The Game Awards 2025 wasn’t the only place to find out new releases of upcoming video games: the Latin American Games Showcase 2025 introduced players to over 70+ indie games to come in 2026. The last game to be unveiled during the showcase, Mariachi Legends, brings a style that resembles the Castlevania and Metroid franchises but with a homage to Mexican culture integrated within the game. The vivid art style brings the surroundings to life, a stark contrast to the macabre, mystical overarching elements that players will have to traverse through in the game.

On the Mariachi Legends official Steam page, it gives an overview of the game:

“Mariachi Legends is a brutal, pixel art, combat-oriented Metroidvania set in the heart of Mexico. You play as Pablo Cruz, a detective who has agreed to a deal with Death herself. She has given Pablo the ability to transform into the mighty La Sombra, allowing him to fight back against the criminals encroaching on his hometown. In return, Pablo has vowed to bring Madre Catrina the one thing that has eluded her grasp: the man who defied her power and became immortal.”

The relationship between Mexican culture and death isn’t something new: The Day of the Dead holiday has grown into a globally recognized holiday (and basically the whole plot for Disney’s Coco). Mariachi Legends leans into thematics of death but also brings a layer of mystical wonder with a touch of classic combat to round out the game. Players can expect to explore the lively small town that the game is based in, have a glimpse into their luck with fortune telling, a day/night/full moon time system to enjoy adventures with different outcomes depending on the time, and collect new recipes to create (which, surprisingly, look great even in pixel art).

Halberd Studios have only confirmed a 2026 release date for PC and console systems.