Pro Jank Footy, the video game that is poised to bring Australia’s great sport to the wider world in the most misrepresentative way possible, has finally set a date for kick-off (Is that an AFL term? Sorry). It’ll launch on August 13 AEST (August 12 for most of our friends across the pond) for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2 and PC.
To celebrate the release date announcement, the teams at Powerbomb Games and Tinker Town have dropped an incredible animated new trailer created by another great Aussie export, Michael Cusack. It’s about what you’d expect from old mate, but it also nicely highlights some of the absurdity and ridiculous power-ups that mean Pro Jank Footy is less a serious sports sim and more akin to the NBA Jam of the AFL world.
Take a look:
If you haven’t been exposed to it by now, Pro Jank Footy sees players tackle an offbeat take on footy, reinvented as an arcade-y, intentionally chaotic and deeply funny competition where each goal scored gives your opponent one of over 200+ completely stupid power-ups. It could be that one player becomes a giant, bounding across the field of play, or a brick wall is erected in front of the goal posts. Perhaps your team all turn into gulls or “Dad’s car” joins the game. Anything can happen!
Oh, and it’s all commentated by Aunty Donna’s very own Broden Kelly, whose unmistakably-Aussie pipes should provide the perfect accompaniment to a game that could only have come from the minds of a bunch of Adelaideans.
“Pro Jank Footy is a love letter to Aussie Rules Footy and our absurd culture,” says the game’s producer, David Ashby, in an accompanying press release.
“Our game hopes to deliver an authentic arcade footy experience fans have hoped for, and an accessible entry point for anyone new to the sport, or for those who have no interest in sport whatsoever. “
“It’s a party game made by a very small and talented team out of Adelaide. There’s not a lot to do here except for working for the government, playing professional sport or making strange things. Somehow, with Pro Jank Footy, we’ve managed to do all three.“
Broden also adds, “Pro Jank Footy is the birth of a new era in gaming. Join us or die.”
Noted.
Here’s where you can wishlist the game right now ahead of its August 13 release date:
Born into the world of video games through SEGA, and in particular Sonic the Hedgehog, Kieron’s gaming tastes now consist of the latest, shiny AAA thing, an indie darling or two, and an embarrassing number of hours of Balatro.