Volcano Bytes is the neo-retro game project of Borja De Tena. It creates games with the clarity and constraints of classic hardware, from original ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC releases to Playdate, PICO-8, PC and modern console titles. Projects range from solo experiments to collaborations with exceptional programmers, artists and musicians: RetroGaming from the Future.
The culmination of the Trasmoz trilogy: a "lost" arcade experience built around a 16-color palette, 16x16 sprites and a YM2203 FM soundtrack.
OPEN GAME PAGE ->A single-screen arcade platformer with 1-2 player co-op and the debut of Mutamin. The published game information records five Amstrad Eterno 2024 awards.
OPEN GAME PAGE ->The first chapter of the trilogy: a single-screen arcade platformer rooted in the legends of Trasmoz, Spain.
OPEN GAME PAGE ->A co-op arcade shmup expanded from the original PICO-8 project with new ships, worlds, bosses and modern platform releases.
OPEN GAME PAGE ->A monochrome roguelike RPG made specifically for Playdate, developed with Dani Diez and ZCorbs.
OPEN GAME PAGE ->The one-month solo 1GAM project where the Volcano Bytes catalogue began: a compact horizontal space shooter.
OPEN GAME PAGE ->Revenge of Trasmoz won five awards: Best Game, Most Original Game, Best Soundtrack, Best Arcade Game and Best Physical Edition.
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ->Galactic Wars EX and The Curse of Trasmoz are featured in La Enciclopedia Homebrew, published by Dolmen Editorial.
DOLMEN EDITORIAL ->Revenge of Trasmoz was selected among the 50 best homebrew games for Amstrad CPC in Retro Gamer's 40th anniversary issue.
Under the Castle received 9/10 from Time Extension. Revenge of Trasmoz received 86% from Retro Gamer UK and 83% from Retro Gamer España.
TIME EXTENSION REVIEW ->Polyplay released cassette and disk editions for ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC. Galactic Wars EX reached modern consoles through JanduSoft and EastAsiaSoft, with PS4 and PS5 editions by VGNYSoft and Red Art Games.
VGNYSOFT PS4 EDITION -> RED ART GAMES PS5 EDITION ->A custom Trasmoz Legends arcade cabinet is on permanent display at El Templo del Arcade in Madrid.
EL TEMPLO DEL ARCADE ->Selected highlights are supported by the linked publications, announcements and game pages. Additional press references can be added as they are documented.
"Easily one of the best Playdate titles released so far."
UNDER THE CASTLE // 9/10 // Time ExtensionREAD REVIEW
"The Curse of Trasmoz has the power to entertain us for a good few hours and even, after finishing, we return to it from time to time."
THE CURSE OF TRASMOZ // Ready and PlayREAD REVIEW
"Un juego Indie del género arcade sencillo en su propuesta audiovisual, pero precioso y muy divertido de jugar."
TRASMOZ LEGENDS // 8.5/10 // ErreKGamerREAD REVIEW
"A seriously cool shoot 'em up ... an expanded version of the PICO-8 original."
GALACTIC WARS EX // Indie Retro NewsREAD ARTICLE
"Revenge of Trasmoz stands out enormously thanks to its highly polished gameplay and the addiction it provokes, especially in two-player games."
REVENGE OF TRASMOZ // 83% // Retro Gamer EspañaPRINT REVIEW
"This is great fun with excellent graphics and sound ... a high-quality production for the Amstrad CPC."
REVENGE OF TRASMOZ // 86% // Retro Gamer UKPRINT REVIEW
Selected editorial coverage. Quotes are short excerpts; please use the linked publication for full context and attribution.
Game screenshots, cover art and physical-edition photography for the ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, PICO-8, Playdate and modern releases are available through the game pages. Official publisher press kits are also available for selected modern releases.