Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Classic

Released Jan 2015

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds! Enjoy fast and frantic arcade-style beat 'em up gameplay with cute characters. Beat up hordes of weird enemies with awesome special attacks. Local co-op and PVP supported for up to 4 players!

82% positive · 3,043 reviews

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Done

All announced content has been released

High confidence

Where to buy

Steam Updated 12 Oct 2026 $14.99

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Evaluation

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Classic is a 2D beat 'em up that originally launched in January 2015 and received a series of content updates and DLC over the following years. Its last DLC additions — a new playable character (Frau Koujiro) and an FM sound generator BGM pack — shipped on November 18, 2016, completing the game's DLC slate. All five listed DLC items are released with no unreleased entries remaining. In December 2023, Rocket Panda Games (who acquired the Phantom Breaker IP in 2022) published an official statement explaining that the original game's engine cannot be updated or expanded further, making it impossible to add new content. They announced that the game would be removed from storefronts on March 4, 2024, directing fans toward the separately developed Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate. Notably, however, the game remains purchasable on Steam as of today — the store listing is still active and the game can still be bought — so it has not been fully delisted despite the announced intent. The store page itself prominently notes that this "Classic" version is not compatible with or upgradable to the newer Ultimate release, reinforcing that this version is a closed, standalone product with no further development planned. The developer has explicitly stated that no meaningful updates or new content can be added due to engine limitations, making the completion of this game's content clear and definitive.

Evidence

Rocket Panda Games officially stated that the original game's engine cannot be updated or expanded, making it impossible to add new content. Announced storefront removal on March 4, 2024, and directed fans to the separately developed Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate.

news post · Dec 14, 2023 source development ending

high

Frau Koujiro character DLC released on November 18, 2016 — the last content addition to the game.

dlc listing · Nov 18, 2016 source content shipped

high

Content

5 of 5 released · no outstanding content

Released

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds - Frau Koujiro

Nov 2016

Released

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds - FM sound generator BGM

Nov 2016

Media

Details

Developer

MAGES. Inc.

Publisher

Rocket Panda Games

Achievements

Platform

Windows

Controller

full support

Steam Deck

Unsupported

Players

Single-player · Multiplayer · Co-op · PvP · Local/Split Screen

Anime Beat 'em up Action Cute Pixel Graphics Female Protagonist Local Co-Op Side Scroller Hack and Slash 2D Retro Arcade Great Soundtrack Fighting 4 Player Local

About this game

:::CAUTION::: Please note that "Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Classic" is not compatible or upgradable with the more recently released "Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds Ultimate" which is built using a completely different engine.

>>>>>

Phantom Breaker: Battle Grounds "CLASSIC" is the original 2D beat 'em up launched on Xbox Arcade from Mages/5pb, the makers of Steins;Gate and other mega-hit games. Choose a fighter and battle against the bizarre minions of the evil wizard Phantom. Enjoy classic beat 'em up gameplay with a fighting game twist. Dash through colorful Tokyo locales, strengthen your characters, team up with your friends, fight dragons and killer robots!

Story Mode - Enjoy a lighthearted story as you battle Phantom's minions across 8 stages inspired by famous Tokyo districts.
Arcade Mode - Challenge yourself to get the biggest combo, the highest score, or the fastest completion time.
Multiplayer - Easy to learn mechanics make playing with your friends a snap. Team up with your friends for the local co-op or online campaign, or go to the battlegrounds arena and fight a pitched PVP battle! Up to 4 players supported.
Customizable, Persistent Characters - 4 starting characters and 6 unlockable ones. Each character has a fully customizable stat and skill tree, and levels persist between all modes. Choose a favorite character and build them how you like! Every character has unique special attacks.
Retro Charm - Vibrant sprite graphics and a catchy chiptune-inspired soundtrack for the discerning retro gamer!