Pizza Tower

{{Short description|2023 video game}} {{good article}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2025}} {{infobox video game | image = Pizza Tower Promo Art.jpg | developer = Tour De Pizza | publisher = {{ubl|Tour De Pizza|Fangamer{{efn|Fangamer published the physical version of the Nintendo Switch port.}}}} | designer = McPig | programmer = Sertif, McPig | composer = {{ubl|Ronan de Castel|ClascyJitto|Post Elvis}} | engine = GameMaker | released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|January 26, 2023}} |'''Windows''' |January 26, 2023 |'''Nintendo Switch''' |August 27, 2024 }} | platforms = {{ubl|Windows|Nintendo Switch}} | genre = Platform | modes = Single-player, multiplayer | caption = Cover art design by McPig }} '''''Pizza Tower''''' is a 2023 platform game created by the indie developer Tour De Pizza. It follows the pizza chef Peppino Spaghetti, who must scale a tower to prevent the destruction of his pizzeria. Across 20 side-scrolling levels, the player increases their score by gathering collectibles and defeating enemies to build combos. At the end of each level, they activate an escape sequence and must return to the beginning within a time limit. ''Pizza Tower'' does not use health or lives, and its difficulty depends on what the player chooses to achieve.

The five-year development was led by the pseudonymous designer McPig and programmer Sertif. ''Pizza Tower'' began as a role-playing video game with survival horror elements before evolving into a platformer inspired by Nintendo's dormant ''Wario Land'' series, to which McPig wanted to provide a spiritual successor. It was developed with GameMaker and features a cartoonish, high-resolution pixel art style inspired by ''SpongeBob SquarePants'' and French comics. ''Wario Land 4'' (2001) served as the basis for the gameplay and level design.

''Pizza Tower'' developed a large fandom during its development through early access builds offered to Patreon backers and game demos. It was released for Windows on January 26, 2023. ''Pizza Tower'' received positive reviews and nominations for year-end accolades. Critics praised its gameplay, music, visuals, and humor. Critics favorably compared its art style to 1990s Nicktoons and the sense of speed to the ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' series. They considered it a worthy substitute for ''Wario Land'', some calling it better than its inspiration. Tour De Pizza supported the game with updates adding new content into 2024, alongside a port for the Nintendo Switch.

==Gameplay== [[File:Pizza Tower Screenshot.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Peppino dashing during the "Pizza Time" escape phase in the first level. Gustavo can be seen pointing to the exit, while Pizzaface is on the Pizza Time timer; following Peppino are three Toppins. In this screenshot, the player is picking up collectibles (the red clocks) to increase their score and maintain their combo.|Peppino, the player character, dashes towards the level's entrance during the "Pizza Time" phase.]]

''Pizza Tower'' is a side-scrolling platform game. Its story begins when Peppino Spaghetti, an Italian pizza chef and the owner of a struggling pizzeria, is approached by Pizzaface, a sentient floating pizza.<ref name="PCGamerReview" /> Pizzaface threatens to destroy Peppino's pizzeria with a nuclear laser atop a nearby tower. Frightened and angered, Peppino sets out to ascend the tower and defeat Pizzaface to save his pizzeria.<ref name="DenOfGeek" /> The tower serves as the setting and hub world of the single-player game. It has five floors,<ref name="IGNReview" /> each containing four levels and a boss. Each level has a distinct theme and unique game mechanics,<ref name="PCGamerReview" /> such as a cemetery with surfable corpses and a ''Five Nights at Freddy's'' homage with jump scares.<ref name="IGNReview" /><ref name="MultiItReview" />

Peppino, the primary player character, can walk, run, jump, roll, and slide. His attacks include a body slam, grabbing and throwing enemies, and a parry.<ref name="IGNReview" /><ref name="PolyReview" /> If Peppino runs for long enough, he begins to dash, allowing him to run up walls and plow through enemies and objects.<ref name="PolyReview" /> Defeating an enemy initiates a combo that lasts seven seconds; to maintain it, the player must defeat more enemies and collect items.<ref name="MSReview" /> Certain levels feature power-ups that alter Peppino's abilities, such as guns or knight armor,<ref name="IGNReview" /><ref name="PolyReview" /> and Gustavo, an alternate player character who rides on the back of his giant pet rat named Brick.<ref name="RPSReview" /> Palette-swap outfits for Peppino can be acquired through completing challenges and obtaining achievements.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Adele |date=March 6, 2023 |title=''Pizza Tower'' Outfits – How to Unlock Them All |url=https://www.gamezebo.com/walkthroughs/pizza-tower-outfits/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327202938/https://www.gamezebo.com/walkthroughs/pizza-tower-outfits/ |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |access-date=March 27, 2023 |website=Gamezebo}}</ref>

