ChainStaff, an intense side-scrolling action platformer, has officially been announced for Nintendo Switch by publisher Null Games and developer Mommy’s Best Games.
Set for digital release on April 8, 2026, via the Nintendo eShop, ChainStaff promises adrenaline-fueled combat packed with unique weapon mechanics, mutating enemies, and a vibrant, hand-drawn world. Developed by the inventive studio Mommy’s Best Games, with publishing support from Null Games, ChainStaff challenges players to battle through a post-invasion Earth, now overrun by a hostile alien species known as the Star Spores.
These invaders have twisted the planet’s creatures into fearsome, larger-than-life monsters, infusing the game with a menacing yet creative array of foes and imposing boss encounters. At the heart of ChainStaff’s gameplay is its eponymous weapon—a versatile, transforming spear combined with a grappling hook.
This signature mechanic allows players to hurl the ChainStaff as a spear, deploy it for defense as a shield, or swing and grapple across the treacherous terrain, all with a single intuitive control scheme.
According to the developer, this arsenal is pivotal for tackling the game’s numerous platforming challenges and combat scenarios, offering a blend of strategy and high-octane action. Players are thrust into a desperate struggle not only for survival but for humanity’s future.
With an alien entity fused to their character’s head, players must decide how to interact with fellow human soldiers stranded throughout the game’s harsh environments.
Each choice—whether to rescue allies or use them to enhance personal power—leads to divergent endings, offering replay value and moral dilemmas rarely seen in the action platformer genre. ChainStaff’s visuals draw heavily from the album art of the 1970s and 80s, featuring fully hand-drawn environments that immerse players in surreal landscapes ranging from wind-blown hills to rain-soaked cliffs.
The game’s atmosphere is elevated by a dynamic classic metal soundtrack, composed by the award-winning Deon van Heerden, known for his work on acclaimed titles such as Broforce and Warhammer 40000: Shootas, Blood & Teef.
The soundtrack spans thunderous riffs and pulsing rhythms, adding emotional depth and energy to every level. ChainStaff is set to launch exclusively on the Nintendo Switch platform on April 8, 2026, with a digital retail price of $14.99.
A release date trailer will premiere on February 5, offering fans their first look at the game in action.
With its combination of innovative weapon mechanics, brutal combat, and a distinctive audio-visual presentation, ChainStaff is positioned to make a mark among indie releases on Nintendo's hybrid console. Stay tuned for further updates on ChainStaff, including developer insights and gameplay reveals, as its Nintendo Switch debut approaches.
Set for digital release on April 8, 2026, via the Nintendo eShop, ChainStaff promises adrenaline-fueled combat packed with unique weapon mechanics, mutating enemies, and a vibrant, hand-drawn world. Developed by the inventive studio Mommy’s Best Games, with publishing support from Null Games, ChainStaff challenges players to battle through a post-invasion Earth, now overrun by a hostile alien species known as the Star Spores.
These invaders have twisted the planet’s creatures into fearsome, larger-than-life monsters, infusing the game with a menacing yet creative array of foes and imposing boss encounters. At the heart of ChainStaff’s gameplay is its eponymous weapon—a versatile, transforming spear combined with a grappling hook.
This signature mechanic allows players to hurl the ChainStaff as a spear, deploy it for defense as a shield, or swing and grapple across the treacherous terrain, all with a single intuitive control scheme.
According to the developer, this arsenal is pivotal for tackling the game’s numerous platforming challenges and combat scenarios, offering a blend of strategy and high-octane action. Players are thrust into a desperate struggle not only for survival but for humanity’s future.
With an alien entity fused to their character’s head, players must decide how to interact with fellow human soldiers stranded throughout the game’s harsh environments.
Each choice—whether to rescue allies or use them to enhance personal power—leads to divergent endings, offering replay value and moral dilemmas rarely seen in the action platformer genre. ChainStaff’s visuals draw heavily from the album art of the 1970s and 80s, featuring fully hand-drawn environments that immerse players in surreal landscapes ranging from wind-blown hills to rain-soaked cliffs.
The game’s atmosphere is elevated by a dynamic classic metal soundtrack, composed by the award-winning Deon van Heerden, known for his work on acclaimed titles such as Broforce and Warhammer 40000: Shootas, Blood & Teef.
The soundtrack spans thunderous riffs and pulsing rhythms, adding emotional depth and energy to every level. ChainStaff is set to launch exclusively on the Nintendo Switch platform on April 8, 2026, with a digital retail price of $14.99.
A release date trailer will premiere on February 5, offering fans their first look at the game in action.
With its combination of innovative weapon mechanics, brutal combat, and a distinctive audio-visual presentation, ChainStaff is positioned to make a mark among indie releases on Nintendo's hybrid console. Stay tuned for further updates on ChainStaff, including developer insights and gameplay reveals, as its Nintendo Switch debut approaches.
