{{Short description|2025 video game}} {{mdy|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox video game | collapsible = | state = | italic title = | title = Ball x Pit | image = Ball x Pit cover.jpg | alt = | caption = | developer = Kenny Sun | publisher = [[Devolver Digital]] | director = Kenny Sun | designer = Kenny Sun | programmer = Kenny Sun | composer = [[Amos Roddy]] | series = | engine = [[Unity (game engine)|Unity]] | platforms = {{ubl|[[macOS]]|[[Nintendo Switch]]|[[PlayStation 5]]|[[Windows]]|[[Xbox Series X/S]]|[[Nintendo Switch 2]]|[[iOS]]|[[Android (operating system)|Android]]}} | released = {{ubl|'''macOS''', '''Nintendo Switch''', '''PlayStation 5''', '''Windows''', '''Xbox Series X/S'''|{{Start date|2025|10|15}}|'''Nintendo Switch 2'''|October 28, 2025|'''iOS''', '''Android'''|March 12, 2026}} | genre = | modes = [[Single-player]] }}
'''''Ball x Pit''''' is a [[roguelike]] video game developed by Kenny Sun and published by [[Devolver Digital]]. It was released on [[macOS]], [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 5]], [[Windows]] and [[Xbox Series X/S]] in October 2025, with a [[Nintendo Switch 2]] version released later that month. The game combines two separate gameplay loops, an ''[[Arkanoid]]''-inspired action stage where the player defeats monsters by bouncing balls against them, and a [[city builder]] stage where resources collected can be used to improve buildings that grant new characters and abilities in the action stage.
==Gameplay== ''Ball x Pit'' takes place in the ruins of Ballbylon after the city was destroyed by a meteor, leaving a giant pit. Adventurers come to the ruins to seek riches of the former city but must face hordes of monsters that lurk in the pit. [[Game Informer]] describes it as a game that combines [[roguelike]], [[bullet hell]] and [[City-building game|town-building simulation]] genres.<ref name="gi review"/>
The game has two separate stages. The first stage is inspired by [[Block kuzushi|block breaker]] games like ''[[Arkanoid]]''. In this stage, the player controls one of several adventurers, launching various balls at enemy forces that march slowly towards them; if any monster reaches the bottom of the field, they will damage the adventurer, and the run will be over if the adventurer takes too much damage. Each adventurer starts with a certain inventory of balls, some which can inflict special damage to the monsters. Similar to ''[[Vampire Survivors]]'', collecting gems dropped by the monsters levels up the adventurer, giving them the choice to add new balls, leveling up existing balls, or receiving passive items that affect the gameplay loop. At times, monsters will drop a special item that can be fissioned to drop several powerups, or used to fuse two existing balls into one with the effects of both, or evolve balls into a more powerful version. Each run is broken into multiple segments; the early segments end with a mini-boss fight while the final stage is against a powerful boss character.<ref name="gi review"/>
After either completing a run or losing all health, the adventurer returns to the surface to work on expanding a small village adjacent to the elevator that takes them into the pit. Using gold, blueprints, and material resources like wood and stone collected during the action stage, the player can build resource spaces or start the construction of buildings which can bring in additional adventurer characters or improve the attributes of all characters at the start of the action stage. The player can also expand the size of the village or upgrade existing structures with gold. To complete most of these actions or to collect resources, the player can assign workers to these spaces. The workers can collect resources or advance construction of buildings.<ref name="gi review"/> Over multiple runs, the player can also gain gears from boss fights that allow the pit elevator to reach different levels with new monsters and bosses to defeat.<ref name="gi review"/><ref>{{cite web |last=Baker |first=Brad |date=2025-10-15 |title=Just when you think 2025 hasn’t had enough great games to fill your time, another bounces into the chat. |url=https://expansivedlc.com/ball-x-pit-is-extremely-difficult-to-put-down-and-enjoyable-almost-every-step-of-the-way/ |access-date=24 November 2025 |website=Expansive DLC}}</ref>
==Development== Lead developer Kenny Sun said he was inspired by ''Punball'', a ball-breakout mobile game he had found around November 2021 that included roguelike elements. While he enjoyed the game, he felt there were several elements he could improve on, and after a few weeks, started work on his own game. As he expanded on his ideas, elements like introducing multiple adventures and the city-building supported the meta-progression between runs and keep the game interesting over multiple runs.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://gamerant.com/interview-ball-x-pit-classes-base-building-twitch-devolver-digital/ | title = BALL x PIT Creator Talks Classes, Base-Building, and Developing for Twitch With Devolver Digital | first = Jack | last = Peachey | date = October 13, 2025 | accessdate = October 19, 2025 | work = [[Game Rant]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Totilo |first=Stephen |date=2025-11-07 |title=Ball x Pit x Interview |url=https://www.gamefile.news/p/ball-x-pit-x-interview |access-date=24 November 2025 |website=Game File}}</ref>
