Mariachi Legends Channels PS1 & DS Castlevania in New Metroidvania

Developer Halberd Studios has just dropped a new trailer for Mariachi Legends, a pixel-art Metroidvania that wears its Castlevania inspirations proudly on its sleeve. Announced via its Steam page, the game is being pitched as a love letter to the PlayStation and Nintendo DS-era Castlevania titles, specifically name-checking the legendary Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. It's currently slated for a multi-platform release in 2026.

🎮 Game Details- Developer: Halberd Studios (9 Years of Shadow)- Inspiration: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, DS-era Castlevania- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 1|2, PS5, PC (Steam)- Release: 2026

The premise is a brilliant mash-up of genres. You play as a detective who, upon discovering a magical guitar, can transform into a powerful Mariachi warrior. This sets the stage for exploring a vast, interconnected map filled with secrets, a mechanic that will feel instantly familiar to fans of the genre. The day/night cycle isn't just for show either, promising to affect both the world and the enemies you'll face.

What's in the Toolbox?

Beyond the core exploration, Mariachi Legends is packing some intriguing systems. The trailer hints at a wide variety of weapons to master, which is pure Symphony of the Night. But it's also adding its own flavour with cooking and tarot card mechanics. How these systems integrate with the core combat and progression could be what sets this homage apart from being a simple clone. The pixel art looks sharp, with detailed character sprites and environments that successfully evoke that late-90s/early-2000s aesthetic, a period many consider a golden age for 2D action games.

For the team at Halberd Studios, this is a follow-up to their 2023 title 9 Years of Shadow. That game was a well-received, if somewhat traditional, Metroidvania with a gorgeous art style. Mariachi Legends seems to be doubling down on a specific nostalgic vibe, directly targeting the hearts of Castlevania devotees who've been longing for a true successor to that particular style. With platforms confirmed for Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo's upcoming hardware, and PC, they're casting a wide net.

It's a long wait until 2026, but the initial pitch is undeniably strong. The combination of a unique mariachi-themed hero with the solid, exploration-heavy foundations of a classic Metroidvania is a recipe with a lot of potential. If you're keen to keep an eye on its development, wishlisting it on Steam is your best bet for now.

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