It was not until September 2024 that Microids released the first images of Cobra, a project based on Buichi Terasawa’s work who passed away unexpectedly last year. Since the announcement made one and a half years ago, fans of the manga have been curious about what kind of game Microids would produce, and now it has been confirmed: it will be a side-scrolling game reminiscent of titles such as Metroid, Contra, or more recently, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. After reviewing comments on our site, Twitter account, and Facebook page, it is clear that fans were not expecting a Metroid-style game.In 2024, with the PS5 Pro and Unreal Engine 5 available, there is an expectation for visually stunning games. However, budget constraints and technical expertise must also be considered. It seems likely that despite their passion and desire to excel, Microids faces limitations due to financial constraints. While I do not know the exact budget for Cobra, opting for a 2.5D side-scrolling game certainly reduces resource requirements compared to a third-person shooter (TPS), which would necessitate extensive cinematics and motion capture costing millions of euros.Nevertheless, it is important to consider that if Microids had no interest in developing Cobra, who else would have taken on the project? Honestly, nobody. This situation is similar to Goldorak; the 2023 game exists because there are enthusiasts within Microids dedicated to preserving the spirit of bygone eras. It should be noted that I am not suggesting this approach is without its drawbacks—such as artistic challenges faced with Goldorak—but despite these hurdles, there are genuine desires at play, unfortunately limited by inadequate budgets.
As a result, what about Cobra? Cobra is even more complicated. While Goldorak speaks to childhood and the hero who shaped French Japanimation later on, Cobra touches upon the sacred. The characters, the universe, the story, the jazzy-funky music, memorable action scenes, the psychogun or Rayon Delta in the French version, Cobra’s rogue flow inspired by Jean-Paul Belmondo… No, Cobra is a matter of the sacred domain, and seeing it enter the video game scene through the back door is somewhat disappointing.
Microids has entrusted the development of “Cobra” to Magic Pockets, a French studio based in Torcy, department 77. Although Magic Pockets is not widely known by the general public, it has been active for over two decades. The studio’s first major project is “Cobra,” as they have previously worked on mobile and portable console adaptations of titles such as Léa Passion, Tim Power, Bakugan, Mini Ninjas, Popeye, and Catwoman. These adaptations were often for larger publishers. This new venture represents a departure from their usual work pattern. It’s similar to the creative direction taken by Endroad, another studio based in Nantes, with their project Goldorak…
Based on current information, the game will cover the first 12 episodes of the animated series, taking players to the planet Zados where an incredible treasure is hidden within a pyramid. However, it appears that rug-ball gameplay will not be included, which may disappoint some fans. Those familiar with the manga and anime know that Cobra will confront Sandra in her search for the ultimate weapon—an egg-shaped eye—granting her transformation into a golden colossus. This challenge forces Cobra and Armanoid to double their intelligence to overcome her. A significant moment, one hopes it will be faithfully reproduced in Microids’ game. Given its Metroid-like gameplay structure, there is curiosity about how Sandra’s power can be effectively showcased. Nevertheless, with Microids’ commitment and the developers at Magic Pockets working on this project, fans anticipate a quality game despite budget constraints, as the potential for an engaging experience remains high.
As I mentioned at the beginning of the video, some journalists had the opportunity to test the game at gamescom on Microids’ stand. The feedback indicates that the game successfully immerses players in the nostalgic atmosphere of the 1980s anime. All characters appearing in the first twelve episodes are included in the game, as confirmed by the game’s producer, Nouredine Mohammed Saad, who was a producer on Goldorak alongside Julien Hubert, known to you as Julo. Therefore, the Glass Man will be featured in the game, and it is hoped that his treatment has been done with the utmost fidelity and care, considering him as a crazy antagonist. Of course, mentioning Crystal Boy implies the inclusion of the Royal sisters, and this has also been confirmed: Dominique, Jane, and Catherine, along with their back tattoos, will be part of the game.
In the Famitsu article, Microids is reported to have obtained permission from rights holders to use images as they are. The game will include cinematics to connect missions, raising the question of whether these sequences will be animated and polished or static and potentially less engaging like those seen in Goldorak. This consideration is important. Additionally, the game will feature 20 missions that revisit major scenes from the anime, including Cobra’s base, the city, prison, and even the cemetery.
In terms of gameplay, Famitsu reports that Cobra can utilize his Delta Ray and alter its trajectory. This is demonstrated in the teaser where it functions like a remote-controlled missile, capable of eliminating multiple enemies simultaneously. Additionally, there will be a charged attack option to deliver increased damage and explosions. However, the Psychogun won’t be Cobra’s sole weapon; he also has access to his classic pistol, along with other gadgets such as his cigar, which can serve as a flashlight. In one episode, Cobra uses his cigar as an oxygen bottle, raising the question of whether this scenario will appear in the game. Among the additional details provided by Famitsu, it is mentioned that the Cobra game will support co-op play, allowing a second player to control the original Cobra before he undergoes surgery.
Space Adventure Cobra Awakening, developed by French studio Magic Pockets and published by Microids, is scheduled for release in 2025 across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch, as well as PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The game will be available in three languages: Japanese, English, and French. It remains unclear whether Jean-Claude Montalban has been cast to voice the iconic Cobra character in the French version. We hope that Space Adventure Cobra Awakening will provide an enjoyable gaming experience, even if it does not meet all expectations.
