Anyone who grew up playing video games in the '80s, '90s, and early 2000s will remember the name Acclaim.
Seeing their logo pop up the moment you booted up a new game became a familiar sight, and it was thanks to them that so many classics were brought to the West. Gamers owed a lot to Acclaim, but sadly, things eventually changed. In September 2004, Acclaim filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, its assets were sold off, and the industry saw the end of an era.
That is, until over twenty years later.
In 2025, Acclaim rose from the ashes and announced its full return as a publisher. With a new team spearheading the revival, they have partnered with multiple indie developers to help make their dreams a reality. Of course, this isn't exactly the same Acclaim the world once knew, but their ideals remain as this new team carries on the torch first lit in 1987.
With this revival, we here at Netto's Game Room were given the opportunity to speak with Marc Anthony Rodriguez (Director of Publishing & Strategic Partnerships) to learn more about the company and its plans moving forward.
Hello, and thank you for taking the time to speak with me! My name is Ben, and I'm one of the founders of our gaming site, Netto's Game Room. To start things off, could you tell our readers a little about yourself?
Absolutely, and thanks for having me. I have spent most of my career working alongside AAA/AA & independent developers, helping them take creative risks and bring meaningful games to market. My role at Acclaim is focused on publishing strategy and partnerships, which really means making sure creators have the support, clarity, and respect they need to do their best work. I am a builder by nature. I like helping teams find their footing, sharpen their voice, and ship games they are proud of.
Seeing Acclaim return after all these years was an instant blast from the past. I spent much of my childhood watching the iconic logo flash across the screen, and I always think back to all the times I spent playing these games with my friends and family. With the revival, do you think Acclaim will have the same impact on players today as it did back then?
I think the impact will be different, but just as meaningful. The original Acclaim mattered because it put bold, distinctive games in front of players at a time when the industry was still finding its voice. Today, players are more informed and more selective, but they are also hungry for games with personality and intent. If Acclaim earns trust again by consistently championing strong creative visions, that impact will follow naturally.
With the initial lineup of games, you seem to be hitting a wide variety of genres: RPGs, platformers, sports, and even rhythm games. Was your goal to offer something for everyone, or did the stars just happen to align in such a way?
It was less about covering every genre and more about representing different creative perspectives. We are drawn to teams that have a clear point of view and something to say through their gameplay. When you follow that instinct, you end up with variety. Not because it was planned on a spreadsheet, but because creativity is diverse by nature.
Many of the titles on display were instantly nostalgic for me. HYPERyuki: Snowboard Syndicate pulled me back to SSX with a Jet Set Radio style mixed in, and Basketball Classics reminded me of the time the local movie rental store gave me NBA Jam instead of Cool Spot! Both games already mean something to me, but do you feel these titles will hook new players without the nostalgia factor?
Very much so. Nostalgia might open the door, but it does not keep people playing. These games work because they feel good to play, they are built to be evergreen, existing in a time & place that never was but feels very known at the same time. The controls are sharp, the ideas are confident, and the presentation is expressive. A new player does not need to know what inspired them. They just need to feel that spark when they pick up the controller, that is the feeling that you are playing, Acclaim.
With so many unique titles, what would you say is the single defining feature that makes an Acclaim game, well, an Acclaim game?
Intent. An Acclaim game knows what it is trying to be and commits fully to that vision. It does not chase trends or smooth out its edges to please everyone. Whether it is loud, strange, heartfelt, or hyper focused, it feels authored. That sense of confidence is the through line. Retro Future Nostalgia driven, and pure fun through and through.
Quite a few Acclaim classics are still alive today, but do you think they could return and be a part of the Acclaim label again?
Acclaim has a deep history, and that history matters. That said, we are very deliberate about how we think about legacy. Any return would need to feel respectful, purposeful, and creatively justified. The name alone is not enough. If something comes back, it has to earn that moment. There are never any closed doors, just need the right opportunity to arise.
When it comes to new titles, the world of gaming has changed quite a bit since Acclaim first entered the scene. Back then, nearly everything was something new or fresh simply because it hadn't been done before. In today's world, however, a lot of ideas are recycled, and sometimes developers are afraid of taking risks to stand out. Is this something Acclaim hopes to avoid?
Yes, but not recklessly. Risk does not mean chaos. It means backing creators who are willing to make strong decisions and not dilute their ideas out of fear. Some of the most exciting games today are not reinventing everything, but they are reframing familiar ideas with conviction. That is the space we want to live and thrive in.
What are you personally most excited for when it comes to the revival?
The conversations. Getting to sit across from developers who have been grinding for years and telling them, we believe in this, and we are going to help you bring it to players the right way on every platform available Console, PC, we are building for all gamers. That moment never gets old, and it feels especially meaningful under a banner that meant so much to so many people.
Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
Just that our entire new team is taking this seriously. We are not trying to recreate the past, and we are not trying to be everything to everyone. We want to earn trust by showing up consistently, supporting great creators, and shipping games with soul. If players feel that, then we are doing our job. We have years of experience both behind and in front of us, and when you build with Acclaim, you in essence, become masters of the game.
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