He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction is a retro-inspired side-scrolling beat ’em up that brought classic cartoon action to Gamescom 2025, developed by Bitmap Bureau and published by Limited Run Games.
This title is a loving tribute to the iconic 1980s animated series, inviting players to “have the power” once more with both solo and two-player co-op multiplayer
Setting and Gameplay Overview
Set in the vibrant world of Eternia, the game follows He-Man, Teela, Man-At-Arms, and other heroes as they battle to prevent Skeletor and Evil-Lyn from using the legendary Dragon Pearl to plunge the realm into darkness. The campaign features 12 diverse, handcrafted levels including iconic locations like Castle Grayskull, Snake Mountain, and the Royal Palace. Each playable character brings signature abilities—He-Man’s brute strength, Teela’s acrobatics, and Man-At-Arms’ tech attacks—creating distinct approaches and combos that spice up combat.
Features
Classic Beat ’Em Up Combat: Inspired by genre staples like Final Fight and Streets of Rage, the fighting system blends hard-hitting melee combos, blocks, throws, and visually spectacular special moves.
Magic Powers and Upgrades: Pick up power-ups, chain magical attacks, and unleash devastating finishers unique to each hero. Environmental hazards and weapon pickups add strategic variety to every battle.
Co-op Action: The game supports two-player co-op, letting friends team up against waves of Skeletor’s minions, with opportunities for team combos and shared power-ups.
Pixel Art Style: The detailed, nostalgic pixel graphics evoke the 1980s cartoon, with large animated sprites and colorful backdrops that pay homage to Masters of the Universe’s classic aesthetic.
Epic Boss Battles: Face off against Skeletor, Evil-Lyn, Trapjaw, and other familiar villains. Even Battle Cat can leap into action alongside the heroes for devastating charge attacks.
Lore and Fan Service: Deep pull characters and storylines from He-Man’s lore, including appearances from Granamyr, Shadow Beasts, and Shokoti, round out a campaign described by developers as “an arcade game He-Man fans have always dreamed of”.
Visuals and Atmosphere
Dragon Pearl of Destruction’s presentation blends chunky retro pixel art with fluid animation and large, expressive character sprites. Each stage bursts with color and references, immersing players in an authentic, vibrant Eternia
Impressions from Gamescom 2025
The Gamescom demo delivered a satisfying mix of nostalgia and modernized gameplay, even when we were not able to play the coop mode itself, capturing both the heroic tone and playful charm of He-Man’s universe. With inventive combo systems, challenging boss fights, and classic co-op fun, Dragon Pearl of Destruction looks set to empower a new generation of Masters of the Universe fans while delighting those who grew up with the series
Release & Platforms:
The Game should launch pretty soon in 2026 on all major plattforms
