Coffee Crisis is a side-scrolling beat 'em up for the Sega Genesis. The game was developed and published by Pittsburgh-based company Mega Cat Studios[1]. The game was released as a physical Sega Genesis cartridge [2] on February 24, 2017.

Plot

The Smurgliens, an evil alien race, have observed Earth for years. Through their detailed research, the determine that humanity's best creations are wifi, cat videos, heavy metal music, and coffee. They invade Earth in an attempt to lay claim to these things, but are opposed by Nick and Ashley, two baristas from the Black Forge Coffee House.

Development

The playable characters, Nick and Ashley, are the real-world owners of the Black Forge Coffee House. They met the owner of Mega Cat Studios at a charity event, and they decided to collaborate on a game project. Nick and Ashley wrote the story, and Mega Cat Studios developed the game. Pittsburgh metal band Greywalker provided the soundtrack.

Gameplay

Featuring side-scrolling, beat 'em up action, Coffee Crisis [3] offers two playable characters, each with their own special moves and statistics. There are also coffee themed mini-games and power-ups.

The game has a focus on co-op and supports two players.

Levels

The game features real-world locales from Pittsburgh, like Grandview Boulevard, PNC Park, and the Duquesne Incline. The Black Forge Coffee House is also featured, as well as a coffee factory. The players are also taken into a caffeine-fueled nightmare zone and to the Smurglien home world.

Enemies

Players encounter several types of Smurglien aliens. They must also battle humans (including elderly couples, country singers, trust-fund bros, and celebrity bodyguards) that have been possessed by the Smurgliens. Bosses include alien overlords like Hellface.
  1. https://megacatstudios.com/
  2. http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2016/11/05/coffee-crisis-is-the-latest-sega-genesis-game-on-the-block/234467/
  3. http://www.seganerds.com/2016/11/19/new-genesis-game-coffee-crisis-pays-homage-to-classic-beat-em-ups/