NATIONAL HARBOR, MD — Jan. 13, 2026 — MAGFest and Indie Retro, in partnership with creative-first indie video game publisher and developer Mega Cat Studios, are thrilled to announce the winners of the eighth annual MAGFest Indie Retro Homebrew Showcase, which took place from January 8-11 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.
Among nearly 30 games showcased across a variety of beloved classic consoles, four titles rose above the rest, earning top honors from our judges for gameplay, art direction, sound design, and overall Best in Show.
To celebrate the announcement, Mega Cat Studios has released a video congratulating the winners of this year’s MAGFest Indie Retro Homebrew Showcase, which can be found below.
MAGFest Indie Retro Homebrew Showcase 2026: Winners Video
MAGFest’s Indie Retro Homebrew Showcase, now in its eighth year, served as the perfect venue for these passionate developers to showcase their latest projects to throngs of eager gamers and connect with the other talented retro homebrew developers to share their vision.
“Meeting so many other retro devs and seeing new players “get” my mechanics for the first time… it was wildly energizing,” said Zeta “Zeta” Flynt, the creator of the rhythm-based NES dungeon-crawler Tactus, which won Best Sound Design at the event.
“It was an incredible honor to have Light From Within recognized among such an amazing group of games,” said Dustin Howell, the creator of Best in Show award-winning title Light From Within. “The MAGFest Indie Retro Showcase was a wonderful and overwhelming experience for me. Getting to see players connect with my game and hear their feedback was a thrill, and their enthusiasm brought me a lot of joy.”
“I had a wonderful time meeting all the other devs, playing their games, and discussing their interests and design philosophies,” Howell continued. “The retro indie space is such a supportive and welcoming community. My sincere thanks to Mega Cat Studios for all the hard work that went into organizing the showcase, and for the opportunity to be a part of it.”
About MAGFest:
The Music and Gaming Festival (MAGFest) is a four-day celebration of video games and video game music, featuring concerts, panels, a 24-hour arcade, and countless gaming experiences. Since its inception, MAGFest has grown into a vibrant community hub for gamers and musicians alike.
About Mega Cat Studios
Mega Cat Studios breathes new life into old video game consoles with artisanal, exclusive projects you won’t find anywhere else. From the original Nintendo to virtual reality ports, we’re bringing our fans the games they want.
