If you miss the days when arcade cabinets were packed with sword-wielding heroes, endless enemy hordes, and a second player waiting to jump in, Blades & Battles is looking to bring that formula back. QUByte Interactive has announced that its Arthurian-inspired arcade brawler will launch on September 29, 2026, drawing heavily from classics such as Golden Axe, Knights of the Round, Rastan Saga, and Magic Sword.
Rather than chasing modern complexity, Blades & Battles is built around the straightforward appeal of classic arcade action. Players will hack their way through waves of enemies, learn increasingly powerful attacks, and take on the campaign alone or with a second player through two-player local co-op.
Set before the formation of the Round Table, the game follows Arthur and Lancelot as they attempt to reclaim Camelot from the forces of Morgana le Fay. The kingdom has been overrun by demonic creatures, undead hordes, and dark magic, sending the two warriors through eight stages filled with increasingly dangerous enemies.
Arthur and Lancelot each feature their own combat style, giving players a choice in how they approach the game’s sword-focused battles. Their journey will take them from the gates of Camelot through Sherwood Forest, the frozen Peak of the Savages, and the Valley of No Return before the final confrontation with Morgana.
The retro influence extends to the game’s presentation as well. Blades & Battles features a Dual-Mode Nostalgia Engine that lets players switch between stylized 3D visuals and pixel-based presentation, including Pixelated and Super Pixelated modes designed to evoke the look of classic arcade games.
The focus, however, remains on skill-based combat. After learning the fundamentals, players will gradually uncover more powerful attacks and techniques as they progress, keeping the emphasis on mastering the combat rather than simply mashing through enemies.
Blades & Battles will launch for PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch on September 29, 2026. The Nintendo Switch version will launch in Japan and Asia on October 1.