On January 26, 2026, the game's first update, the ''Regal Update'' was released. The update features two new characters (The Falconer and The Carouser), eight new special balls and three passive abilities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ball X Pit Regal Update Available Now |url=https://xboxera.com/2026/01/26/ball-x-pit-regal-update-available-now/ |website=XboxEra |access-date=26 January 2026}}</ref> The update also features an endless mode and is the first of three planned updates for 2026.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ball x Pit's first update brings an endless mode and much more to the chaos |url=https://www.engadget.com/gaming/ball-x-pits-first-update-brings-an-endless-mode-and-much-more-to-the-chaos-174306548.html |website=Engadget |access-date=26 January 2026}}</ref>
On April 27, 2026, the second update, the ''Shadow Update'' was released. The update features an additional two new characters (The Tunneller and The Tiptoer), eleven new special balls and four new passive abilities. The update also adds an option to re-roll past upgrades.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ball x Pit has a new update because who needs free time anyway? |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/ball-x-pit/shadow-update |website=PCGamesN |access-date=29 April 2026}}</ref>
An [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] port of the game is scheduled to release on March 12, 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holt |first=Kris |date=2026-02-23 |title=Ball x Pit will land on iOS and Android on March 12 |url=https://www.engadget.com/gaming/ball-x-pit-will-land-on-ios-and-android-on-march-12-175159137.html |access-date=2026-02-23 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Reception== {{Video game reviews |MC = PS5: 88/100<ref name="mc ps5">{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/ball-x-pit/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-5 | title = BALL x PIT - PlayStation 5 | work = [[Metacritic]] | accessdate = October 19, 2025 }}</ref><br />NS: 89/100<ref name="mc switch">{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/ball-x-pit/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch | title = BALL x PIT - Nintendo Switch | work = [[Metacritic]] | accessdate = October 19, 2025 }}</ref><br />PC: 84/100<ref name="mc windows">{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/ball-x-pit/critic-reviews/?platform=pc | title = BALL x PIT - Windows | work = [[Metacritic]] | accessdate = February 15, 2026 }}</ref> |OC = 92% recommend<ref name="opencritic">{{cite web|url=https://opencritic.com/game/19209/ball-x-pit|title=''Ball x Pit''|publisher=[[OpenCritic]]|access-date=November 11, 2025}}</ref> |GI = 8.75/10<ref name="gi review">{{cite web | url = https://gameinformer.com/review/ball-x-pit/breathtaking-brick-breaking | title = Ball x Pit Review | first = Matt | last= Miller | date = October 15, 2025 | accessdate = February 15, 2026 | work = [[Game Informer]] }}</ref> |PCGUS = 80/100<ref name="pcgamer review">{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/games/roguelike/ball-x-pit-review/ | title = Ball X Pit review | first = Robert | last = Valentine | date = October 15, 2025 | accessdate = October 19, 2025 | work = [[PC Gamer]] }}</ref> |EuroG = 4/5<ref name="eg review">{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/ball-x-pit-review | title = Ball x Pit review - a laboratory of potential | first = Christian | last = Donlan | date = October 15, 2025 | accessdate = October 19, 2025 | work = [[Eurogamer]] }}</ref> }} <!-- unscored review <ref name="polygon review">{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/ball-x-pit-review/ | title = Ball x Pit tickles my lizard brain with its eternal, chaotic grind | first= Oli | last = Walsh | date = October 15, 2025 | accessdate = October 19, 2025 | work = [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] }}</ref> --> ''Ball x Pit'' received "generally favorable" reviews on multiple platforms according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name="mc ps5"/><ref name="mc switch"/><ref name="mc windows"/> Fellow review aggregator [[OpenCritic]] assessed that the game received "mighty" approval, being recommended by 92% of critics.<ref name="opencritic"/> The newly released iOS and Android version also received positive reviews.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shmatenko |first=Leonid |title=BALL X PIT |url=https://pocket-gaming.org/review-shorties/ball-x-pit/ |access-date=2026-03-15 |website=Pocketgaming |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Sales=== The game sold more than 300,000 units across all platforms in its first five days.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Austin |date=October 20, 2025 |title=Clever roguelike Ball x Pit sold 300,000 copies on Steam and consoles in 5 days, forever proving mankind yearns for 1976 Atari icon Breakout |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/roguelike/clever-roguelike-ball-x-pit-sold-300-000-copies-on-steam-and-consoles-in-5-days-forever-proving-mankind-yearns-for-1976-atari-icon-breakout/ |access-date=October 21, 2025 |website=[[GamesRadar+]] |language=en}}</ref>
