Hotline Miami 2012

Released: October 23, 2012
Genres: Shooter · Indie · Arcade
Platforms: Google Stadia · Xbox Series X|S · PlayStation 3 · PlayStation 4 · Linux · Android · PC · PlayStation 5 · Mac · PlayStation Vita · Xbox One · Nintendo Switch
Developer: Dennaton Games
Publisher: Devolver Digital
More info: Wikipedia IGDB

Where to buy

Digital: GOG $1.99-80% Steam PlayStation Xbox

The lowest price we've seen on GOG since September 2026 More deals on GOG, and in Action
In a collection: Hotline Miami Collection

Nintendo PlayStation Xbox
Physical: Search on Amazon

Affiliate links: GOG, Fanatical, Green Man Gaming, ININ Games and Amazon

Is it still worth playing?

Dennaton Games' 2012 top down shooter for Windows, set in Miami in 1989. An unnamed, silent protagonist receives messages on his answering machine that send him across Miami to massacre the local Russian mafia. Its nineteen chapters each take place in a different Miami location and start with an answering machine message, and later stages switch to the Biker, who can use only knives. One hit kills you or an enemy, and a restart is quick. Ammo and health are scarce and gunfire draws most of a level's enemies, so you mix melee and ranged weapons with door knockouts, human shields and wall kicks. Animal masks chosen before each chapter give abilities. It contributed to the rise of indie releases in the 2010s and to the popularity of synthwave. With one hit deaths, doors, sight lines and scarce ammo, each room becomes an almost puzzle like problem, and that still makes it fun to replay.