Acclaim partners with Polycade to bring its growing library of indie gems to the modern multicade, starting August 20 with the radioactive roguelike Ground Zero Hero
LOS ANGELES — August 10, 2026 — Acclaim, Inc. and Polycade today announced a new partnership bringing Acclaim’s lineup of indie games to the Polycade platform, starting with the horde survival roguelike Ground Zero Hero when the game launches on August 20th.
Ground Zero Hero drops players into a vibrant, hand-drawn post-apocalyptic wasteland where hordes of mutants are waiting to be pummeled, crunched, and absorbed for their irradiated guts. As players battle their way through the irradiated wastes, they’ll unlock a growing arsenal of mutations and permanent upgrades, discover devastating combinations to become the ultimate freak.
In addition to Ground Zero Hero, Polycade Storefront versions of the indie-focused publisher’s titles, The Prisoning: Fletcher’s Quest, Basketball Classics, Katanaut, Pixel Washer, and GRIDbeat! will follow in the coming months, giving Polycade owners a growing library of Acclaim titles alongside their existing favorites for the company’s stable of modular arcade cabinets.
Designed for both at-home play and commercial use, Polycade is the ultimate multicade solution, with compact, versatile machines that offer endless playability thanks to their modular, swappable control panels and deep customization options. At less than half the size of a typical arcade cabinet, Polycade fits into more locations than any other machine on the market while still delivering the full-size play experience, and its software is built to be easy for novices and powerful for pros, letting owners load games from Polycade’s library, connect their own Steam account, or bring in their own ROMs.
“Acclaim is building a ton of rad new games, and we seriously can’t wait to bring them to Polycade’s platform! Our companies share the same DNA; a deep love for the golden age of gaming, the unforgettable experiences that defined it, and a desire to carry that magic forward for generations to come.” said Tyler Bushnell, CEO of Polycade.
The partnership builds on newly-relaunched publisher Acclaim’s continued push to bring its stable of indie titles to a wider audience.
“The Acclaim of yesteryear helped define an era by bringing arcade smash hits into player’s living rooms through home consoles. Today, we’re excited to come slightly full circle in a new & unique way. With Polycade, we’re bringing all generations of action-packed, fun, Acclaim indie games onto the home arcade space, honoring gaming’s past while creating new classics for today’s players.” added Marc Anthony Rodriguez, Director of Publishing & Strategic Partnerships at Acclaim, Inc. “Our goal has always been to meet players wherever they choose to play, and Polycade is reimagining what the modern arcade experience can be. This partnership gives our developers another meaningful way to reach players while continuing to grow the next chapter of Acclaim.”
Ground Zero Hero launches on Polycade, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, Nintendo Switch 2, and PlayStation 5 on August 20th. The Prisoning: Fletcher’s Quest, Basketball Classics, Katanaut, and GRIDbeat! will follow on the Polycade storefront in the coming months.
About Acclaim:
Originally founded in 1987, Acclaim established itself as a leading global developer, publisher, and mass marketer, bringing beloved franchises such as Mortal Kombat, Turok, and NBA Jam into homes worldwide. Today, Acclaim carries its legacy forward with an unwavering commitment to supporting talented indie developers and delivering high-quality, premium indie games to a global audience. Acclaim’s modern revival stands as a testament to the strength and enduring appeal of its iconic brand.
About Polycade:
Polycade designs premium modular arcade systems that bring together the best of retro arcade gaming and modern interactive entertainment in a single, beautifully engineered platform. Built for homes, game rooms, businesses, and entertainment venues, the platform combines premium hardware, interchangeable control modules, digital software, and a growing ecosystem of classic and contemporary games to deliver a truly modern arcade experience.