Each level contains various secrets: pizza topping creatures (which are called Toppins) that the player rescues to unlock boss fights;<ref name="PCGamerReview" /> a treasure locked behind a door that can only be opened by a janitor the player must find; and three hidden rooms that provide points.<ref name="IGNReview" /> At the end of most levels, the player finds a pillar they must destroy.<ref name="PolyReview" /> This activates "Pizza Time", a phase in which the player must return to the level's entrance within a time limit to avoid being caught by Pizzaface.<ref name="IGNReview" /><ref name="MultiItReview" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dunn |first=Jeff |date=September 4, 2023 |title=''Pizza Tower'' is the ''Wario Land'' + ''Sonic'' crossover I didn't know I wanted |url=https://www.engadget.com/pizza-tower-is-the-wario-land--sonic-crossover-i-didnt-know-i-wanted-130022186.html |access-date=October 21, 2023 |website=Engadget |archive-date=November 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231113195506/https://www.engadget.com/pizza-tower-is-the-wario-land--sonic-crossover-i-didnt-know-i-wanted-130022186.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The player is forced to restart the level if they fail.<ref name="IGNReview" /> A portal allows the player to do an optional second lap in which they return to the end and must make their way back to the entrance again for bonus points.<ref name="IGNReview" /> After completing each level, the player is given a letter grade based on their score and performance. The highest rank, P, can only be acquired if the player obtains enough points, finds the three secrets, collects the treasure, and completes a second lap while maintaining a single, uninterrupted combo.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wasilowski |first=Zak |date=February 1, 2023 |title=''Pizza Tower'' Ranks – All Ranks Explained |url=https://www.gamezebo.com/walkthroughs/pizza-tower-ranks/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326060811/https://www.gamezebo.com/walkthroughs/pizza-tower-ranks/ |archive-date=March 26, 2023 |access-date=March 27, 2023 |website=Gamezebo}}</ref>

''Pizza Tower'' does not feature traditional difficulty levels; rather, the difficulty depends on what the player chooses to achieve.<ref name="PolyReview" /> Secrets are optional and there are no lives or health. Colliding with an obstacle does not hurt Peppino, though it lowers the player's score and subtracts two seconds from the combo timer.<ref name="PCGamerReview" /><ref name="MSReview" /> The only stages where Peppino can be harmed are the boss fights, arena battles against foes such as Pepperman, a large anthropomorphic bell pepper; the Vigilante, a cheese cowboy; and the Noise, a TV star and Peppino's archenemy.<ref name="PCGamerReview" /><ref name="IGNReview" /> The player must dodge the bosses' attacks and deplete their health to proceed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Green |first=Meriel |date=April 5, 2023 |title=''Pizza Tower'' Bosses Guide – All Bosses And How To Fight Them |url=https://www.gamezebo.com/walkthroughs/pizza-tower-bosses/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320231850/https://www.gamezebo.com/walkthroughs/pizza-tower-bosses/ |archive-date=March 20, 2023 |access-date=May 4, 2023 |website=Gamezebo}}</ref> A New Game Plus mode featuring the Noise as a playable character was added in a free update on March 12, 2024.<ref name="PCGamer: Noise">{{cite web |last1=Litchfield |first1=Ted |title=Pizza Tower, 2023's best platformer, is getting a free update where you play as one of the villains with his own music and moveset: 'Think of it as a sort of New Game+' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/pizza-tower-2023s-best-platformer-is-getting-a-free-update-where-you-play-as-one-of-the-villains-with-his-own-music-and-moveset-think-of-it-as-a-sort-of-new-game/ |website=PC Gamer |access-date=February 29, 2024 |date=January 26, 2024 |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229085116/https://www.pcgamer.com/pizza-tower-2023s-best-platformer-is-getting-a-free-update-where-you-play-as-one-of-the-villains-with-his-own-music-and-moveset-think-of-it-as-a-sort-of-new-game/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Chandler |first=Sam |date=March 11, 2024 |title=Pizza Tower Noise Update releases with playable boss mode |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/139079/pizza-tower-noise-update-playable-boss |archive-date=March 12, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312155200/https://www.shacknews.com/article/139079/pizza-tower-noise-update-playable-boss |url-status=live |access-date=March 12, 2024}}</ref> The Noise controls similarly to Peppino,<ref name="PCGamer: Noise" /> but has a slightly different moveset revolving around his skateboard and jet pack.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Denzer |first1=TJ |title=Pizza Tower will make one of its bosses playable in free update |url=https://www.shacknews.com/article/138471/pizza-tower-free-update-the-noise |website=Shacknews |access-date=March 18, 2024 |date=January 26, 2024 |archive-date=March 29, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240329132622/https://www.shacknews.com/article/138471/pizza-tower-free-update-the-noise |url-status=live}}</ref> Playing as the Noise also alters the user interface elements and music.<ref name="PCGamer: Noise" />

