Beat em ups are great, and games that call back to the classic era are ones that we especially love. One that has our attention is Pizza Kidd, an upcoming project from Kidd Games, that will be launching a Kickstarter in 2026, with a planned release on Steam, Switch, PlayStation and Xbox. You can see some details below.
A retro-fueled pixel brawler drenched in grit, style and haunting mystery…
“An Award Winning, high-impact 2D action beat ’em up set in a gritty sci-fi fantasy world. Battle grotesque monsters, uncover ancient secrets, and unleash martial arts fury in this pixel art brawler inspired by 90’s anime, noir comics, and arcade classics like Street Fighter II, Streets of Rage, and Ninja Warriors.”
KICK, FLIP, AND FIGHT YOUR WAY THROUGH A WORLD GONE MAD!
Play as KIDD, a pizza-flipping martial artist turned hero in a world ravaged by corporate greed and grotesque bioengineering. Kidd’s mission is to retrieve the eight sacred Seed Stones—mystical artifacts that hold the key to defeating the maniacal mastermind Dr. Santos and his monstrous creations.But this ain’t just another “save the world” story. Pizza Kidd is a game brimming with depth and heart. Across eight intricately designed levels, players encounter vibrant environments, each telling its own story and presenting unique challenges. From the eerie, abandoned mall level, where players rescue lost children and animals, to the treacherous Biohazard Bog, filled with toxic swamps and nightmarish enemies like the vampiric giant Tangki, every stage contains rich, atmospheric backdrops that evoke the golden age of 16-bit artistry.
What truly sets Pizza Kidd apart is its gameplay innovation. Unlike traditional beat-em-ups, it combines Street Fighter-inspired inputs with fast-paced action, allowing for dynamic combos, air juggles, and special attacks. The custom combat system rewards creativity and skill, encouraging players to experiment with their moves to find the most effective strategies. Players can perform visually spectacular super moves, like the devastating Blade of Chrysalis, chaining together attacks to dominate enemies while feeling completely in control.
Secondary gameplay mechanics, like rescuing lost children and animals, add layers of emotional depth. These moments of heroism remind players that Kidd isn’t just fighting to win—he’s fighting to save what’s left of humanity. Combined with hidden bonus games like Pizza Time and Mini Basketball Arcade Shot, the game keeps players engaged, offering moments of levity and exploration amid the intense action.
Visually, Pizza Kidd is a masterpiece. Its hand-drawn pixel art, inspired by 90s anime and graphic novels, bursts with detail and style. Each sprite, from Kidd’s fluid animations to the hulking, grotesque bosses like Doku, Rao Buron or Scrabb, has been crafted with meticulous care. The darker 16-bit aesthetic perfectly complements the game’s sci-fi horror tone, immersing players in its rich, dystopian world and cinematic flair.
The game’s story also shines with its sci-fi horror narrative, moving far beyond standard tropes. Instead of a city overrun with generic crime, players navigate a post-apocalyptic world shaped by a pandemic and bioengineered horrors. From the Nocturnal Nexus, where Kidd battles a cybernetic soldier amidst rain-soaked streets, to the Skyfall Pursuit, where players fight enemies while free-falling through the sky, the game constantly surprises with its creativity and intensity.
Looking to the future, Pizza Kidd has even more to offer. Planned local co-op gameplay will allow players to team up and take on the chaos together, sharing the thrill of chaining combos and battling bosses as a duo. And with plans for DLC introducing new playable characters, like Kidd’s twin sister Roze and other members of his team, the game promises to expand its universe and keep players coming back for more.
“At its core, Pizza Kidd is a love letter to the golden age of gaming, reimagined for a modern audience. With its stunning visuals, innovative combat, and heartfelt storytelling, it delivers an experience that’s as fresh as it is familiar. Get ready to save the world, one combo at a time, in the most stylish beat-’em-up you’ve ever played.”
—PIZZA KIDD
Game OverviewGameplay Features
• Custom-designed combat system with fast & responsive attacks, air juggles, and lengthy combos
• 2D single-plane, side-scrolling action with expansive level design
• Unique special attacks utilizing fighting game motion inputs
Story and Setting
• Captivating science fiction horror narrative set in a post-apocalyptic world
• Players control KIDD, a pizza-flipping martial artist, battling malformed monsters in a devastated city
• Objective: Retrieve 8 sacred seed stones to defeat the nefarious super-villain, MANNY SANTOS
Visuals
• Gorgeous hand-drawn, animated pixel art in a 16-bit comic noir style
• Illustrated environments, large sprites, and vibrant visual effectsAudio
• Tailored sound design for crunchy arcade-style impact effects
• Fantastically composed music soundtrack by Kevin Ripley, Martin Lande, Yanni Ziangos, Silent Sphere, Dj Spinna, Byron the Aquarius, Rashad “Tumblin’ Dice” Smith, Lisa Bella Donna, and other guests composers…
Additional Features
• Combo system allowing fluid and creative combat
• Hidden bonus games for extra challenges and rewards
• Secondary gameplay: Rescue lost children and animals
• Unique super attack moves introducing supporting cast of four characters
• Future DLC plans to make these characters playable, offering fresh experiences
Button Configuration / Accessibility
• Distinct button configuration: light punch, heavy punch, kick, jump, guard, etc.
• Fully mappable button/directional input system for player customization
• and more to come…—
🕸️ www.pizzakidd.com
🆇 kiddpizza
🦋 @kiddpizza.bsky.social
You can check out some trailers for the game here:
And you can check out the Steam demo here
