BumbleBear Games, the studio behind Killer Queen Arcade, is preparing to bring ZOMBEEZ: A Killer Queen Remix to dedicated arcade hardware. The previously PC-focused game is being adapted with cabinet-specific features and is available as a limited-edition pre-order.
The news follows the 2024 CAX event, where BumbleBear’s existing arcade titles, Killer Queen Arcade and Black Emperor, were both on display. A tour of the event is available if you would like to click here to watch a tour.
A compact new BumbleBear cabinet
ZOMBEEZ uses a considerably smaller cabinet design than Killer Queen Arcade. It includes the same joystick and button setup used by Killer Queen, along with a 23-inch HD monitor. The cabinet also features side art by Harry Bogosian, who created the artwork for Black Emperor.
BumbleBear is adding a two-player mode, local high-score tables and an attract mode for the arcade release. As the game was originally created for PC., these additions are intended to give the cabinet a more complete arcade presentation.
Because the cabinet has one set of controls, the two-player feature may use alternating play. The supplied information does not confirm how that mode works, so this detail remains unconfirmed.
For operators and collectors comparing options, RETROCADE’s Arcade Machine Buying Guide offers useful context on choosing a cabinet, while the upright arcade range shows how different full-size formats compare.
Platforming, scrolling and boss battles
ZOMBEEZ is a spin-off from Killer Queen Arcade, retaining platforming while changing the structure significantly. Running and jumping now take place across scrolling stages, with boss encounters adding another layer to the action.
The game is built on the Killer Queen engine and sends players through an undead-filled adventure involving running, flying and combat. The eventual objective is a showdown with the Blood Queen, supported by new enemies and challenges created for this different style of play.
BumbleBear developed ZOMBEEZ during the period when COVID-19 closures severely affected bars, arcades and the wider Killer Queen community. The studio describes the project as a creative response to that disruption and as another way to bring players together face to face.
Pre-order details
The pre-order is described as a limited-edition run. Orders were scheduled to close on 31 August 2024, with cabinets expected to ship approximately nine months later, around April or May 2025.
The listed price was $5,995, plus freight and tax. Buyers can review the manufacturer’s pre-order information. Availability through distributors was not confirmed in the supplied details, so prospective operators should check directly before planning a purchase.
For Australian arcade fans considering a compact setup, bartop arcade machines provide another space-conscious format, while the RETROCADE Arcade Blog covers more developments across the arcade industry.
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