Imagine He-Man combined with Golden Axe, and you’re halfway to Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction!
Limited Run Games has teamed up with Mattel to announce He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction, a side-scrolling 2D brawler, based on the iconic ‘80s TV series, with retro-inspired action and sumptuous pixel art.
Currently in development for PC and console, physical pre-orders and digital release are currently scheduled for early 2026.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction trailer
Anyone who was there in the 1980s will know that the classic toy line was sold by the memorable — and memeable — Filmation series, which this game clearly relies heavily upon:
That pixel-art animation is based on rotoscoped hand drawn images, and those backgrounds heavily recall those of the original cartoon. It looks like a playable cartoon!
“Dragon Pearl of Destruction is one of the exciting ways we’re bringing Mattel’s brands to life through digital games,” said Erika Winterholler, Head of Business Development, Digital Games at Mattel. “It’s a love letter to those who grew up with He-Man, combining nostalgic visuals with fast-paced, modern gameplay. Our goal is to honor the franchise’s legacy while introducing it to a new generation of players. The team at Limited Run Games shares that passion, and we hope the game connects with both lifelong fans and newcomers alike.”
Game details
The game will feature:
- 12 action-packed levels
- Character-specific moves, abilities, and power-ups
- Popular characters
- …and more
Developed with the Bitmap Bureau (who are close to releasing Terminator 2D: NO FATE), the game was unveiled on the opening night of Gamescom 2025.
Characters including Battle Cat, He-Man’s fearless feline companion, Man-At-Arms, Teela, Skeletor, and Evil-Lyn can be seen in the game, and a few others are identifiable in the trailer (see if you can spot them).
“Dragon Pearl of Destruction is the Masters of the Universe arcade game I yearned for as a child,” said Josh Fairhurst, CEO and Executive Producer at Limited Run Games. “I am excited and honored to be playing a small part in making it a reality.”
If He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction is half as good as it looks, it should prove to be a lot of fun.
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Christian Cawley is a writer and editor who covers consumer electronics, IT, and entertainment media. He has written for publications such as Computer Weekly, Linux Format, MakeUseOf.com, and Tech Radar.
He also produces podcasts, has a cigar box guitar, and of course, loves retro gaming.