Acclaim Returns with PlayAcclaim Showcase in 2025

The ghost of Acclaim has officially returned to the gaming world. Once a powerhouse in the 1990s with hits like Mortal Kombat, Turok, and NBA Jam, the publisher famously collapsed into bankruptcy in 2004.

Now, more than two decades later, the company is staging a comeback with a bold new showcase: PlayAcclaim, set to premiere on September 10, 2025.

The event, titled “A New Era is Coming”, promises to blend nostalgia with forward-thinking game reveals. According to Acclaim’s new leadership, the showcase will not just highlight upcoming titles but also celebrate the chaotic, unforgettable spirit that once defined the brand. The teaser trailer already hints at surprises, leaving longtime fans eager to see which classics might rise again and what fresh ideas will break through.

Leading this revival is Alex Josef, former CEO of Graffiti Games, who insists this is more than just a brand cash-in. “We’re not chasing ghosts,” Josef said. “We’re channeling the same raw energy that made Acclaim a name people still remember, but pointing it at something modern, fresh, and unpredictable.”

While fans shouldn’t expect a return of Mortal Kombat – now firmly under Warner Bros. – there’s growing speculation about other dormant franchises and new IPs ready to define Acclaim’s second life. For gamers who grew up with the company’s logo flashing on their CRT screens, September could mark the start of an unlikely but thrilling resurrection.