It’s been almost fifteen years since the original Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game landed on our screens and turned a cult comic into a playable, pixel-soaked anthem. That game became a classic in its own right — and now, in 2026, Tribute Games is back to close the circle with Scott Pilgrim EX. I played it at Gamescom, and it didn’t just tickle nostalgia. It blasted it through a Marshall amp and cranked it to eleven.
A Beat ’em Up that wants more
The first surprise? This isn’t just the old formula dressed up. Where the original was a straight brawler with RPG elements, EX feels more like an adventure beat ’em up. The city isn’t a string of linear stages anymore. It’s a connected map, filled with branching paths, side quests, and reasons to revisit earlier areas. One mission had me blowing up a blocked beach path to open a shortcut; another teased hidden items only accessible with a new move. It’s the kind of loop that makes you want to backtrack, experiment, and squeeze every pixel for secrets.
This structure pulls it closer to River City Ransom than pure arcade brawlers, and it’s exactly what gives the game its own personality. It’s not just about fighting waves of enemies, it’s about exploring a version of Toronto that’s weird, playful, and bursting with surprises.
New faces in the band
Scott’s still here, of course, but this time he doesn’t have to fight alone. The playable roster expands with two newcomers: Lucas and Roxie. I spent most of my session as Roxie, the faster, more acrobatic fighter of the group. Her strikes come quick, her combos flow naturally, and she feels like a perfect pick if you like speed over brute force. Lucas, on the other hand, hits like a truck slower but devastating. Together with Scott’s balanced kit, the trio already felt diverse, and the full release promises even more characters to swap between.
What really sells it is how expressive each style is. This isn’t just palette swaps but every character feels tuned with their own quirks. Combine that with the shared coin system (yes, your greedy co-op buddy can grab all the loot before you), and the game thrives on chaos and laughter.
Combos, chaos, and catching turnips
The combat itself is classic Tribute Games. If you’ve played Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge, you know their signature: sharp, snappy controls that make every hit satisfying. Enemies fly across the screen, objects become makeshift weapons (I threw a beach ball into a mob and caught it on the rebound, never gets old), and special moves light things up once your meter fills.
The beauty is in the rhythm. You’re not just button-mashing; you’re weaving combos, dodging at the right moment, and using the environment to your advantage. It’s arcade chaos, but it’s chaos you can conduct like a band on stage.
A beautiful tribute
Visually, it’s stunning. Paul Robertson’s pixel art still feels iconic, but here it’s brighter, bolder, and packed with little Easter eggs. From sly nods to retro gaming (yes, I spotted a familiar evil sun in the background) to surreal Toronto backdrops, the game is a feast for anyone who loves hand-crafted 2D art.
And while I couldn’t fully hear it on the noisy Gamescom floor, knowing that Anamanaguchi is back on soundtrack duties is enough. Their chiptune-rock fusion was half the soul of the original game, and hearing even a glimpse of it through the convention buzz was enough to confirm that EX will sound as good as it looks.
Early conclusion:
Walking away from the demo, I couldn’t shake the grin. Scott Pilgrim EX is a huge step forward. By blending sharp brawling with exploration, layering in new characters, and doubling down on Tribute’s chaotic co-op magic, it’s shaping up to be one of 2026’s most fun couch (or online) experiences.
