- Developed and published in-house by Blood Pact Studios, a two-person indie studio based in Quebec, Canada
- Managing a 1990s video rental store… Ranked #1 on Steam new releases on launch day, nearing 200,000 copies in two weeks
- 95% of over 5,800 Steam reviews are ‘Overwhelmingly Positive,’ with rave reviews from international media and users.
The days of renting VHS videos, rewinding tapes, and collecting late fees have returned as a game. ‘Retro Rewind – Video Store Simulator,’ a 1990s video rental store management simulator developed and published by the two-person indie studio Blood Pact Studios, is continuing its unexpected success on Steam.
Released on March 17, the game entered the top ranks of the Steam sales chart immediately after launch and surpassed 100,000 units sold within five days. Since then, sales are estimated to be between 150,000 and 200,000 units. Currently on Steam, it maintains an “Overwhelmingly Positive” rating, with 95% of over 7,500 user reviews being positive.
Cash calculators, the sound of VHS rewinding… Recreating a 90s video rental store
The most distinctive feature of Retro Rewind is that it meticulously recreates the unique atmosphere of 1990s video rental stores. From VHS shelves arranged under fluorescent lights and faded movie posters to a counter that seems to smell of popcorn and regular customers awkwardly opening the door and walking in with expired tapes, the game densely captures the analog culture of the pre-streaming era with a nostalgic perspective.
The sound design is also impressive. The mechanical sound of a VHS tape being rewound, the clicking of a tape passing through a scanner, and the dull thud of a video case being placed on a counter are densely arranged to complete the distinctive tactile atmosphere.
The in-game virtual movie collection is also eye-catching. It features numerous parody titles reminiscent of famous actual films and hand-drawn VHS cover art, naturally evoking the distinctive atmosphere of the B-movies and cult films that used to fill video rental store shelves back then. These details serve to further deepen the retro sensibility and nostalgia of the work.
Reservations, late fees, new arrivals, hiring staff… Everything about running a video rental store
The player runs a small video rental store and must grow the business from scratch. From renting and selling VHS tapes, managing inventory, taking reservations, collecting late fees, recommending movies, and selling snacks, the daily tasks are busier than expected.
Operational elements have also been faithfully implemented. You can build your own video rental store by hiring staff, managing teams, expanding the store, customizing walls and floors, and decorating with posters and souvenirs. The shelves are filled with thousands of VHS titles, each featuring different titles, genres, and handcrafted cover designs; as you level up, new systems and mini-games are added one by one, expanding the scope of your management.
Roadmap expanded in response to criticism of “lack of end-game content”… Updates including console game stands announced
Despite strong initial success, some users have expressed disappointment regarding the lack of endgame content and motivation for long-term play. In response, the development team has released an update roadmap that includes additional storage space, video game sales features, and new content enhancements.
A virtuous cycle is also forming where community feedback leads to rapid updates and feature improvements. Some players are highly praising the game’s details and atmosphere, leaving comments such as, “One of the most meticulously crafted simulation games in recent times” and “It has successfully revived the vibe of the Blockbuster era.”
100,000 copies sold in just 4 days… The reverse-trend success story of a two-person team highlighted by The Hollywood Reporter
Blood Pact Studios, the creators of Retro Rewind, are a small two-person development team based in Quebec, Canada. Completed after approximately two years of development, this work is regarded as a case proving that it is possible to establish a presence in the global indie market solely through a strong concept and detailed direction, without a massive budget or famous IP.
Reactions from overseas game and indie game media are also positive. mxdwn Games praised the game for meticulously recreating the atmosphere and culture of 90s video rental stores, while AltChar highlighted the period details, such as the sound of VHS rewinding and the cash payment system, as strengths.
Some media outlets also took note of the game’s initial commercial success. The Hollywood Reporter highlighted it as an example of a game created by a two-person development team climbing to the top of the Steam new releases chart and rapidly boosting sales, while Games.GG praised the deep immersion created by the combination of nostalgia and management elements, stating that it “established its own unique niche within the casual management simulation genre.”
Management simulation games based on nostalgia for the past are a genre that can be easily found these days. However, Retro Rewind has established its own unique identity by capturing the atmosphere of the vanished cultural space of the video rental store not merely as a background, but as the gameplay itself.
There is growing interest in whether this work can recreate memories for the generation that used to linger in front of shelves to rent VHS tapes, and convey an unfamiliar yet interesting analog culture and the atmosphere of the 90s to players who have never experienced video rental stores.
Information regarding ‘Retro Rewind (Retro Rewind – Video Store Simulator)’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer / Publisher | Blood Pact Studios (2-person team) |
| Genre | Shopkeeper Management Simulation / Casual / Immersive Sim |
| Release platform | PC (Steam) / Steam Deck (Playable) |
| Release date | March 17, 2026 |
| price | €19.90 / $19.90 |
| Steam Review | Overwhelmingly positive 95% (5,803+) |
| Sales volume | 100,000 copies sold in 4 days / Approaching 200,000 copies sold in 2 weeks |
| background | Video rental store in the early 1990s |
| Language support | 8 languages including English, French, German, Spanish, and Italian |
| Main Content | Thousands of VHS tapes / Hand-drawn cover art / Staff hiring / Interior customization |
| Main Keywords | 90s, video rental store, VHS, nostalgia, management simulation, cozy, retro, blockbuster |
| Official Channel | Discord |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
