Rebellion's has just released a surprise remake of a classic '90s game on Steam

Speedball 2: Brutal deluxe is a must-have for those of a certain age. Speedball, created by the Bitmap Brothers exclusively for the Amiga is a futuristic sport with no holds barred. It's like blending hockey, rugby, and UFC in a blender. Two teams will batter each other to death while throwing the ball about an enclosed arena, trying to score goals.

The Sniper Elite series is best known by Rebellion. Today, they launched a reboot: Speedball, which is now available in early access via Steam (PS15/$20). Below, you can watch the launch trailer.

Rebellion describes this as "a brand-new entry in the legendary Bitmap Brothers Series" set in 2138. Speedball, once a brutal underground sport, has reached unprecedented heights in popularity and profitability. It is the only sport where two cybernetically enhanced teams can go head-tohead at speeds and violence that are beyond human limits, where any moment could mean a player's death.

Speedball 2 is all about speed. It was a game that had a high skill ceiling, but it was also incredibly fast. With two players, the pace was dizzying. The new Speedball game is fast. However, it is in full 3D. It is not as intense as the 2D (2.5D?) version. The original top-down version is back, with "visceral takesdowns" and a slowmo mode for particularly brutal moments.

The management side has also been reimagined: Brutal Deluxe is named after the team you would take to the Speedballing heights. Picking players and formations were part of the strategy. The new Speedball lets players plan out their teams based on "stars’ strengths, weaknesses and cybernetic enhancements" and tailor them for all-out aggressiveness (yes!). The new Speedball lets you plan all this based on "stars' strengths, weaknesses and cybernetic augmentations" and tailor teams for all-out aggression (yes!)

Early access is available, but the game already has AI opponents and local multiplayer. The game has a 12-month roadmap leading up to its 1.0 release. It currently plans to add "team and draft systems, player/manager progression, Career Mode and skill-based matchmaking, leaderboards, and new cosmetics, Skins, Arenas and more."

I didn't see this one on my bingo card. I like how Rebellion has chosen to play with this one. The Speedball name is still a bit of a draw for me, but it's so long since Speedball 2 that all we've had since then are remakes of the game (there's one good one on Steam). A hype cycle would have made little difference. But a reboot from nowhere? For those who are familiar: get ready!