This caught my attention because Tribute Games isn’t just dusting off a cult classic-they’re building the first original Scott Pilgrim video game in more than 15 years. As someone who spent way too many nights grinding the Ubisoft-era Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game (and then watched it vanish from stores for years), I’m equal parts excited and cautious. The reveal confirms early 2026 for PC and consoles, a seven-character roster that now includes former villains Lucas Lee and Roxie Richter, a new story co-written by creator Bryan Lee O’Malley, and an original soundtrack from Anamanaguchi. That’s a strong pitch. Now let’s talk about what actually matters.
Scott Pilgrim EX drops us into a video game-warped Toronto where Sex Bob-omb has been kidnapped and the city is crawling with demons, vegans, and robots. It’s pure Pilgrim nonsense in the best way. Tribute says we’ll fight across streets, beaches, and “maybe even back in time,” which suggests stage variety and some story hijinks that fit the franchise’s meta vibe (especially after the Netflix anime’s timeline remix).
The two newly revealed playable characters are what make this reveal pop. Lucas Lee isn’t just a cameo—he’s a heavy grappler who chucks people around and weaponizes his skateboard. Roxie Richter is the speed pick: sword slashes, smoke bombs, and blender-style multi-hits. If Tribute carries over what worked in Shredder’s Revenge—snappy cancels, aerial juggles, and co-op synergy—this lineup could sing. The press notes also mention upgradable toolkits and highly interactable environments (think bats, turnips, and even demonic rods), which screams “adventure brawler” rather than a purely linear belt scroller.
Seven playable fighters feels deliberate. We can assume Scott and Ramona are locks, and Lucas and Roxie bring the ex-factor, but who fills the rest? Kim, Stephen Stills, Knives, Wallace—there’s a lot of fan expectation here. I’d rather have a tight roster with deep move lists than 12 shallow picks, but Tribute needs to show meaningful differences in range, crowd control, mobility, and tag-team potential.
Beat-’em-ups have been quietly thriving. Streets of Rage 4 reignited the genre, River City Girls added personality and progression, and Shredder’s Revenge proved that “retro” can still feel modern if the combat sings. Tribute’s track record on Shredder’s—responsive inputs, friendly co-op chaos, and post-launch polish—sets the bar. If Scott Pilgrim EX hits the same notes with a stronger progression layer and more flexible mission structure, it could be the next must-play co-op night staple.
The two biggest questions right now are co-op and cadence. Co-op because the old Scott Pilgrim was a couch classic with online that arrived late and wobbly. Will EX support smooth online from day one, keep performance steady with multiple players, and include robust matchmaking? Six-player mayhem isn’t necessary, but consistent netcode absolutely is. Cadence because “early 2026” is far out; I’d love to see a clear roadmap and, crucially, a smart stance on DLC. Character passes and costume microtransactions could sour the vibe quick—this franchise thrives on style, but nickel-and-diming it would be a bad look.
The press pitch calls out quests, districts ruled by gangs, and upgradable kits. That points toward a structure closer to River City with errands, optional fights, and shops, not just stage-select beatdowns. If Tribute leans in with meaningful unlocks—new moves, cancels, aerial extensions, crowd-control tools—and lets us respec or build characters in different directions, that’s the difference between a weekend novelty and a game we keep returning to. Training room? Difficulty options with smarter enemy AI instead of HP sponges? Let’s see it.
Music matters here more than with most brawlers. Anamanaguchi’s original Scott Pilgrim soundtrack is etched into my skull; getting them back isn’t just fan service, it’s a tone guarantee. The big ask is dynamic scoring that responds to combos and screen chaos—if the tracks flex with your performance, this could be one of 2026’s best-feeling games, not just best-looking.
We can’t talk Scott Pilgrim games without acknowledging the delisting saga. The 2010 game disappeared for years due to licensing snarls and only returned in a “Complete Edition” long after. With Universal directly involved this time and Tribute self-publishing, the hope is a cleaner rights situation—and ideally a physical release. Give players an offline-friendly package with all content on disc or cartridge, and you immediately calm the fanbase that got burned last time.
Right now, Scott Pilgrim EX looks like the right team with the right collaborators making the right kind of game. Lucas and Roxie as playable fighters is a smart twist; O’Malley’s involvement should keep the tone sharp; and Tribute’s action chops give me confidence in the moment-to-moment brawling. But the devil is in the details: online co-op stability, progression depth, and a monetization plan that respects the fanbase. If Tribute nails those, early 2026 can’t come soon enough.
Scott Pilgrim EX is shaping up as a legit new chapter, not a nostalgia cash-in. Seven fighters, a fresh O’Malley-led story, and Anamanaguchi’s music set the stage—now Tribute has to deliver deep combat and rock-solid co-op. Keep an eye on roster depth, online stability, and whether this one gets a preservation-friendly release.
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