 | Digital Release | Xbox 360 February 27, 2013 (AU, EU, JP, NA) PlayStation Vita March 13, 2014 (JP) July 30, 2014 (AU, EU) August 12, 2014 (NA) Steam January 23, 2015 PlayStation 4 (As Battle Grounds Overdrive) July 21, 2015 (JP) July 23, 2015 (NA) August 17, 2015 (AU, EU) Nintendo Switch (As Battle Grounds Overdrive) December 07, 2017 (AU, EU, JP, NA) |
| Delisting | February 2023 – Xbox 360 March 04, 2024 – Steam, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 June 2024 – PlayStation Vita |
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| Developer | 5pb. Games | |
| Publisher | MAGES Degica Games (Steam) [2015-2023] Rocket Panda Games (Current) |
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| Available On | Retail PlayStation Vita (JP) PlayStation 4, Vita (NA) [Limited Run Games] |
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| Links | SteamDB page Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds game page |
Delisting
Rocket Panda Games first announced in September of 2023 that a new remaster of Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds would be coming to PC and consoles in 2024. Unsurprisingly then, the studio recently announced that both Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds and Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive (as well as all of their DLC) will be removed from all digital stores on March 4th, 2024 to make way for Battle Grounds Ultimate.
We want to share with you some important news regarding Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds. Back in June 2022 we announced that we had acquired the Phantom Breaker IP from MAGES. and became the new stewards for the direction of the franchise with much excitement and we would like to share with you about what the future holds for the Phantom Breaker universe.
One of our goals with every one of our games is to ensure the best possible gaming experience for fans as well as users new to the world of Phantom Breaker.
The staff at Rocket Panda Games have been fans of Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds since its original release over 10 years ago on Xbox 360. In that time, technology has advanced and the bar has only gotten higher for games. The engine on which the original games were built is simply not conducive to being updated or added to, which makes it impossible for us to make any meaningful updates or add new content.
If you’re a big PBBG fan, the fight doesn’t end here!
On September 23rd, 2023 we announced Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate for Steam (PC), the Epic Game Store as well as PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox S | X and Nintendo Switch for release in 2024.This new game will be a remaster of the exceptional beat ‘em up that you’ve come to love but we’re confident that the new version will captivate you with its enhanced online features, modern design, and re-tuned gameplay. The new Battle Grounds game is being developed in-house by Rocket Panda Games with some of the same developers responsible for the original Battle Grounds as well as Phantom Breaker: Omnia. Their love of the franchise will ensure that the gameplay will be rock-solid while adding modern features and a scalable backend.
What’s going to happen to Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds and Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive?
The current versions of Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds and Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive developed and published by MAGES. will be removed from all digital storefronts along with related DLC content on March 4th, 2024.While both games and related DLC will no longer be available for new purchases from March 4th 2024, current owners will retain access to the game in their game library and can continue enjoying it without interruption. Thank you for being a part of this extraordinary adventure, and we look forward to showing you more of Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate in the near future.
Rocket Panda Games Announcement – December 14, 2023
Rocket Panda provided an additional FAQ section providing more details about the existing games and players’ previous purchases.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
For any specific questions regarding the transition or the new game, please visit the official Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate website. For questions regarding Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds, contact our support here.How is Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate going to differ from vanilla Battle Grounds and Overdrive?
Ultimate is being built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5 and contains quite a number of new features and improvements on top of the classic Battle Grounds experience. Visit the official website for more information at pbbgu.com.Can I still play the original Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds (PBBG) and Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Overdrive (PBBGOD) after they’re removed?
Yes, you will always be able to play the games’ offline modes as long as it remains in your library. All editions of PBBG and PBBGOD use their native platform’s online services. As long as those services are available, players should be able to matchmake and play online sessions. *Online functionality for the Vita version of PBBG is no longer available.Is there a way to migrate my progress to the new game?
Because the game will be running on a completely new engine made by a different developer, your progress from PBBG and PBBGOD will not be able to be transferred to Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate.Can I transfer my DLC purchases from the old game to Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate?
Previous DLC like the Kurisu Makise, Frau, Kemomimi Costume DLC, and FM sound generator BGM will be included in the base game of Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate. Any future DLC will have to be purchased for Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate as it is a brand new game in Unreal Engine 5.
Between the IP changing hands and the new game being developed in-house with a different engine (Unreal Engine 5), game progress and DLC purchases will not come forward to Ultimate. Phantom Breaker Battle Grounds was delisted as planned on most platforms on March 4th. The PlayStation Vita release remained available for some time afterwards, but was confirmed to be delisted between May & June 2024 based on a comment by Delisted Games reader We All Fall Down. The original Xbox 360 release from 2013 was previously delisted ahead of this announcement on around February 7th, 2023, amidst a wave of other Xbox 360 game and DLC removals.
About the Game
Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds is a 2D beat ’em up from Mages/5pb, the makers of Steins;Gate, Bullet Soul, and other great games. Choose a fighter and battle against the bizarre minions of the evil wizard Phantom. Enjoy classic beat ’em up gameplay with a fighting game twist. Dash through colorful Tokyo locales, strengthen your characters, team up with your friends, fight dragons and killer robots!
- Story Mode – Enjoy a lighthearted story as you battle Phantom’s minions across 8 stages inspired by famous Tokyo districts.
- Arcade Mode – Challenge yourself to get the biggest combo, the highest score, or the fastest completion time.
- Multiplayer – Easy to learn mechanics make playing with your friends a snap. Team up with your friends for the local co-op or online campaign, or go to the battlegrounds arena and fight a pitched PVP battle! Up to 4 players supported.
- Customizable, Persistent Characters – 4 starting characters and 6 unlockable ones. Each character has a fully customizable stat and skill tree, and levels persist between all modes. Choose a favorite character and build them how you like! Every character has unique special attacks.
- Retro Charm – Vibrant sprite graphics and a catchy chiptune-inspired soundtrack for the discerning retro gamer!
Thanks to an anonymous reader for submitting this game to the site