Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate is a side-scrolling 2D beat 'em up developed and published by Rocket Panda Games. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate Review Overview

What is Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate?

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate is a side-scrolling beat 'em up built from the ground up using Unreal Engine 5. Developed and published by Rocket Panda Games, it is available on PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 4. The game follows Waka, the daughter of the Kumon Family—a clan sworn to protect the world from the Phantom—and her friend Mikoto as they confront a mysterious figure intent on unleashing dark powers.

Alongside allies Itsuki and Yuzuha, the group battles across parallel worlds in a mission to rescue their friend Nagi. This updated version features cross-platform online multiplayer for up to eight players and includes all characters from previous Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds and Overdrive editions, as well as new characters.

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate features:
　⚫︎　Beat’ em up
　⚫︎　Anime
　⚫︎　Online Co-op
　⚫︎　Local Co-Op
　⚫︎　Unreal Engine 5
　⚫︎　All New Soundtrack
　⚫︎　Pixel Art Style

Steam		Switch		Epic Store
PlayStation			Xbox
Price		$24.99

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Incredible Roster Size Addicting Gameplay Loop Hypnotic and Beautiful Visuals Chaotic Multiplayer	Way too Easy

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate Overall Score - 80/100

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate doesn’t just polish the original—it supercharges it to overdrive. This remaster elevates nearly every aspect, from its vibrant aesthetic overhaul to its smoother combat. It’s incredibly easy but dangerously addictive. Before you know it, you’ll be sinking hours into experimenting with the colorful roster and diving headfirst into the beautifully chaotic madness that is its multiplayer mode.

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate Story - 6/10

The narrative in Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate provides a serviceable framework for its action, with four playable characters whose unique perspectives and interactions introduce subtle variations across playthroughs. This layered approach adds a touch of replayability to the story mode. However, the plot can become somewhat tangled, and newcomers may find it difficult to form a strong connection with the cast, as the game offers limited character development within its fast-paced structure.

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate Gameplay - 9/10

While the game leans heavily on the easier side of the difficulty spectrum, it more than compensates with its irresistibly addictive beat-'em-up gameplay loop. Its expansive and uniquely designed roster keeps each playthrough feeling fresh, while the chaotic—yet undeniably fun—multiplayer modes, both co-op and versus, elevate the experience even further. It’s the kind of game that effortlessly consumes hours, offering a surprising amount of replay value that rewards both casual and dedicated players alike.

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate Visuals - 9/10

The game is a visual delight, blending charming chibi-style pixel art with the power of Unreal Engine to create a vibrant, dynamic world where characters truly pop off the screen. The combat becomes even more engaging thanks to the rich, layered visuals—an explosion of color and motion that somehow never feels chaotic. Instead, it cultivates a hypnotic rhythm of progress and satisfaction, drawing players in with every frame.

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate Audio - 8/10

The newly composed soundtrack delivers an energetic punch that perfectly complements the on-screen action, amplifying the intensity of gameplay and immersing players in each encounter. Equally commendable is the fully voiced campaign, which adds a cinematic flair to the experience—offering players the choice between Japanese and English audio, a thoughtful inclusion that enhances accessibility and personal preference.

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate Value for Money - 8/10

Priced at $24.99 for the digital version and $39.99 for the physical standard edition—which includes additional bonus items—the game offers excellent value, especially for fans of the beat-’em-up genre. For the best experience, it’s highly recommended to play with friends; the online multiplayer is a blast, and thanks to cross-play support, you won’t have to worry about platform compatibility—just jump in and enjoy the chaos together. Still, playing by yourself and local co-op is an absolute blast.

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate Review: Kicked into Overdrive!

I was genuinely surprised to learn that Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds would be receiving a full remaster after so many years, but that surprise quickly turned into excitement. The idea of revisiting this beloved beat-’em-up spin-off from the Phantom Breaker fighting series was thrilling—especially with the announcement that it would be rebuilt from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5. Promises of new soundtracks, additional playable characters, refined combat mechanics, smoother frame rates, and higher resolution visuals only fueled the anticipation.