In December 2025, the game surpassed 1 million copies sold worldwide. Following this success, the developers announced plans to support the game with three free content updates scheduled for release throughout 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Campbell |first=Evan |date=2025-12-02 |title=Ball X Pit Hits 1 Million Copies Sold And Will Roll Out Three Free Updates Next Year |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/ball-x-pit-hits-1-million-copies-sold-and-will-roll-out-three-free-updates-next-year/1100-6536655/ |access-date=2025-12-03 |website=[[GameSpot]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Accolades=== {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Award ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Refh}} |- | 2025 | [[The Game Awards 2025]] | Best Independent Game | {{nom}} | align="center" |<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Game Awards Nominations 2025: ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’ Becomes Most-Nominated Game Ever With 12 Nods |url=https://variety.com/2025/gaming/news/game-awards-nominations-2025-list-1236583686/ |last=Maas |first=Jennifer |date=2025-11-17 |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> |- | rowspan="11" | 2026 |[[New York Game Awards#15th (2026)|15th New York Game Awards]] | Excelsior Award for Best New York Game | {{won}} | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=2025-12-15 |title=After setting records at The Game Awards, Clair Obscur is up for another GOTY |url=https://www.polygon.com/new-york-game-awards-goty-nominations-clair-obscur/ |access-date=2025-12-16 |website=Polygon |language=en}}</ref><ref name="2026 GamesBeat">{{cite web |url=https://gamesbeat.com/clair-obscur-expedition-33-takes-game-of-the-year-at-new-york-game-awards/ |title=''Clair Obscur: Expedition 33'' takes Game of the Year at New York Game Awards |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |authorlink=Dean Takahashi |work=[[GamesBeat]] |date=January 18, 2026 |accessdate=January 19, 2026 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20260119032825/https://gamesbeat.com/clair-obscur-expedition-33-takes-game-of-the-year-at-new-york-game-awards/ |archivedate=January 19, 2026 |url-status=live |url-access=registration }}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" | [[Ultra Game Awards]] 2025 | Surprise of the Year (Independent Game) | {{nominated}} | rowspan="3" align="center" |<ref>{{cite web |title=1月20日，线下颁奖典礼见！ |url=https://www.ucg.cn/newsinfo/10939307.html |website=Ultra Console Game |language=zh |date=13 January 2026}} {{cite web |title=UGA2025颁奖典礼现已结束! |url=https://www.ucg.cn/newsinfo/10956581.html |website=Ultra Console Game |language=zh |date=20 January 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Zhang |first1=Zacky |title=UGA 2025 游戏大赏圆满落幕 |url=https://www.ign.com.cn/hollow-knight-silksong/58231/news/uga-2025-you-xi-da-shang-yuan-man-luo-mu |website=IGN China |language=zh |date=20 January 2026}}</ref> |- | Best Innovation (Independent Game) | {{won}} |- | Independent Game of the Year (Players' Voice) | {{nominated}} |- | rowspan="3"|[[26th Game Developers Choice Awards]] | Best Debut | {{nom}} | rowspan="3" align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/gdca-2026-nominees-winners/2900-7409/|title=Expedition 33 Wins Yet Another GOTY--See All The Winners From The 2026 Game Dev Awards|first=Eddie|last=Makuch|work=[[GameSpot]]|date=March 13, 2026|accessdate=March 15, 2026}}</ref> |- | Best Design | {{nom}} |- | Innovation Award | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="2" | 28th [[Independent Games Festival]] Awards | [[Seumas McNally Grand Prize]] | {{sho|Honorable mention}} | rowspan="2" align="center"|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/production/baby-steps-leads-28th-annual-igf-awards-nominations|title=Baby Steps leads 28th annual IGF Awards nominations|first=Chris|last=Kerr|work=[[Game Developer (magazine)|Game Developer]]|date=January 10, 2026|accessdate=January 18, 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/titanium-court-wins-seumas-mcnally-grand-prize-at-28th-annual-igf-awards|title=Titanium Court wins Seumas McNally Grand Prize at 28th annual IGF awards|first=Chris|last=Kerr|work=[[Game Developer (magazine)|Game Developer]]|date=March 13, 2026|accessdate=March 15, 2026}}</ref> |- | Excellence in Audio | {{nom}} |- | rowspan="2" | [[22nd British Academy Games Awards]] | [[British Academy Games Award for Game Design|Game Design]] | {{nom}} | rowspan="2" align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2025/gaming/news/bafta-game-longlist-indiana-jones-ghost-yotei-split-fiction-1236604921/|title=‘Indiana Jones and the Great Circle,’ ‘Ghost of Yōtei’ and ‘Split Fiction’ Among Best Game Contenders in 2026 BAFTA Games Awards Longlist|first=Andrew|last=McGowen|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=December 9, 2025|accessdate=December 10, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/gallery/bafta-games-awards-nominees-announced-clair-obscur-gets-12-nominations/2900-7570/|title=BAFTA Games Awards Nominees Announced, Clair Obscur Gets 12 Nominations|first=Claire|last=Lewis|work=[[GameSpot]]|date=March 12, 2026|accessdate=March 15, 2026}}</ref> |- | [[British Academy Games Award for New Intellectual Property|New Intellectual Property]] | {{longlisted}} |}
{{clear}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{official website|https://ballxpit.com/}}
[[Category:2025 video games]] [[Category:Android (operating system) games]] [[Category:Devolver Digital games]] [[Category:IOS games]] [[Category:MacOS games]] [[Category:New York Game Award winners]] [[Category:Nintendo Switch 2 games]] [[Category:Nintendo Switch games]] [[Category:PlayStation 5 games]] [[Category:Single-player video games]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games]]