Mech Shooters Fun Again! FZ: Formation Z Available Today Via Digital Download on PC and Console
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- 4 min read
Transform Your Regular Shooter with the Newly Updated Japanese Classic, Arriving on Digital Today with Physical Versions Shipping on June 9!
Karlstad, Sweden – May 21, 2026 – Clear River Games, a video game publisher specialising in classic and retro games, in partnership with developers City Connection, today announced that the celebrated Japanese shooter FZ: Formation Z launches digitally today on PC (Steam®, Epic Game Store), PlayStation®5, Nintendo® Switch™ 2 and Xbox Series X|S.
A much-admired classic by all discerning shooter fans, the newly updated Jeleco® shooter will also be available to purchase physically on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2, starting June 9, 2026.
A staple of any well stocked arcade in the 1980’s, FZ: Formation Z gained a legion of fans thanks to its fresh yet frantic gameplay which sees gamers navigate Ixpel, a state-of-the-art transforming Mech, switching between Robot and Fighter Jet form on-the-fly as the player battles an endless horde of enemies intent on your destruction!
No mere simple port, Clear River Games and City Connection have taken this Jaleco classic and applied a fresh lick of robotic sheen to the release, as FZ: Formation Z returns with all new graphics and an irresistible new soundtrack by notable composer Daisuke Matsumoto. Retaining the cunningly addictive gameplay and intuitive controls that defined the original arcade game, gamers once again must go it alone, battling across five ever challenging levels of bullet mayhem, taking in the dazzling visual effects and using every tool at their disposal, including brand-new weaponry and more than a few surprises for fans of the original.
Suit Up and Start Shooting Today: Here’s what’s in store for those mad about Mechs!
Unique Transforming Gameplay: Rule the Land and conquer the Air! – Take control of the advanced Ixpel and transform in real-time between robot form (ideal for land) and jet fighter (conquering the air. Traverse five vast missions and carve out your own path to victory.
Customize Performance in The Factory - Use FZ Points earned in missions to unlock new Ixpel and cosmetic items. Enhance firepower by equipping modules into four available slots, and upgrade your Mech to reflect your personal preference, as you decide between well-rounded offence, or focus on enhancing a single trait designed for total destruction! With part swaps, a choice of colours, and personalised stickers, gamers can build an Ixpel as unique as they are!
Challenge Your Limits in Score Attack - Complete a mission and Score Attack Mode is unlocked. Here, gamers can challenge individual missions in a quest to beat their personal best, with high scores recorded for each area. Use your fully customized Ixpel to rewrite the record books.
Extensive Archives - Record your epic quest and path through battle, to relive the epic action at a future date!
War Record - Tracks total enemies defeated, missions flown and more.
Enemy Data - A detailed encyclopaedia of all gamers’ take downs can be found here for future research!
Gallery - Unlock stunning artwork by completing specific in-game challenges. As you fight, your legacy grows. Keep battling to complete your records of the fight!
FZ: Formation Z is available via Digital Download today on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store) or an MSRP of $29.99 / €27.99 / £24.99.
FZ: Formation Z will be launching physically on June 9, 2026 for PlayStation 5 with an MSRP of $39.99 / €34.99 / £34.99 and on Nintendo Switch 2 for an MSRP of $49,99 / €44,99 / £44.99.
Press Contact:
Overload PR on behalf of Clear River Games
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About City Connection
City Connection was founded in 2005 and owns the IP of long-established game maker ‘Jaleco’. The name ‘City Connection’ is reference to a previously released game by Jaleco, much loved by the City Connection president. City Connection is a game developer and publisher, as well as a soundtrack business (Clarice Disc), licensing business, publishing/editing/writing business, and engages in all manner of activities relating to video games. City Connection specializes in increasing the value of much-loved IP, utilizing some of the industry’s most experienced talent and reinventing games for a modern audience. City Connection strive to deliver quality games which delight gamers and respect original IP.
©CITY CONNECTION CO., LTD.
About Clear River Games
Clear River Games is a publisher with love for classic retro games. We are a small team in Karlstad, Sweden, founded by the Freemode Group (part of Embracer Group). Our vision is to bring the joy of experiencing vintage retro games and revived classic game franchises to players all over the world. We focus on publishing high-quality classic game franchises, modern retro and pixel art games and indie games that inspire gamers and bring back great memories of the past or discover new great games. With physical editions distributed online and in retail stores, we want to make great and unique games accessible to retro game fans around the world.
About Embracer Freemode
Embracer Freemode (“Freemode”) is Embracer Group`s 11th Operating Group. Freemode is a global ecosystem of independently run companies led by passionate creators, entrepreneurs, and business leaders with decades of combined experience in gaming and entertainment. Freemode supports its businesses with strategic, operational, and financial support, helping its businesses accelerate growth with a long-term mindset.
Freemode is part of the Embracer Group AB family of companies, which is publicly listed on Nasdaq Stockholm under the ticker EMBRAC B. (EMBRAC B).