That said, I approached the news with cautious optimism. We've all seen our fair share of underwhelming remasters—projects that feel more like a cash-in than a celebration. But after spending time with this new version, I can confidently say this isn’t one of them. Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate lives up to its name. It’s a definitive edition that not only honors the original, but elevates it in every meaningful way.

Absolutely Gorgeous Visuals

The first thing that immediately stood out upon launching Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate was the striking visual upgrade. The transition to Unreal Engine 5 breathes new life into every aspect of the game—from character animations and enemy designs to the vibrant, detailed stage backdrops. The enhanced fidelity makes everything pop with clarity and style.

Beat-’em-ups often run the risk of visual clutter due to the sheer amount of action on screen, but Phantom Breaker skillfully avoids becoming overwhelming. Characters are well-outlined and readable, allowing you to stay focused even in the heat of battle. What’s particularly satisfying is the way enemies explode into a shower of coins, rubies, and points—it’s not just visually rewarding, but also psychologically reinforcing. The constant stream of shiny loot feels like the game is celebrating your success in real time, creating a rhythm that’s almost hypnotic.

The sprite work deserves special praise—each character bursts with personality, from the quirky enemy designs to the lovable and energetic heroes. The alternate skins are a delightful touch, adding variety and flair. As a long-time fan of Steins;Gate, I was especially thrilled to see Kurisu make a guest appearance, but I also found myself drawn to characters like Waka and M, whose charm and unique designs make them stand out.

Even the new animated opening feels like something out of a modern anime series—stylish, high-energy, and instantly memorable.

I Can Beat-Em-Up All Day

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate is the kind of game that effortlessly consumes your time—and you’ll hardly notice. Its gameplay loop is undeniably addictive, bordering on hypnotic, with a satisfying rhythm of combat, progression, and reward that keeps pulling you back in for “just one more run.”

The game offers a variety of modes—Story, Arcade, Co-op, and Battlegrounds—each designed to suit different play styles. For newcomers, Story Mode is the ideal starting point. Not only does it provide important context and introduce you to the game’s cast, it also serves as a gateway to unlocking new characters and maps. It’s a smart move to level up the core quartet—Mikoto, Waka, Itsuki, and Yuzuha—early on here, especially if you plan to dive into the more competitive Versus Mode.

Combat in Phantom Breaker is deeper than your typical beat-’em-up, drawing inspiration from traditional fighting games. With a layered mix of light, heavy, and special attacks—and the ability to shift between the foreground and background of stages—it demands both reflex and strategy. The moment-to-moment gameplay feels incredibly fluid and flashy, and mastering a character’s moveset is a genuine pleasure. Whether you're chaining together stylish combos or adapting your tactics to enemy types, there’s a gratifying sense of growth with every encounter.

Each stage plays like a side-scrolling gauntlet: defeat waves of enemies section by section until you reach the boss. And the boss battles themselves are a highlight—from fighting alternate versions of characters like Hitomi to taking down a literal truck, the variety keeps things exciting. Certain characters even have clear advantages depending on the enemy type; for instance, Waka’s long-range naginata makes her ideal for dealing with aerial threats and fast-moving targets like motorcycles.

The progression system adds yet another layer to the gameplay. As you defeat enemies, you earn points to level up and unlock new skills, customizing your characters to suit your preferred playstyle. This RPG-like system gives every punch and combo added weight, making progress feel tangible and personal.

Multiplayer is where the chaos truly shines. Whether you're teaming up in 6-player co-op or battling it out in 8-player Versus Mode, the experience is consistently smooth and wildly entertaining. The inclusion of cross-platform play is a huge plus, ensuring you can join friends no matter their setup. With such a diverse character roster, every match feels different, and the sheer variety ensures that the action never gets stale.

Arcade Mode is another standout, perfect for dropping in and grinding through stages with your favorite characters. Whether you prefer the classic setup or the more fast-paced Time Trial, both options offer hours of replayability and challenge.

Gotta Unlock ‘Em All!

One of Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate's most impressive features is its generous roster of 38 playable characters—each one offering a unique playstyle, skill set, and strategic flavor. From the moment you begin unlocking them, it becomes clear that this isn’t just about padding the numbers. The variety here is deliberate, and it adds tremendous depth and replayability to the game.