After completing the game as the Noise, the player can uncover an Easter egg that unlocks Swap Mode,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=March 18, 2024 |title=How to Unlock Swap Mode in Pizza Tower |url=https://www.gamepressure.com/newsroom/how-to-unlock-swap-mode-in-pizza-tower/z06ade |access-date=February 27, 2025 |website=Gamepressure.com |language=en}}</ref> a multiplayer mode that allows two players to compete for the most points as Peppino and the Noise.<ref name=":0" /> The first player starts with full control while the second player follows.<ref name=":0" /> To switch control between players, the first player must get hit, get grabbed by the second player, or willingly allow the second player to take control.<ref name=":0" />

==Development== ===Conception=== ''Pizza Tower'' was the debut project of the indie developer Tour De Pizza, which developed it for around five years.<ref name="GRadar: Steam">{{Cite web |last=Gerblick |first=Jordan |date=January 27, 2023 |title=2023's third highest-rated Steam game is a ''Wario Land''-inspired pizza platformer |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/2023s-third-highest-rated-steam-game-is-a-wario-land-inspired-pizza-platformer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129211128/https://www.gamesradar.com/2023s-third-highest-rated-steam-game-is-a-wario-land-inspired-pizza-platformer/ |archive-date=January 29, 2023 |access-date=January 30, 2023 |website=GamesRadar+}}</ref> Development was led by the pseudonymous designer and artist McPig,<ref name="PCGamer: DeCastel" /> also known as Pizza Tower Guy,<ref name="GReinvented: Interview" /> and funded through Patreon.<ref name="GameDevInter" /> The concept originated from the Peppino character, who McPig created for comics and drawings in which he imagined pizza monsters appearing in his restaurant at night. McPig conceived a role-playing video game (RPG) with survival horror elements similar to ''Resident Evil'' in which Peppino traversed his restaurant while battling pizza monsters. It featured a cartoonish but dark style that McPig compared to ''Courage the Cowardly Dog''.<ref name="GReinvented: Interview" />

McPig attempted to develop the game using RPG Maker, but the game engine's limitations prevented him from achieving the animation quality he desired.<ref name="GReinvented: Interview">{{Cite web |author=CM30 |date=February 1, 2019 |title=An Interview With: The Developer of ''Wario Land'' Successor ''Pizza Tower'' |url=https://gamingreinvented.com/interview/an-interview-with-the-developer-of-wario-land-successor-pizza-tower/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324154642/https://gamingreinvented.com/interview/an-interview-with-the-developer-of-wario-land-successor-pizza-tower/ |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |access-date=March 24, 2023 |website=Gaming Reinvented}}</ref> McPig switched to GameMaker since it was accessible and he had seen other developers use it for smaller projects. He began developing ''Weenie Cop'', a platform game featuring a sentient hot dog who battled junk food criminals. Though he described this project as "all over the place in the gameplay department because it wasn't very well conceptualized", it got him accustomed to GameMaker.<ref name="GReinvented: Interview" /> He also conceived a game in which Peppino attacked using a pizza cutter chainsaw, inspired by Wario's dash from the ''Wario Land'' series.<ref name="GReinvented: Interview" />

