Founded in the United Kingdom, Bitmap Bureau Ltd. specializes in developing high-quality retro games for modern and legacy platforms. The studio is best known for the chaotic 2D platformer 88 Heroes, released in 2017, and the arena shooter Xeno Crisis, which was designed for retro systems like the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive before being ported to modern consoles.
To achieve the frantic pacing of
88 Heroes, the studio designed a mechanic where players are randomly assigned one of 88 distinct characters upon starting a level or dying. Each character possesses unique movement attributes and offensive capabilities, requiring rapid adaptation to navigate the game's 88 rooms within an absolute 88-minute time limit. This design philosophy was extended to physical retail markets with the 2020 release of
88 Heroes [Code in Box], targeting collectors and console players.
For
Xeno Crisis, the development focused on replicating the strict technical constraints of 16-bit hardware, utilizing assembly language to optimize performance on original cartridge media. The game features procedurally generated room layouts, a tactical roll mechanic, and a heavy emphasis on ammo management. Its subsequent ports in 2020 and 2021 expanded its reach to platforms like the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Evercade, establishing the studio's reputation for bridging the gap between legacy hardware preservation and contemporary game distribution.