The ultimate flying disc tournament Windjammers will return for a sequel on January 20, 2022! Although it was first announced in 2018, developer and publisher Dotemu kept fans updated over the past three years with constant updates. With the game’s official release around the corner, here’s everything we know about Windjammers 2.
Tossing the first disc
The first Windjammers game is a beloved cult-classic, originally released for the NEOGEO arcade system in 1994. After many years, Dotemu ported it onto PlayStation 4, PS Vita and Nintendo Switch with additional features. The fast-paced arcade sports game sets two players face-to-face in the ultimate disc throwing competition.
While the concept is simple, Windjammers challenges players to master their throwing and sliding skills in order to become the world’s best player. In matches, each player must throw discs at their opponent’s goal zone to score the most points. In fact, some have described the game’s mechanics as blending Street Fighter with Pong.
Dotemu states that Windjammers 2 will combine everything fans loved from the first game with new stages, players and power moves. The new game will also implement enhanced gameplay mechanics. In addition, Windjammers 2 will feature a beautiful art style with hand-drawn 2D animations.
Compete from home and around the globe
Windjammers 2 aims to create the ultimate arcade sports experience. Although the online multiplayer in Dotemu’s modern port of the first game was ambitious, lag bogged the experience down.
As a result, the developers aim to enhance that experience for the sequel by implementing updated online gameplay modes. Windjammers 2 will also support cross-play between the PC and Xbox versions and cross-gen play between PS4 and PS5. They are additionally featuring a local PVP mode as well.
The developers first showed off gameplay in early 2019. You can watch the official gameplay reveal below.
To add variety, Dotemu also announced the returning minigames Dog Distance and Bowling. In addition, they will implement a brand new Arcade Mode. In February this year, they released a new trailer that reveals how the new arcade mode will play.
Alongside the returning Arcade Mode from the first game, Dotemu showcases their brand new bonus game Disc Attack. The mode appears to be a form of training, similar to a batting cage. The footage shows a machine launching a barrage of discs that the player must knock back to score points.
Windjammers 2 builds off what made the first game so rad
Dotemu Brand Manager Adrien Marie explains that Windjammers 2 holds a special place for the developers as their first game completely produced in-house. Their passion for the project bled into every aspect of development from the very beginning. Marie states that in order to recreate the charm of the original game, the team investigated and studied its code from 1994.
The solution then was to disassemble the original code and try to understand how it worked, in order to find answers – or as my colleagues called it, ‘archaeologist work’. Deciphering code from 1994 was key to capturing the essence of Windjammers!
Adrien Marie
In addition, the developers aimed to build further off of what the first game started. One way they did this was through creating new arenas that added elements to gameplay. Marie states one of the most notable new courts is the casino. This arena adds a new layer to Windjammers 2 by randomly selecting the point value for the disc before the kick-off. The value can range from one to eight points and changes throughout the course of the game.
They also added new abilities and moves to provide deeper gameplay. One new mechanic is the ability to jump to catch a disc mid-air. In addition, players can now perform slapshots and dropshots to catch opponents off guard.
Meet the challengers
In addition to new mechanics and courts, Dotemu also significantly expanded the game’s character roster. Windjammers 2 will feature a cast of both new and returning players.
Since first announcing the game, Dotemu posted a couple of character-themed trailers to introduce the cast. Each trailer features the characters in gameplay and showcases their unique special moves. You can view each of the trailers below.
Loris Biaggi & Jao Raposa
Loris Biaggi is a brand new character for Windjammers 2. A lifelong athletic legend, Biaggi hits the courts with some impressive blocking and shooting skills. Jao Raposa is also new to the game. After watching the original Windjammers’ Steve Miller dominate the court during his childhood, Raposa became inspired to become a Windjammers legend himself. The Brazilian athlete boasts Miller-inspired special moves with his own unique twist.
Sammy Ho & Jordi Costa
Sammy Ho is a brand new character with a unique background. After spending time as a gardener in China, Ho decided to become an athlete and enter into the Windjammers tournament. His mid-range agility and powerful throws make him a formidable opponent in the game. In addition, he can channel dragon’s energy for a ferocious special attack. The trailer also showcases the returning Jordi Costa. Costa will return with his signature court-crossing slides and powerful strength.
In addition to these characters, the other confirmed characters include:
- Gary Scott
- Hiromi Mita
- Klaus Wessel
- Max Hurricane
- Sophie De Lys
- Steve Miller
Each of the characters feature their own strengths and weaknesses including speed and strength. Dotemu published a graph that displays the disc-speed data for each of the characters. The speed also changes depending on the player’s timing. The later you throw the disc, the slower the speed.
The Ultimate Collector’s Edition
Dotemu is partnering with Pix’n Love Publishing to bring physical editions of Windjammers and Windjammers 2 to Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4. In addition, you can purchase The Ultimate Collector’s Edition, which comes packed with lots of goodies alongside the games. The collector’s edition comes with two “shockbox” boxes, an exclusive artbook, 16 lithographs, two OST in CD format, and a cardboard box with hot foil stamping.
In addition, anyone who pre-orders a physical copy of Windjammers 1 & 2 will receive a collectable Windjammers frisbee. Pix’n Love Publishing opens pre-orders today!
Mixed reception from the beta
The developers launched a free-to-play open beta for a limited time this August. For ten days, players could test the Ranked Online mode of the game. The beta offered four playable characters: Steve Miller, Gary Scott, Loris Biaggi and Sophie De Lys. In addition, players could choose between four stages: Beach, Ring, Stadium and the brand new Rooftop.
Fans reacted to the beta in the official Discord server. Overall, the reviews were mixed. Most players enjoyed the gameplay of the beta and believe that the new game is a natural evolution of the original Windjammers. However, for many, the enjoyment was bogged down by a ping issue that resulted in lag. In addition, players noted a glitch where audio doubled up at the end of sets.
Dotemu: revitalizing retro classics for modern audiences
The French developer and publisher behind the modern Windjammers port and highly anticipated sequel Windjammers 2 has specialized in revitalizing retro games since 2007. Some of Dotemu’s other notable works include Streets of Rage 4 and Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap. In addition, they are currently working alongside Tribute Games on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge and Leikir Studio on Metal Slug Tactics.
Windjammers 2 – An Arcade Legacy in 2022
To celebrate the upcoming launch, Dotemu also shared a documentary giving an intimate and in-depth view on the game’s entire development process. The film is a celebration and love letter to the Windjammers IP, as the developers discuss their challenges and triumphs in creating their very first original title. You can watch Windjammers 2 – An Arcade Legacy in 2022 below.
Windjammers 2 flies out to you in January
Dotemu originally slated Windjammers 2 for a 2019 release date. However, it has since been delayed multiple times: first to 2020 and then to 2021. Fans can now rejoice as Dotemu officially confirmed the release date for January 20, 2022.
Windjammers 2 will fly out to PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Google Stadia and PC. In addition, it will be available on Game Pass for Xbox and PC. You can also add the highly anticipated game to your Steam wishlist now. Additionally, you can pre-order physical copies of Windjammers and Windjammers 2 for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 from Pix’n Love Publishing!
Are you excited for Windjammers 2? Let us know below!