Wanting to work from a point of reference, McPig switched to a ''Wario Land''-inspired platformer. The series had been dormant since ''Wario Land: Shake It!'' (2008) and McPig felt it needed a spiritual successor in the vein of games like ''A Hat in Time'' (2017), ''Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night'' (2019), and ''Wargroove'' (2019) to show its publisher, Nintendo, that fans were still interested.<ref name="GReinvented: Interview" /> He decided to use Peppino as the protagonist—thinking he "was just fun to draw and relatable enough in his character traits"—and retained the basic concept of "a scared crazy pizza man fighting pizza monsters" from the RPG.<ref name="GReinvented: Interview" /> The title, ''Pizza Tower'', came from the Leaning Tower of Pisa, as the "Pisa" reminded McPig of "pizza".<ref name="GReinvented: Interview" /> Development began around 2018, and the pseudonymous Sertif joined as the programmer in early 2020.<ref name="GameDevInter">{{Cite web |last=Couture |first=Joel |date=April 20, 2023 |title=How speedy implementation fed the fast-paced platforming of ''Pizza Tower'' |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/how-speedy-implementation-high-paced-platformer-pizza-tower#close-modal |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424211228/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/design/how-speedy-implementation-high-paced-platformer-pizza-tower#close-modal |archive-date=April 24, 2023 |access-date=April 24, 2023 |website=Game Developer}}</ref>

===Design=== McPig initially designed ''Pizza Tower'' as a maze-like, puzzle-oriented platform game similar to ''Wario Land''.<ref name="GameDevInter" /> To prepare, he played every ''Wario Land'' game and dropped Peppino's chainsaw to make the gameplay more similar. The Game Boy Advance entry ''Wario Land 4'' (2001) was the biggest inspiration, with McPig likening ''Pizza Tower''{{'s}} level design to ''Wario Land 4''{{'s}} with a greater emphasis on dashing. He modeled the level progression on ''Wario Land 4''{{'s}} "frog switch" game mechanic and use of power-up-based puzzles.<ref name="GReinvented: Interview" /> Power-ups were originally designed in the style of ''Wario Land'', opening new areas while slowing the player down. In 2021, the game underwent a change in direction and became more speed-oriented. The levels were streamlined and McPig and Sertif changed how they handled power-ups so they would fit the speed without feeling like a burden.<ref name="GameDevInter" />

[[File:Peppino Spaghetti McPig concept art.jpg|thumb|right|Concept art by McPig for the player character, Peppino Spaghetti]] Peppino's basic moveset was based on Wario's from ''Wario Land 4''. It evolved as McPig and Sertif observed how players played a 2019 demo that experimented "with a more free-form moveset" and decided to emphasize speed and score-attack elements.<ref name="GameDevInter" /> They linked Peppino's different abilities, which Sertif described as "an absolute nightmare when doing level design" since it complicated the game balance.<ref name="GameDevInter" /> McPig and Sertif experimented with limitations, but found them unfun and chose to go with the freer moveset. Early versions included a traditional health system, but McPig and Sertif removed it to make the gameplay more accessible; the ranking system was included to reward skilled players.<ref name="GameDevInter" />

McPig and Sertif introduced the secondary playable character, Gustavo, to streamline a pizza delivery-based level as they reduced the maze-like design.<ref name="GameDevInter" /> They also experimented with playable versions of the Vigilante and Noise, though neither was playable at launch. Whereas Gustavo was a distinct character with dedicated segments, the Vigilante and Noise were playable in Peppino's levels and thus closer to him in feel. ''PC Gamer'' theorized that the number of power-ups changing Peppino's moveset made the addition of multiple characters with unique sprites unfeasible.<ref name="PCGamer: Noise" /> When Gustavo was first designed, he had nothing to do with the character, Brick, Gustavo was given an ally, Brick to make the gameplay more interesting.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |author=McPig |title=Pizza Tower concept art booklet |date=October 10, 2025 |publisher=Fangamer | edition= |location= | language=en}}</ref> During the development of  the  Noise campaign, McPig had the idea for the character, Mr Stick to replace Brick in the Gustavo segments.<ref name=":2" /> However, due to Peppino, Gustavo and Mr Stick being "censored" in Noise's campaign, McPig felt the idea wasn't worthwhile.<ref name=":2" /> In phase three of the final boss, Pizzahead was originally meant to get enraged at Peppino, but as time passed, McPig felt it was out of character for Pizzahead to get angry and didn't want the power dynamic to shift, as he felt that Peppino was the only one supposed to be angry.<ref name=":2" />

