Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands, the music-themed indie RPG from developer Five Houses LLC, has arrived on Nintendo Switch alongside a launch trailer shared this week. The game launched on June 30, 2026, also releasing simultaneously on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.
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From cult PC hit to consoles
Originally launched on PC in 2023, the game currently holds 98% positive reviews on Steam, making it one of the most acclaimed small RPGs of that year. Creator Dan Martin acknowledged at announcement that while “the game remained largely unknown, the reception over the years has been extremely positive amongst those who’ve played it.”
Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands is a collaborative effort between Dan Martin and Five Houses – two friends who grew up together making games. The game is based on the popular webcomic Deathbulge, by “moatee” creator Dan Martin.
What the Switch version includes
The console launch doesn’t simply port the existing game across – this edition includes all new content from the latest update, adding extra items, an optional Easy Mode, and tougher boss variants. Existing Steam players received those additions as a free update, while console players jump straight into the most complete version available.
Dan Martin noted that playing it handheld on Switch “wherever you like – just feels so right for Deathbulge’s unique twist on semi-real-time RPGs.”
Measure Effects combat and core features
Players take control of Faye, Ian and Briff – a 3-piece band of dysfunctional friends caught up in a cursed battle of the bands contest where all entrants can attack with music and must fight to the death. The game’s signature “Measure Effects” combat system merges real-time decision-making with turn-based structure, requiring active choices between turns that influence the flow of combat.
Customisation plays a major role, with nine music-inspired classes available – from the support-focused Busker to the self-damaging, high-risk Headbanger, each with unique abilities, perks, and visual styles.
The item system also breaks from RPG convention: instead of stockpiling consumables, players permanently unlock merchandise items that draw from a shared resource pool, reducing inventory management while encouraging experimentation.
Here is a quick breakdown of the key features at a glance:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Play time | ~15-20 hours |
| Classes | 9 music-themed |
| Encounters | No random – visible on field |
| Items | Permanent merch with shared STOCK |
| Extras | Battle Jacket patches, dating segment |
The original soundtrack was composed by Leslie Wai and Patrick Henaghan.
Price and availability
Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands launched on Nintendo Switch at $19.99 USD via the Nintendo eShop.
You can grab Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands right now for [price] – check the live price table above for the best deal in your currency.
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The Switch version is a strong entry point for anyone who missed the PC launch. A game that earned a near-perfect Steam rating with a small audience deserves a wider one – and handheld play suits the RPG’s pick-up-and-play pacing well.