Anna: The Magic of Words (NES) - Version 0.1.3 - play one world (4 levels + 2 bonus stages) now
A downloadable game by EASTPIXEL
It’s a challenging 1980s like platformer game with a serious story. For the Nintendo Entertainment System® and Famicom.
Game in active development. Demo download below.
The story of the game
The magic of words gave you everything and suddenly took everything from you.
A little sad and disappointed you make your way through a dangerous world. Embark on the difficult journey through dangerous caves, deep forest and icy landscapes. Collect scrolls and combine their words, face your fear and the ticking clock.
But whatever happens, never forget your most important goal: find Anna.
The deeper meaning of the story
The game is more than a typical 1980s platformer. The game itself is just a shell. The shell for a process of self-discovery, healing, motivation and the strong will not to give up. The character embarks on an arduous journey and search for Anna.
Even if you’ve already guessed it, Anna doesn’t have to be human or animal. Anna can just as well be representative of a favourite place, a feeling, family, being at home, feeling good or the satisfaction of a completed task or with yourself, but of course also a single person.
There is no right or wrong answer to the meaning of the game title. You decide. You are also welcome to simply ignore the psychological aspect and concentrate fully on playing this challenging platforming title. Just pay attention to the little hearts and the ticking clock. ;-)
The Green Ribbon
EASTPIXEL supports the Green Ribbon and projects that support people and integration. The author of the video game Anna: The Magic of Words is one of these people himself. A long time ago, he set out on his own search for contentment and his own well-being. The project development helps him to focus on his goals and the motivation to keep going should also help other people. The author has already found his Anna.
The green ribbon is the international symbol of mental health awareness.
https://www.seelischegesundheit.net/
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/
P.S. The game starts with a quote of Rosa Parks and it will contain many more quotes from people who have fought for human rights and equality.
Stay updated on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@eastpixel or Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/eastpixel.de
Anna: The Magic of Words is a game by EASTPIXEL. Coding and design by Christian Dinse.
Developed to run on the Nintendo® Family Computer/Nintendo® Entertainment System. Nintendo®, Nintendo Entertainment System® and NES® are trademarks of Nintendo® of America Inc. EASTPIXEL is not affiliated to Nintendo®.
The title, game, concept, coding and art are © 2025 EASTPIXEL, www.eastpixel.de
Download
Install instructions
NES-ROM
Download NES (.nes ROM, Mapper 30), Region-free NTSC/PAL, 512 KB (file is .zipped)
- Software: You can play it with a software emulator on Linux, macOS, Windows etc.: Please use FCEUX or Mesen for best results
- Software and Hardware: You can play it on any random Gaming Handheld with RetroPie, Lakka, Recalbox, Batocera and so on …
- You also can use hardware flashcards like Krikzz EverDrive N8 (Pro) or nearly all other models available
Windows version + macOS/Linux
- this version is working very well via Wine on macOS (Intel + Apple Silicon M1, M2, M3) and Linux
- Just download the .zip file, extract it an run "anna.exe"
- compatible Windows versions (64bit versions): 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 10, 11
Changelog
Demo Version 0.1.3 - January 09, 2025
- Changed: Animated collectables (scrolls, hearts)
- Changed: Timer Logic inside levels / timer now always shows the correct remaining time
Demo Version 0.1.2 - January 06, 2025
- Changed: Physics - Jumping possible while standing on edges
- Changed: Physics - Jumping right after falling from a platform
- Changed: Small graphic animation added for collectable hearts
- Changed: Bonus stages show collected hearts now
- Added: Options menu (first option: Mute Music in Game)
Demo Version 0.1.0 - December 22, 2024
- Physics and performance update #3
- Changed: Gameplay logic update
- Changed: small audio and graphic bugfixes
- Changed: The password system has been revised - if you collect at least 12 scrolls in the world “Dungeons”, you get a password at the end of the world, with which you can resume the game later from this point
- Added: a first brand new overworld map
- Added: one complete world "Dungeons" with 4 levels and 2 bonus stages is playable now
Changelogs for older versions are published on our website.
Development log
- Demo Version 0.1.3 public now3 days ago
- New version 0.1.2 available6 days ago
- Version 0.1.0 online - play one complete game world (4 levels + 2 bonus stages)21 days ago
- Physics and Gameplay Update, Version 0.0.735 days ago
- Anna: The Magic of Words (Windows/macOS/Linux)May 25, 2024
- Windows version of Anna: The Magic of Words (Demo) availableMay 11, 2024
- New demo version #4 (2024) finally avaiable.Apr 23, 2024
- Visit the EASTPIXEL exhibition booth at Lange Nacht der Computerspiele 2024 on A...Apr 11, 2024
Comments
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This was really fun! It was frustrating AF for all the right reasons. The challenge is brutal at times, but the controls and collision detection are on point.
Hey abraxas, thank you really much for testing the demo. Good to hear, that you liked it. :-)
This is fun! I love precision platformers.
But a lives system?
Please give me infinite lives! And shorter respawn times! Let me die over and over again until I get the precision platforming right!
Thanks Jordi, cool that you like it. Since the demo update from two days ago, the respawn has a short animation and time of 2 seconds (until then it was instant restart - if you like watch an older video on YouTube) because of the feedback from people with epilepsy and other conditions with sensitivity to light because this would a breaker.
But you know what, it's a development process and I'm not finally sure about a (let's name it) "speedrun" mode without lives but with a counter of "deads" and a timer from 0 to >.
Really appreciate your feedback and download. :-)
Hello!
So glad to see this coming along nicely. Keep me posted when the physical version is ready for preorder.