Samurai Academy: Paws of Fury just hit PS5, Xbox, Switch, and PC — but there’s a co-op catch

Dog samurai, cat shoguns, and a co-op catch: what this launch really means

Samurai Academy: Paws of Fury just dropped on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC, and it immediately caught my attention for one simple reason: we don’t get many new family-friendly action adventures that promise breezy two-player co-op and open-world exploring. The hook is strong-play as Hank the beagle with mentor Jimbo in a colorful cat-populated world-but there’s a wrinkle Switch families need to clock right away: co-op isn’t available on Nintendo’s console at launch.

Key Takeaways

• Available now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and Steam; physical edition is out in EMEA now, with North America “soon.”
• Single-player across all platforms; two-player co-op is only on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam (not Switch at launch).
• Pitched as an “entry-level action adventure,” so expect accessible combat, lightweight puzzles, and approachable exploration.
• Watch for performance and clarity on co-op specifics (local vs. online wasn’t specified); wait for impressions if that matters to you.

Breaking down the announcement

Paws of Fury stars Hank and his mentor Jimbo defending the town of Kakamucho from a domineering Shogun and his cat armies. The promise is snackable, arcade-style combat, open-world exploration, and simple puzzles wrapped in a bold, colorful presentation that reads “playable by everyone”-not just seasoned action heads. It’s very clearly aimed at the “let’s play something together tonight” crowd: parents with kids, partners who want a chill co-op, or solo players who want a lighter bite between heavier releases.

Behind the scenes, it’s a collaboration between ZEROlife Games and Fishing Cactus, with Maximum Entertainment publishing. Fishing Cactus has a track record with approachable, clever design (if you’ve touched Epistory or Shift Quantum, you know they can make clean, readable mechanics). That gives me more confidence than the usual licensed-adjacent quickie we’ve all regretted buying once or twice.

The “entry-level” promise: strength or soft sell?

The marketing leans hard on “fast-paced arcade combat” and “entry-level action adventure.” Translation: don’t expect deep systems or punishing difficulty. That can be a feature, not a bug. A lot of kids (and frankly, plenty of adults) bounce off action games that bury them under skill trees and counter windows measured in milliseconds. If Paws of Fury keeps the inputs simple, telegraphs attacks clearly, and keeps puzzles legible, it fills a real gap—think closer to LEGO-style flow than a Soulslike.

My lingering question is how “open-world” it truly is. Is this a big continuous space or a set of connected zones with plenty of collectibles and quests? The phrasing suggests exploration is designed to be accessible, so don’t expect an Ubisoft sprawl. That’s fine—just set expectations for a guided sandbox rather than a map that eats your weekend.

Co-op on PC/PS5/Xbox, but not Switch: why that matters

Here’s the real catch: while every platform gets single-player, two-player co-op is limited to Steam, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S at launch. That’s an odd omission because the Switch is the family couch machine. The teams haven’t spelled out whether co-op is local, online, or both—so if your plan is to play together, check the store pages or early impressions before you buy. If you’re locked to Switch and co-op is a must, hold fire until there’s clarity on if/when that mode might arrive.

We’ve seen Switch ports skip certain modes before due to performance or memory constraints, especially with split-screen rendering. That may or may not be the case here, but it’s a practical reality: adding co-op can stress hardware. The upside is that single-player still makes sense for the platform if performance holds up handheld. That’s the other big unknown until players get their hands on it: frame rate consistency and camera comfort can make or break a kid-friendly brawler.

Where this fits in today’s family-game landscape

Licensed and family-oriented games have quietly leveled up over the last few years. We’re getting more projects that respect players’ time with clean mechanics and genuine charm rather than just coasting on a character’s face. With studios like Fishing Cactus involved, Paws of Fury has a shot to join that better tier—if it nails the basics: clear combat feedback, generous checkpoints, readable UI (text size matters for younger readers), and camera options that don’t make split-screen a headache (assuming split-screen is even in the mix for co-op).

One practical note for gift-givers: physical editions are staggered. EMEA gets boxed copies now; North America is “coming soon.” If you’re planning holiday gifts and need a case under the tree, that timing matters.

The gamer’s perspective: should you jump in?

If you’re after a friendly, low-friction action adventure to play with a younger gamer on PS5, Xbox, or PC, this looks worth a shot—especially if you’ve already run through the usual suspects in the family co-op rotation. If you’re on Switch and were banking on co-op, I’d wait. We still need answers on how co-op is implemented and how each platform performs; those two things will decide whether this is a weekend delight or a pass-until-a-patch situation.

TL;DR

Samurai Academy: Paws of Fury brings a colorful, entry-level action adventure to all major platforms, with co-op limited to PC/PS5/Xbox at launch. It could be a solid family pick if performance holds and the basics sing; Switch owners who want co-op should hang tight for clarity.