Steam’s Winter Sale offers plenty of opportunities to snag games at rock-bottom prices, and missing one deal rarely matters since most titles return to regular pricing and go on sale again eventually. However, one deeply discounted game won’t be around much longer.
Conatus Creative Inc. posted an update announcing that River City Ransom: Underground faces permanent removal from Steam due to licensing issues. The beat ’em up currently sits at $2.99, slashed 85% from its usual $19.99 price tag. The developer didn’t specify an exact removal date, but their December 30 announcement (posted around 3 AM EST) indicated the delisting is “currently underway.”
Key Takeaways :
- River City Ransom: Underground is being delisted from Steam due to an expiring licensing agreement.
- The game is currently 85% off at $2.99 (down from $19.99) during the Steam Winter Sale.
- The delisting process is already underway with no confirmed end date, so the game could disappear at any moment.
- Store page assets like title cards and screenshots have already been removed, signaling imminent removal.
- Only 300 physical NES copies exist, making legal acquisition nearly impossible after delisting.
- The GOG version will likely face the same fate due to identical licensing terms.
- Fans of beat ’em ups or the River City franchise should act immediately before this deal vanishes permanently.
River City Ransom: Underground Is Leaving Soon (Steam)
A Fun Beat ‘Em Up Makes Its Exit
River City Ransom carved out legendary status as an NES beat ’em up, though modest Western sales at launch meant subsequent entries rarely crossed the Pacific. River City Ransom EX on Game Boy Advance kept the flame alive until the 2010s, when releases like River City: Tokyo Rumble and River City Girls pushed the series back into the spotlight.
Debate over which entry reigns supreme continues among fans, but Underground presents a compelling argument. Its art direction embraces the original Western version’s charm more than other modern entries, and its combat mechanics stay truer to classic gameplay than River City Girls does. While not a genre-defining must-play, dedicated franchise followers shouldn’t let this one slip away.
You’ll Have To Act Fast
Hesitation Is Defeat
The Steam Winter Sale supposedly keeps River City Ransom: Underground discounted through January 5, but relying on that timeline is risky. Store page elements like the title card and screenshots have already been stripped away, suggesting the purchase option could vanish without notice.
Licensing expirations claim games regularly, and it never gets less disappointing. River City Ransom: Underground faces a particularly grim fate—only 300 physical NES copies exist, meaning legal acquisition becomes essentially impossible after delisting.
GOG also stocks the game, but identical licensing terms likely apply there too.
If beat ’em ups hold zero appeal for you, this impending removal isn’t reason enough to buy. But anyone remotely curious about the genre or franchise might find $2.99 an easy gamble before the window closes permanently.
Frequently Asked Questions About River City Ransom: Underground
What is the max level in River City Ransom Underground?
The maximum level cap in River City Ransom Underground is 99. Reaching this level unlocks the full potential of your character’s stats and abilities.
Is there a sequel to River City Ransom?
Yes, the original game spawned multiple sequels over the years. These include River City Ransom EX, River City: Tokyo Rumble, River City Girls, and River City Ransom: Underground.
How long to beat River City Ransom Underground?
The main story takes roughly 8-12 hours to finish. Completionists seeking all unlockables and characters should expect 20-30 hours of gameplay.
How hard is River City Ransom?
The original NES title offers moderate difficulty with challenging boss encounters. Underground provides adjustable difficulty settings to accommodate both newcomers and experienced players.