Death By Scrolling Announced for Nintendo Switch: Roguelike Mayhem from Ron Gilbert and MicroProse

MicroProse and Terrible Toybox have officially announced that their vertically scrolling roguelike RPG, Death By Scrolling, is coming to the Nintendo Switch.

With acclaimed creator Ron Gilbert—renowned for his work on the iconic Monkey Island series—leading its development, this title is poised to make an impact on the Switch eShop.

Although launch timing has yet to be revealed, the confirmation of a Nintendo Switch release has sparked considerable excitement among fans of indie Nintendo games and roguelike experiences alike. Death By Scrolling immerses players in the depths of purgatory, creatively reimagined as a bureaucratic afterlife under new management.

Gamers can choose from an assortment of playable characters, each with unique perks and abilities tailored to different playstyles.

Players must race vertically upward through procedurally generated levels, fending off a host of monstrous adversaries while the menacing Grim Reaper gives relentless chase from below.

The goal: accumulate enough gems and gold to appease the Ferryman and secure passage across the fabled river. Ron Gilbert, speaking on behalf of the development team at Terrible Toybox, described Death By Scrolling as 'a blend of frantic action and whimsical storytelling, designed to challenge players with fast-paced gameplay and keep them entertained with quirky humor.' Core features include: - A diverse roster of characters, offering distinct playstyles and special abilities. - Rapid, upward-scrolling gameplay where the constantly rising screen leaves no time for hesitation—fall behind and it’s game over. - The Grim Reaper, an ever-present threat who cannot be defeated, only evaded or stunned for short respites. - Dynamic loot collection and progression, empowering players to unlock upgrades, power-ups, and enhancements via eccentric vendors encountered mid-run. - Bonus runs and optional side quests atop each level, presenting additional opportunities for rewards. - A colorful array of underworld adversaries, ranging from minor minions to formidable demonic bosses. - A distinctive sense of humor and narrative style, poking fun at the afterlife’s bureaucracy with witty dialogue and story beats. - Integrated leaderboards, allowing players to compare their high scores with those of friends and other purgatorial escapees globally. The game’s official trailer, available now, offers a firsthand look at its energetic vertical action and aesthetic, highlighting both its challenging mechanics and tongue-in-cheek tone. While a specific release date for Death By Scrolling on Nintendo Switch remains forthcoming, both MicroProse and Terrible Toybox have assured fans that launch plans and further gameplay details will be shared in the near future.

In the meantime, the Nintendo community can anticipate another inventive addition to the Switch eShop’s ever-expanding library of indie roguelikes. For the latest updates on Death By Scrolling and all things Nintendo Switch, stay tuned to our continuing coverage.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo eShop Switch Switch eShop Terrible Toybox developer Ron Gilbert Death By Scrolling MicroProse RPG