Kaboomania demo 1.3 expands with permanent leaderboards and new Huelsbeck track

The Amiga scene never really stopped being creative, and projects like Kaboomania show just how much life there still is in the platform. Developer Axel Friedrich from Fancy Factory has released version 1.3 of the Kaboomania demo, and this update adds a few very welcome improvements. Among the highlights are a permanent leaderboard system, support for the Amiga CD32 console, and a brand-new music track from legendary Amiga composer Chris Huelsbeck. Kaboomania is a colourful arcade maze bomber that clearly draws inspiration from classic bomb-laying games many retro players grew up with. The idea is simple but addictive: navigate through maze-like levels, drop bombs to destroy obstacles and enemies, uncover power-ups, and try to survive the chaos you create. It’s the kind of gameplay that’s easy to understand but hard to master, and it fits perfectly with the quick, arcade-style sessions many Amiga fans enjoy.

The visual style also feels right at home on the platform. Kaboomania uses AGA graphics with bright pixel art and smooth animation that capture the classic Amiga aesthetic while still feeling fresh. It’s very much a love letter to the era when colourful sprite-based arcade games dominated the system. One of the biggest additions in Demo 1.3 is the new permanent leaderboard. Now when players finish a run, they can enter their name and have their score saved between play sessions. This small feature makes a big difference, because it adds a real sense of competition. Suddenly you’re not just playing a few levels—you’re trying to beat your own score, climb the rankings, and maybe outdo your friends if they play on the same machine. Another major update is support for the Amiga CD32. A dedicated CD32 ISO of the demo is now available, meaning the game can run directly on Commodore’s CD-based console. For retro enthusiasts who still enjoy using the original hardware, this is great news. The CD32 controller support also makes Kaboomania feel very natural to play in a living-room setup.

Music is another area where Kaboomania really shines. The soundtrack includes work from Chris Huelsbeck, one of the most respected composers in the history of the Amiga. His music defined the sound of many classic games such as Turrican, The Great Giana Sisters, Apidya and Katakis. For this update, a new track called “World Theme 2” has been introduced, giving the game another energetic and atmospheric piece of music. The track has been adapted for the Amiga by Fabian del Priore, who converted it into MOD format so it plays perfectly on the system’s classic sound hardware. The result fits beautifully with the game’s retro arcade vibe. Even in its demo form, Kaboomania already shows a lot of promise. The current version includes the first ten single-player levels, giving players a good taste of the gameplay and the overall feel of the project. The full version is planned to be much bigger, with multiple themed worlds, large maps and a huge number of levels to explore.

Multiplayer is also part of the plan. Kaboomania supports up to four players in local multiplayer battles, turning the game into a chaotic and fun party experience. On original Amiga hardware, couch multiplayer games like this can be incredibly entertaining, especially when bombs start flying everywhere. With regular updates, new features and contributions from well-known figures in the Amiga community, Kaboomania is shaping up to be one of the more exciting new releases for the platform. The combination of classic gameplay, colourful graphics and strong music gives it a lot of charm. The Kaboomania Demo 1.3 is available now and can be downloaded in several formats, including ADF and WHDLoad versions for Amiga computers as well as a CD32 ISO for the console. For anyone who enjoys retro arcade action or simply wants to see what modern Amiga development looks like today, it’s definitely worth checking out.

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