Each level began as a basic theme, such as a city or space. McPig and Sertif conceived around 28 levels; they cut and combined themes to make development feasible. They wanted each level to feel distinct and accessible to both skilled and unskilled players. Sertif said that after conceiving a game mechanic, generally, he would begin prototyping while McPig created animations in Aseprite. Sertif described this process as challenging since it meant many ideas ended up scrapped, but felt it was for the best since they both worked quickly: "we implemented a lot of things we wouldn't have otherwise, scrapping the bad ideas, leaving only the decent or good ones."<ref name="GameDevInter" /> Sertif estimated that every level was redesigned two or three times between 2020 and 2023.<ref name="GameDevInter" /> Members of McPig's Discord server provided feedback throughout the development.<ref name="GReinvented: Interview" /><ref name="GameDevInter" />

''SpongeBob SquarePants'' and the French comics McPig had grown up reading inspired ''Pizza Tower''{{'s}} pixel art style.<ref name="GReinvented: Interview" /> McPig chose a cartoon style because it was the only one he felt confident using. Additionally, he felt low-resolution pixel art evocative of the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Super NES era was too common in the indie game scene, and that ''Pizza Tower''{{'s}} style and higher resolution art would make it stand out.<ref name="GReinvented: Interview" /> Sertif described Peppino as "an absolute mess, and we (or rather McPig) wanted to convey that in every animation."<ref name="GameDevInter" /> McPig colored Peppino like Wario's sprite from ''Wario Land 3'' (2000) and his pants black to make animating them easier.<ref name="GReinvented: Interview" /> He based the Noise on the Noid, an advertising mascot used by the pizza chain Domino's, feeling he would be a suitable villain for a pizza-based game. McPig did not put much thought into the character and enemy designs, preferring to "make it up as [he went] along".<ref name="GReinvented: Interview" />

===Music=== {{Listen | filename = Pizza_Tower_It's_Pizza_Time.mp3 | title = "It's Pizza Time!" | description = A 23-second excerpt from "It's Pizza Time!", the escape theme. It was the first track de Castel wrote for ''Pizza Tower'' and the initial demo convinced McPig to recruit him as composer. It is also the very first song made for the game.}}

The soundtrack was composed by Ronan "Mr. Sauceman" de Castel and the pseudonymous ClascyJitto.<ref name="PCGamer: DeCastel">{{Cite web |last=Litchfield |first=Ted |date=March 3, 2023 |title=Despite music being just 'a hobby' this composer co-created one of the year's best soundtracks |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/despite-music-being-just-a-hobby-this-composer-co-created-one-of-the-years-best-soundtracks/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314212334/https://www.pcgamer.com/despite-music-being-just-a-hobby-this-composer-co-created-one-of-the-years-best-soundtracks/ |archive-date=March 14, 2023 |access-date=March 25, 2023 |website=PC Gamer}}</ref> It was de Castel's first published work; composition was mostly a hobby for him and he never released any of his music out of insecurity. He learned about ''Pizza Tower'' around the time he was beginning to take composing seriously and was mesmerized by the gameplay videos he saw on Twitter.<ref name="PCGamer: DeCastel" /> He wrote a demo track and emailed it to McPig. To de Castel's surprise, McPig loved the track and asked him to join the project.<ref name="PCGamer: DeCastel" /> The track, which McPig felt "sounded perfectly insane and dynamic",<ref name="GReinvented: Interview" /> became "It's Pizza Time!", the escape theme.<ref name="PCGamer: DeCastel" /> McPig recruited ClascyJitto, a high school student who published music on SoundCloud and Bandcamp in their spare time, after they shared remixes of de Castel's work in the Discord server.<ref name="PCGamer: ClascyJitto">{{Cite web |last=Litchfield |first=Ted |date=May 20, 2023 |title=2023's best gaming soundtrack was co-created by a high school student and a first-time composer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/2023s-best-gaming-soundtrack-was-co-created-by-a-high-school-student-and-a-first-time-composer/ |access-date=May 20, 2023 |website=PC Gamer |archive-date=June 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603184155/https://www.pcgamer.com/2023s-best-gaming-soundtrack-was-co-created-by-a-high-school-student-and-a-first-time-composer/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

