Naula Studio has announced Necro Pop, a new 16-bit action platformer that combines the straightforward combat of classic arcade games with dungeon exploration, character abilities and replayable challenges. The developer describes the game as an “Arcadevania,” and plans to release it for Neo Geo MVS, AES, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox and Steam in 2027.
A new trailer gives players their first look at Necro Pop and its colourful pixel-art world, as well as its ghostly protagonist, Poppi.
The game takes place in Ghostreach, a land overrun by an evil darkness known as The Gloam. Poppi is a ghost who becomes caught up in the conflict after discovering an ancient amulet that gives her a physical body. With her newfound abilities, she sets out to push back The Gloam while rescuing the ghosts trapped throughout the region.
Necro Pop is built around a mixture of combat, exploration and movement abilities. Poppi can charge her attacks for greater impact, launch magical projectiles such as fireballs, use bubbles to aid her movement and bounce across enemies with pogo attacks. Players can combine these abilities in different ways as they explore the game’s dungeons, with upgrades and secrets providing additional reasons to revisit areas.
Naula Studio is also putting considerable emphasis on Necro Pop’s Neo Geo roots. The game is being developed specifically for the Neo Geo MVS arcade hardware and AES home console, with its colourful, cartoon-inspired pixel art designed around the capabilities of the classic 16-bit platform.
For players interested in trying Necro Pop ahead of its full release, a free demo is now available on Steam. The demo includes the game’s third level and provides an early look at its combat, movement, characters and exploration.
Necro Pop will also be playable at Tokyo Game Show 2026, which runs from September 17 to 21 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan. Naula Studio will be located in Hall 9 at Booth C35.
Necro Pop is scheduled to launch in 2027 for Neo Geo MVS, AES, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Steam.