Necro Pop is the new action platformer from Naula Studio, launching in 2027 for Neo Geo MVS and AES, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam. The project is being built directly for Neo Geo hardware rather than simply imitating retro aesthetics, combining colorful 16-bit pixel art with what the team calls “Arcadevania”: immediate arcade action mixed with exploration, abilities and replayable dungeons.
The protagonist is Poppi, a ghost caught in the land of Ghostreach while an evil darkness known as The Gloam traps friendly spirits across the world. Everything changes when Poppi discovers an ancient amulet capable of giving her a corporeal form. With physical abilities now available, she can enter dungeons, free captured ghosts and fight back against the creatures occupying Ghostreach.
Combat is built around variety rather than one fixed combo. Poppi can charge attacks for greater impact, launch fireballs, blow bubbles that also help with movement and pogo across enemies. A mysterious minion may also join the journey, adding another tool during fights. New abilities and upgrades gradually expand both combat and traversal, opening different ways to approach the same dungeon.
Exploration remains closely tied to the arcade side of the design. Levels hide secrets, upgrades and routes worth revisiting, while replayability comes from combining movement, magic and attacks in different ways. The Neo Geo version is designed around the original platform’s capabilities, using expressive characters, bright environments and a presentation shaped by classic arcade hardware rather than a modern filter placed on top.
A free Steam demo is available now and includes the complete third level, giving players an early look at Poppi’s movement, combat and abilities. Necro Pop will also be playable at Tokyo Game Show 2026 from September 17 to 21, with Naula Studio exhibiting at booth C35 in Hall 9 of Makuhari Messe in Chiba.