De Castel and ClascyJitto, who worked in France and the United States, respectively, each composed about half the soundtrack,<ref name="PCGamer: ClascyJitto" /> while the pseudonymous Post Elvis composed the title screen theme.<ref name="PCGamer: DeCastel" /> De Castel's video game inspirations included ''Sonic CD'' (1993) and the ''Wario Land'' series, specifically ''Wario Land 4''. He also looked to the electronic, funk, and house music of artists such as Chick Corea, Daft Punk, Mr. Oizo, and Justice.<ref name="PCGamer: DeCastel" /> ClascyJitto, whose prior work relied heavily on sampling and remixes, described working on ''Pizza Tower'' as "sort of like a fun little game for [them]", since it required them to put more time into each composition.<ref name="PCGamer: ClascyJitto" />

==Release== McPig started promoting ''Pizza Tower'' in 2018 by sharing screenshots on Tumblr, before moving to Twitter to raise its profile. He also started the Discord server to get feedback.<ref name="GameDevInter" /> McPig released two game demos in 2018, and opened a Patreon where he offered early access builds for those who pledged $5 monthly.<ref name="GameDevInter" /> After Sertif joined, McPig began streaming development on Twitch and releasing builds yearly rather than monthly.<ref name="GameDevInter" />

''Pizza Tower'' was released for Windows via Steam on January 26, 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Norman |first=Jim |date=January 27, 2023 |title=''Pizza Tower'' Is Giving Us Serious Wario Land Vibes On PC And Now We Knead It On Switch |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/01/pizza-tower-is-giving-us-serious-wario-land-vibes-on-pc-and-now-we-knead-it-on-switch |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129072725/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2023/01/pizza-tower-is-giving-us-serious-wario-land-vibes-on-pc-and-now-we-knead-it-on-switch |archive-date=January 29, 2023 |access-date=March 25, 2023 |website=Nintendo Life}}</ref> Tour De Pizza stated that post-release development was underway in September.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1701120267169181753 |user=PizzaTowergame |title=Working on ''Pizza Tower'' again, but also some other projects! (Not to be released anytime soon) |author=Tour De Pizza |date=September 11, 2023 |access-date=November 1, 2023}}</ref> A Halloween-themed update, released on October 23, added a secret level, collectible pumpkins, and Steam Community features.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tour De Pizza |date=October 23, 2023 |title=Happy Halloween! + A Secret Level + Pumpkin Hunt + Steam Items + v1.0.594 |url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2231450/view/3729602312222631144 |access-date=November 1, 2023 |website=Steam |archive-date=November 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101142441/https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/2231450/view/3729602312222631144 |url-status=live}}</ref> An update adding the Noise as a playable character was released on March 12, 2024.<ref name="PCGamer: Noise" />

''Pizza Tower'' has developed a large fandom, which Sertif attributed to the demos, Patreon builds, and livestreamers such as Vinesauce showcasing it.<ref name="GameDevInter" /> Following the release, Tour De Pizza collaborated with Fangamer to produce merchandise including plushies, T-shirts, and pins,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Swalley |first=Kirstin |date=January 27, 2023 |title=Fangamer Shares Brand New ''Pizza Tower'' Merchandise Following Indie Release |url=https://hardcoregamer.com/news/fangamer-shares-brand-new-pizza-tower-merchandise-following-indie-release/436610/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324154541/https://hardcoregamer.com/news/fangamer-shares-brand-new-pizza-tower-merchandise-following-indie-release/436610/ |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |access-date=March 25, 2023 |website=Hardcore Gamer}}</ref> and the Discord server's membership grew from 5,000 to 20,000 before McPig and Sertif discontinued it.<ref name="GameDevInter" /> The game's Steam player count spiked to over 9,000 playing at once following the release of the Noise update.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Williams |first1=Nelson |title=10/10 indie game hits new heights on Steam after big free update |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/pizza-tower/the-noise-update |website=PCGamesN |access-date=March 18, 2024 |date=March 13, 2024 |archive-date=March 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318112831/https://www.pcgamesn.com/pizza-tower/the-noise-update |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2019, McPig stated that while he was open to porting ''Pizza Tower'' to other platforms, he would not consider it until finishing the Windows version.<ref name="GReinvented: Interview" /> A Nintendo Switch version was announced during a ''Nintendo Indie World + Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase'' presentation on August 27, 2024, and was released via the Nintendo eShop later that day.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Norman |first1=Jim |title=Pizza Tower Finally Dashes Onto Switch Today |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/08/pizza-tower-finally-dashes-onto-switch-today |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=August 28, 2024 |date=August 27, 2024}}</ref> On the same day, Fangamer announced that they would publish a physical edition sometime in 2025, alongside a collector's edition containing a Peppino-themed egg timer.<ref>{{cite web |date=August 27, 2024 |title=Pizza Tower Collector's Edition |url=https://www.fangamer.com/pages/pizza-tower-physical-edition |access-date=August 28, 2024 |publisher=Fangamer}}</ref>

