I didn’t expect CLAWPUNK’s nine cats to go this hard—and yes, it’s playable on Switch 2

CLAWPUNK launches today on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch-and the devs explicitly say it’s playable on Switch 2. What grabbed me isn’t just the timing or the platforms; it’s the promise of 90s arcade chaos fused with roguelite buildcraft. Nine playable cats, a city you can literally tear apart, and a heavy-metal soundtrack you’re supposed to feel in your ribs-this is exactly the kind of loud, pick-up-and-go brawler I want after a long day. But beneath the fur and fireworks, there are a few smart design swings that could make or break it for real players.

Key Takeaways

• Destructible, multi-stage 2D levels aren’t just a gimmick-they can change your route, pacing, and risk-reward mid-run.
• Nine cats with distinct kits plus mutation cards suggest real build variety (think Dead Cells boons meets Broforce mayhem).
• Permanent progression is in via “mutation cards,” but the grind balance will decide if it feels earned or padded.
• Day-one across every major platform (and Switch 2 playability) is a strong sign—now we watch performance and input latency.

Breaking Down the Announcement

Developed by Kittens in Timespace and published by Megabit, CLAWPUNK drops you into Feral City with nine playable felines, each packing their own toys: swords, guns, explosives, and even robo-fists. The hook is speed and aggression over turtling—levels are built to be wrecked. Five multi-stage zones, “hundreds of foes,” and a destructibility-first design aim to keep every run messy in the best way. If you remember the cathartic collapse of Broforce’s stages, picture that energy, but with roguelite escalation layered on top.

The other big pillar is the collectible mutation cards that permanently enhance your characters. That screams meta-progression, which can be a double-edged claw. On the plus side, it’s satisfying to come back stronger. On the flip, roguelites can slide into “stats inflation” if the best path forward is grinding rather than skill growth. The sweet spot is what Hades nailed: perks that shape your playstyle without turning early runs into a slog. If CLAWPUNK’s cards lean toward meaningful mutations (e.g., shrapnel chains, shield-burst counters, aerial mobility tweaks) rather than flat +5% bumps, it’ll land better with the crowd that’s already fatigued by grindy unlock trees.

Tone-wise, the game is going full punk-metal. That can be style over substance in weaker projects, but when it clicks—think the confidence of Metal: Hellsinger’s soundtrack pairing—it gives moment-to-moment play real voltage. There’s even a cult-film nod: Greg Sestero (The Room) voices Benny, a mech-augmented bruiser cat. Fun trivia, sure, but CLAWPUNK will live or die on the feel of its dash windows, hit pauses, and how readable the chaos stays once the screen is full of debris.

Why This Matters Now

We’re deep into the roguelite era. For a new one to earn attention, it needs either a radical hook or execution so clean it shines regardless. Destructible environments are a legit differentiator—too many platforming roguelites stick to rigid tilesets that barely change how you approach space. If you can crack a floor, open a new angle on a miniboss, or risk a self-made collapse to speedrun a segment, that’s the kind of moment-to-moment decision-making that keeps runs fresh past the 10-hour mark.

The other reason I’m paying attention: a proper day-and-date rollout on PC, PS5, Xbox, and Switch, with Switch 2 playability called out upfront. Indies rarely get to ship that broadly all at once. It signals confidence, a decent QA footprint, or both. For anyone eyeing the next Nintendo hardware’s early library, CLAWPUNK looks like one of those “you’ll have something loud to play on day one” options—assuming the framerate holds under full-screen fireworks.

What Gamers Should Watch For

• Performance and readability: Destructible tiles plus particle-heavy explosions can tank clarity. If the UI, color grading, and camera work together, chaos becomes legible; if not, expect cheap deaths. Switch is the stress test here.
• Meta-progression balance: Permanent mutation cards are great if they unlock playstyles, not just numbers. If early runs feel underpowered, that’s a red flag.
• Enemy and boss variety: Five zones is fine if each pushes you into different movement or weapon patterns. Without tight boss design, roguelites flatten quickly.
• Input feel: This genre needs crisp dashes, generous coyote time, and satisfying hit-stop. If CLAWPUNK nails those, the rest of the package will sing.
• Co-op or solo only: The announcement doesn’t mention co-op. If it’s solo-only, that’s fine—just set expectations before you plan a couch session.
• Monetization: The word “cards” sometimes triggers gacha panic. There’s no mention of microtransactions here, which is exactly what I want to hear.

One more note on identity: nine distinct cats is a strong pitch, but they need to feel meaningfully different. A tanky brawler with armored frames, a high-risk grenadier with self-damage mitigation, a mid-air blade dancer with extra i-frames—if the kits force you to relearn matchups, CLAWPUNK won’t just be a reskin shuffle; it’ll be a roster worth mastering.

Looking Ahead

I’m genuinely rooting for this one. The “blow the city to pieces” angle, paired with buildcraft and a metal soundtrack, is a fantastic vibe if the systems support it. Kittens in Timespace is still an up-and-comer, and Megabit’s backing suggests they want CLAWPUNK to punch above its weight. If the launch build holds steady performance across platforms and the card system prioritizes creativity over grind, this could become a go-to palette cleanser—a 20-minute chaos run that keeps finding new ways to surprise you.

TL;DR

CLAWPUNK is out now and doubles down on destructible 2D chaos, nine distinct cats, and roguelite mutations. If the performance holds and the cards push playstyle variety instead of grind, this could be the loud, stylish brawler that earns a permanent spot in your rotation—on PC, consoles, and yes, Switch 2.