The 8-bit shmup ‘Changeable Guardian ESTIQUE’, born in the 21st century, arrives on Steam and Consoles!
AMATA K.K.(Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Hiromichi Takahashi) is pleased to announce the decision to release “Changeable Guardian ESTIQUE” on Steam and consoles (Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation®5, and Xbox Series X|S) under our indie game publishing brand, AMATA Games.
Furthermore, the Steam store page is now live as of today.
■“Changeable Guardian ESTIQUE” is coming to Steam and consoles!
“Changeable Guardian ESTIQUE” is the ultimate 8-bit shmup created in the 21st century as a completely new title for the Nintendo Entertainment System (hereafter “NES”) ROM cartridge.
Released in December 2024, it also made headlines for bringing together a star-studded team of creators known for their work on classic Shmup.
AMATA Games will port and distribute ‘Changeable Guardian ESTIQUE’ originally developed as an NES ROM cartridge, to Steam and consoles so that more people can enjoy this title.
The Steam/Console version includes both the NES/FC versions with their differing storylines, and features a gallery mode where you can enjoy printed materials and various visuals.
◆Simple Yet Deep Game System
This side-scrolling shooter features six stages themed after cities around the world.
The super-variable robot “Estique” can transform at any time between the “Fighter Form,” which has a small vertical hitbox, and the “Robot Form,” which nullifies terrain damage and excels at recovery. Mastering the strategic switching between these two forms and two types of equipment is key to clearing the game. Furthermore, the scoring system utilizing the “Super Weapon” special attack—activated by rapid-firing the shot button—adds depth to the gameplay.
With a life system that regenerates over time and the removal of power-ups, the game design prioritizes accessibility. A strategic shooting experience awaits you, enjoyable for everyone from beginners to advanced players.
◆Story
In the year 2413, the Earth was invaded by evil space pirates “Van-De-Raus”. They are dominating 5 big economic cities and taking control of the world economy.
Friendly planet, Petelgeuse, decided to save the Earth from space pirates and send reinforcement. Ace pirots, Mary and Kanon, ride on ESTIQUE and now launching to the Earth. Mary, you must be the messiah of the Earth. A tomorrow winner is you!
◆Shmup professionals come together to this game!
Staff with extensive experience in the development of shmup are involved.
Takayuki “Jemini” Hirono (Zanac, The Guardian Legend, Gun-Nac) as programmer.
Hiroki “Daigattai” Kodama (Power Strike II for GG, Spriggan mark2) as production design.
Satoshi “Pac” Fujishima (Final Justice, Gulkave, Guardic) as Jemini yudo + SE.
Shinichi Sakamoto (Wonder Boy in Monster Land, Psychic 5) as composer.
Shinji Hosoe (Dragon Spirit, Ordyne) as composer.
Ayako Saso (Rolling Thunder 2, Galaxian 3) as composer.
Kenki Fujioka (Advance of Z, mecha design) as main visual.
ANO Shimizu (Kendo Rage, Chojin Heiki Zeroigar) as cartridge visual.
Kouji Kenjou (Cosmo Gang: The Video, Emeraldia) as game advisor
Junya Inoue (Esp Ra.De., Death Smiles) as petit adviser
◆Features of the Steam/Console Version
・Fully includes both the NES version ‘Changeable Guardian Estique’ and the FC version ‘超翼戦騎エスティーク’, which features different stories and some graphics.
・Quick Save & Load and Rewind functions make it accessible even for those less skilled at shooters.
・Full controller support ensures comfortable play anytime.
・CRT filter recreates the nostalgic look of a CRT television.
・Includes Gallery Mode. Enjoy the instruction manual, box art, and cartridge visuals.
◆Steam Store Page
https://store.steampowered.com/app/4078160/
◆“Changeable Guardian ESTIQUE”Game Overview
Title: Changeable Guardian ESTIQUE
Genre: Thrilling Entertainment Robot Shmup
Compatible Models (Planned)：Steam, Nintendo Switch™, PlayStation™5, Xbox Series X|S（Xbox Play Anywhere compatible）
Distribution Store (Planned)： Steam, Nintendo e-shop, PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store
Number of Players: 1
Supported Languages (Planned): Japanese, English, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional)
Price: TBD
Release Date: 2026
Rating: Pending
Developer:Cat Hui Trading LLC
Distribution：AMATA Games
Official Website (AMATA Games)：https://amata.games/en/game/estique
Copyright Notice＠：©Cat Hui Trading LLC Licensed to and published by AMATA Games
※For the original ROM cartridge version of “Changeable Guardian ESTIQUE,” please refer to the URL below.
◆About AMATA Games
AMATA Games is the brand that publishes indie games operated by AMATA K.K.
AMATA K.K. is a game development company with the mission “To make the world more entertaining”.
Having gained experience developing and publishing VR Escape-the-Room Game Last Labyrinth as an indie game, we at AMATA wish to spread the joy of indie games more by making it possible to enjoy fun games on all kinds of hardware.
Therefore, we launched our publishing brand AMATA Games in August 2021 based on our belief that we can support indie game developers by taking charge of multi-platform porting and operations for good indie games that we find “Super fun!” so that we can share their appeal to more people.
As of now, we operate our proprietary titles Last Labyrinth, The Tale of Onogoro as well as NOSTALGIC TRAIN and Backpack Twins, and Organ Quarter.
◆About AMATA K.K.
Company Name: Amata K.K.
Representative: Hiromichi Takahashi, Company President, and Representative Director
Address: Arma Building, Kita-Shinjuku 1-4-1, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 169-0074, JAPAN
Established: June 25th, 2008
Business: Game Business & others
Official Website: https://amata.co.jp/en/
About Amata K.K.: Founded in Tokyo in 2008, Amata K.K. has helped develop smartphone titles for a wide variety of world-renowned Japanese game companies over the years. With many staff having over 20 years of game industry experience, Amata has become a trusted one-stop shop for planning, developing, and operating games across a variety of platforms. While keeping the focus on game development, Amata has also begun to expand into VR, video, media, and other forms of entertainment.