Kool Brands LLC

Kool Brands LLC is an American video game publisher and hardware manufacturer, widely known for its retro-reissue brand Retro-Bit.

Action

HQ

Reno, United States

Known for

Retro Gaming Hardware / Accessories

9

Games

1989–2023

Years

2

Platforms

$99.99

Ø CIB

+33%

24M change

About

Under its Retro-Bit brand, Kool Brands LLC specializes in publishing physical re-releases of classic retro titles. The company has distributed modern cartridge editions of classic games such as Gaiares, El Viento, Truxton, Super R-Type, and various entries in the Valis series, including Valis III and Syd of Valis.

Operating within the broader ecosystem of the Mega Man and Joe & Mac franchises, the publisher's catalog preserves seminal action and shoot-'em-up history. The company secured licensing rights to offer authentic, officially sanctioned reproductions for legacy Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo Entertainment System hardware. This preservation effort brought Truxton (1989) and Gaiares (1990) to modern collectors, ensuring these high-difficulty shooters remained accessible alongside mainstream platforming contemporaries.

The publisher's output heavily emphasizes narrative-driven action, notably through the localized preservation of the Valis series. Releases include Valis III [Collector's Edition] (1990), the standard Valis III (1991), and the specialized Valis III [Retro-Bit] (1991) edition, alongside the chibi-style spin-off Syd of Valis (1992). These titles, alongside the cinematic platformer El Viento (1991) and the SNES port of Super R-Type (1991), serve as mechanical cousins to the run-and-gun gameplay of the Mega Man and Joe & Mac series. By producing high-quality physical cartridges complete with original artwork, packaging, and instruction manuals, the company maintains the physical legacy of these 16-bit era milestones for retro gaming enthusiasts.