Retro handheld gaming continues its renaissance, as we’ve got a fresh and delightful new Game Boy Color RPG to look forward to early next year in the form of Gumball in Trick-or-Treat Land.
This family-friendly adventure from developer Exquisite Laundry Pet and publisher Mega Cat Studios will officially launch on February 19, 2026. Notably, it’s coming not just to Steam, but also as a fully compatible Game Boy Color cartridge as well.
Gumball In Trick-Or-Treat Land Looks Delightful
Personally, I still have three functional Game Boy Advance handhelds in my possession (a modded one with a backlit screen, an original indigo GBA, and a blue GBA SP) but I’m most excited to get more games for my recently acquired ModRetro Chromatic. Since Gumball will be an authentic GBC game, that means it’ll play on any GBC or GBA compatible hardware.
For indie developers, nostalgia can be a powerful platform, but Gumball in Trick-or-Treat Land isn’t just banking on retro aesthetics. The project embraces the structure and charm of late-’90s handheld RPGs while introducing modern sensibilities and a whimsical tone inspired by Undertale. The result is a hybrid experience: accessible enough for newcomers, authentic enough for purists who still collect physical cartridges, and visually aligned with the distinct color palette that defined the Game Boy Color era.
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The game follows the candy-coated hero Gumball on a lighthearted Halloween-themed quest across Trick-or-Treat Land—a world filled with puns, quirky NPCs, and turn-based battles designed around resource management and “magickal” abilities. The experience blends puzzle-solving, potion brewing, party progression, and exploration in a style that calls back to classic handheld adventures while maintaining a comedic, family-friendly edge.
Including a Steam release for PC is really smart as well since a lot of people don’t still have Game Boy consoles, especially since a demo is already available there. The demo offers roughly two hours of early gameplay for those who want a preview before launch. With interest in “new retro” titles continuing to climb, and physical cartridge releases gaining momentum among collectors, Gumball in Trick-or-Treat Land is picking a good window to try and gain some traction.
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