Earlier this year, it seemed likely that the legal teams for both Rockstar Games and Nintendo detected a shift in the gaming landscape, something akin to the careful arrangement of countless pixels that evoke their beloved franchises without crossing any legal lines. Their interest was piqued by the announcement of Vice: Magic City Mayhem—definitely not Vice City: Magic Mayhem, as my mind insists on noting—but as the quirky nature of this game became clear, those eyebrows likely returned to a more relaxed position.
Created by Jurassic Sunset Games, who previously garnered attention for the prototype Rumblefest—an homage to Punch-Out—this title offers a unique blend: the retro-chic flair of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City paired with the action-packed top-down gameplay reminiscent of the classic Legend of Zelda series. This isn’t just me overanalyzing creative influences; it reflects the core concept highlighted in the game’s Kickstarter.
“A Zelda-inspired adventure combined with GTA vibes,” Jurassic Sunset proclaims. “It’s a top-down 8-bit retro action/adventure game infused with the essence of Zelda, set against a Vice City backdrop,” they further elaborate.
Gameplay Overview
Imagine a development team taking cues from nearly every successful open-world title from the last decade, and merging them into a vibrant anime-style game where you embody Spider-Man while navigating a Yakuza-inspired world alongside a bunny girl. While fascinating, Vice: Magic City Mayhem stands out with its own charm and style.
“Venture through Magic City, battling an eccentric array of foes and end bosses as you hunt for your top floozy (the Princess),” the developer teases. The clever parodies escalate from this premise, including a moment in the trailer where a wise older woman bestows critical advice upon the hero, Dutch, declaring, “You ain’t getting nowhere without yo shit,” before handing over a sword with a casual, “Take this.”
According to Jurassic Sunset, Vice: Magic City Mayhem is already about 80% complete; they are currently seeking a Kickstarter boost to finalize the project and add some finishing touches. As of now, they have raised nearly $7,000 of their $10,000 target with 21 days remaining, showing promising momentum.
Features and Release Details
On Steam, Vice: Magic City Mayhem touts “8 Bitchin’ Dungeons” and a “raunchy adventure” filled with humor. At its core, it captures the essence of classic Zelda gameplay—think sword slashes, bombs, unique items, and heart pickups for health. Yet, the overall aesthetic invokes a nostalgic vibe of a bygone era, showcasing cityscapes that unfold in layers akin to areas from downtown streets and the notorious “Bling Kong’s Nightclub.”
The pixel art is appealing, and the soundtrack delivers a satisfying crunch, making the initial glimpses quite encouraging. Scheduled for release across all platforms in an unspecified timeframe during 2026, I remain hopeful that this project has navigated the necessary legal considerations to securely exist in a space of originality and innovative transformation, keeping the imagined legal teams of Rockstar and Nintendo metaphorically frozen in place. There’s significant precedent for games inspired by both GTA and Zelda, after all.
As a side note, the month of October is seeing a notable change as the developers of Mina the Hollower, an anticipated title akin to Zelda from the creators of Shovel Knight, have announced a delay while they state the game is “so close to being finished.”