Like a lot of kids who came of "begging their mom for action figures" age in the 80s, I thrilled to the adventures of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe. I never envisioned he'd still be a thing four decades later. But thanks to the cartoons, movies, and memes, He-Man never really left pop culture. 2026 could be his year for a comeback, if not a new haircut. He has a new movie coming as well as a new game, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction.
It's a 2D brawler heavily influenced by titles such as Sega classic Golden Axe, brought to us by publisher Limited Run Games and developer Bitmap Bureau. If you recognize the name, it's no doubt because you played hits such as Final Vendetta or the brand new Terminator 2D: No Fate.
It's crazy we didn't get a game like this back in the 80s or 90s, but believe it or not, He-Man only had two seasons. I was flabbergasted as you are. But because these beloved toons were glorified toy commercials, those two seasons had 130 episodes. They cranked those things out so He-Man, GI Joe, and their buddies were never far from kids' minds.
Josh Fairhurst, CEO and Executive Producer at Limited Run, believes Bitmap has created the arcade game he yearned for as a child. Players can choose Man-At-Arms, Teela, or of course, He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe! Naturally, you'll battle enemies such as Evil-Lyn, Beast Man, and noted villain and meme star Skeletor.
You'll summon the Power of Grayskull through 12 levels with character specific moves and powers, including Battle Kat, He-Man's trusty feline companion.
“Dragon Pearl of Destruction is one of the exciting ways we’re bringing Mattel’s brands to life through digital games,” Erika Winterholler, Head of Business Development, Digital Games at Mattel, said. “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.”
We don't have a firm release yet, but it's expected in 2026. Will this one have the power of Grayskull?