-like progression; the charm here lies in its simplicity and arcadey feel. In fact, the original game even had some mild adventure elements: you could enter rooms, talk to NPCs, and collect key items to unlock new areas. The remake will likely preserve that straightforward gameplay with a focus on action and exploration.

So, how will it feel to play the remake of City Hunter in 2026? Probably a lot like stepping into a time machine (in a good way!). The developers have hinted at quality-of-life improvements to make the experience smoother on modern hardware. This could mean tighter controls, a cleaner UI, or maybe adjustable difficulty settings – basically, tweaks that keep the game fun and accessible today without losing its 8-bit/16-bit era charm. If you’re a fan of retro side-scrollers like Contra, City Hunter Remake will scratch that nostalgic itch. And if you never played the original, get ready to experience a slice of gaming history. It’s the kind of straightforward, pick-up-and-play action that defined many anime-based games in the early ’90s.

Development

The remake of City Hunter is the result of a three-way collaboration that blends history with modern expertise. Sunsoft, the studio behind the original 1990 release, is back to lend authenticity, while Clouded Leopard Entertainment is handling global publishing and localization to ensure fans everywhere can play without barriers. The actual development is led by Red Art Games, a French company known for bringing retro and indie titles to modern platforms. Together, the teams are not just reviving a forgotten gem but adapting it for a global audience, adding quality-of-life upgrades and new languages.

Trailer

The trailer offers a glimpse of the return of City Hunter. It shows Ryo Saeba in action with short clips of side-scrolling combat and classic 2D gameplay. The soundtrack features “Get Wild” from the original anime. If you haven’t watched it yet, the video is embedded above.

Release Date, Platforms and Editions

City Hunter Remake will release worldwide on February 26, 2026 as a digital title. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, the new Switch 2, and PC through Steam. A physical release follows in Europe on March 26, 2026. Three editions are planned: Standard, Collector’s, and a limited Deluxe Edition. Only 500 Deluxe copies will be made for each platform, sold exclusively on Red Art Games’ online store. Pre-orders are already live, so collectors may want to secure their copy before stock runs out.