Sumo Digital has revealed 2D beat ’em up Pass The Punch, a new IP that will release on Nintendo Switch.
Set in a world that’s influenced by ’80s and ’90s Saturday morning cartoons, it started out as a game jam submission before entering development at their Nottingham and Pune studios.
The game will follow the story of Rush, a resident of New Atlas, who must defeat King Crab and Red Velvet – dastardly villains that want to turn her favorite hangouts into lifeless, corporate franchises.
It’s up to Rush and her three friends to claim back their city for the people. Those that live in New Atlas can transform into powerful beings with abilities based on their everyday lives.
For example, Rush is a gym owner who transforms into a lightning-quick boxing champion, whereas her friend Claud is a LARPer who can use her foam sword to turn into a badass berserker.
Whether solo with an AI sidekick or in two-player local co-op, you can choose to fight as Rush, Claud, Beetle, or Wizard.
You will need to learn the moves of combos of each fighter, with the attacks for each complementing the others – to then “pass the punch” to create an ultimate attack that changes based on which characters combine their powers.
“Pass The Punch started off as my submission to a Sumo game jam,” explains creator David Dino. “It calls back to some of my favorite beat ’em ups, fighting games, and animated series. I’m thrilled that Sumo decided to make it into a full game!”
Sumo Digital managing director Gary Dunn adds: “We have an enormous amount of creative talent in each of our seven studios and encourage every member of staff to take part in our game jams.
“David’s submission stood out for its ‘easy to learn, hard to master’ gameplay and follows in the footsteps of Snake Pass as a game jam concept that became a published product. It’s exciting and rewarding to see our teams’ imaginations deliver unique IP like this!”
Pass The Punch will release on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch worldwide in 2019.