Every character brings something different to the table. Mikoto, for example, functions as a solid all-rounder and is an excellent choice for newcomers looking to grasp the core mechanics. On the other hand, characters like Fauru provide a steeper learning curve, but mastering their quirks feels incredibly satisfying. This range ensures that both casual players and competitive enthusiasts will find someone who clicks with their preferred style.

What makes the roster even more engaging is the inclusion of enemy characters—who become playable in Arcade Mode once unlocked. It’s a clever design choice that not only expands your options, but also gives players a deeper connection to the game’s world and lore.

And of course, the guest characters are a real treat. The inclusion of Kurisu Makise from Steins;Gate and Rimi Sakihata from Chaos;Head is more than just fanservice—it’s a thoughtful nod to the broader universe Phantom Breaker exists within. Unlocking them feels genuinely rewarding, and their presence adds an extra layer of excitement for longtime visual novel fans.

Ultimately, the roster isn’t just large—it’s rich with personality, diversity, and gameplay depth. Unlocking, leveling, and mastering each fighter adds dozens of hours of value, making it a cornerstone of the game’s appeal.

Incredibly Easy

If there’s one notable critique to level at Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate, it’s the game’s overall lack of challenge—even on its highest difficulty setting. Despite the visual chaos and explosive energy that fills every screen, the actual threat level remains surprisingly mild. Enemy AI, including that of the bosses, rarely pushes back in a meaningful way, and it’s often possible to brute-force your way through encounters with little strategic input.

Button mashing can carry you far—too far, in fact—which can lead to a sense of repetitiveness over time, especially for players seeking a more tactical or demanding experience. The combat remains fun, but the ease of progression can flatten what might otherwise be more intense, skill-testing battles.

That said, the game offers avenues for those craving a more rigorous challenge. Time Attack Mode in Arcade provides a welcome sense of urgency, pushing players to optimize their strategies under pressure. Likewise, online Versus Mode is where the real competition lies, inviting you to test your mastery against human opponents who won’t go down nearly as easily.

While the core gameplay loop is engaging and stylish, a bit more resistance from the game itself would elevate it from satisfying to truly compelling. Still, for those willing to seek out the more challenging corners of the game, the tools are there—you just have to dig a little deeper.

Is Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate Worth It?

Break Your Hands, Not Your Wallet

While Phantom Breaker won’t break your wallet with its reasonable price, it will certainly break your hand because of the hours you'll pour into it and the relentlessly button-mashing addictive gameplay. Every moment spent in this game feels rewarding, making it easy to lose track of time. Fans of the beat-’em-up genre will find themselves thoroughly satisfied, and for long-time followers of the series, this installment may just be the best of the bunch. Whether you’re playing solo or with friends, it’s an incredibly fun and engaging experience that will keep you coming back for more.

Steam		Switch		Epic Store
PlayStation			Xbox
Price		$24.99

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate FAQ

How Many Playable Characters are in Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate?

There are 38 playable characters in total, with the starting roster including:

　⚫︎　Mikoto
　⚫︎　Itsuki
　⚫︎　Kurisu
　⚫︎　Waka
　⚫︎　Yuzuha
　⚫︎　Frau
　⚫︎　Shin-Waka
　⚫︎　Aka-Mikoto
　⚫︎　L
　⚫︎　Shiro-Mikoto
　⚫︎　M
　⚫︎　Cocoa
　⚫︎　Nagi
　⚫︎　Infinity

Does Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate Support Cross-play?

Yes, according to M. Panda, CEO of Rocket Panda Games, the game will support cross-play.

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Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate Product Information

Title	Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate
Release Date	April 17, 2025
Developer	Rocket Panda Games
Publisher	Rocket Panda Games Japan
Supported Platforms	PC, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series XIS
Genre	Beat Em Up, Anime
Number of Players	1-8
ESRB Rating	E
Official Website	Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate Website

Uriel Rodriguez

Writer | Gamer | Self-Proclaimed Digimon/Sujimon/Persona/Palworld/Pokémon Master