On April 17, 2024, Fangamer announced pre-orders for the standard physical edition of the game containing a poster and two sticker sheets, with a set release date of September 2025.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=April 17, 2025 |title=Fangamer Delays Pre-Orders For Pizza Tower Collector's Edition |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2025/04/fangamer-delays-pre-orders-for-pizza-tower-collectors-edition |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}</ref> They also announced a collector's edition for the game which featured the contents of the standard edition alongside a Peppino egg timer, art cards, a custom pizza stained cloth and an art booklet containing concept art and notes by McPig for ''Pizza Tower.''<ref name=":1" /> However, pre-orders of the collector's edition were delayed indefinitely due to Donald Trump's second tariffs; Fangamer planned pre-orders in May 2025 with hopes that the collector's edition will release alongside the standard edition.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yoerider |date=April 17, 2025 |title=Fangamer Delays Pizza Tower Collector's Edition Pre-Orders Due To Uncertainty Around Tariffs |url=https://nintendosoup.com/fangamer-delays-pizza-tower-collectors-edition-pre-orders-due-to-uncertainty-around-tariffs/ |access-date=April 23, 2025 |website=NintendoSoup |language=en-US}}</ref> Pre-orders for the Collector's edition were made available in July 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 16, 2025 |title=Fangamer delays pre-orders for Pizza Tower Collector's Edition due to uncertainty surrounding Trump tariffs |url=https://nintendowire.com/news/2025/04/16/fangamer-delays-pre-orders-for-pizza-tower-collectors-edition-due-to-uncertainty-surrounding-trump-tariffs/ |access-date=October 13, 2025 |website=Nintendo Wire}}</ref> The standard and collector's edition of the game released on October 10, 2025.<ref group="‡">{{Cite web |url=https://x.com/Fangamer/status/1976694465063780513|title=It's finally Pizza Time! Our Pizza Tower physical editions are out of preorder and available now. Pick the standard edition up in store or online, or buy the collector's edition—with a Peppino timer, a concept art booklet, art cards, and more—right here: https://fanga.me/r/pizza-tower-ce-street-date (@Fangamer) / X |website=X (Twitter) |access-date=October 13, 2025}}</ref>

==Reception== {{Video game reviews | MC = 89/100{{efn|Score based on eight reviews<ref name="MC" />}}<ref name="MC" /> | OC = 100%{{efn|Rating based on eight reviews}}<ref name="OC">{{cite web |title=Pizza Tower reviews |url=https://opencritic.com/game/14233/pizza-tower |publisher=OpenCritic |access-date=August 31, 2024}}</ref> | IGN = 9/10<ref name="IGNReview">{{Cite web |last=Saltzman |first=Mitchell |date=March 16, 2023 |title=''Pizza Tower'' Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/pizza-tower-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325073843/https://www.ign.com/articles/pizza-tower-review |archive-date=March 25, 2023 |access-date=March 25, 2023 |website=IGN}}</ref> | MS = 9/10<ref name="MSReview">{{Cite web |last=de Garayo |first=José Luis Lópes |date=March 28, 2023 |title=''Pizza Tower'', análisis: la nueva revolución indie |trans-title=''Pizza Tower'', analysis: the new indie revolution |url=https://as.com/meristation/analisis/pizza-tower-analisis-la-nueva-revolucion-indie-n/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426154017/https://as.com/meristation/analisis/pizza-tower-analisis-la-nueva-revolucion-indie-n/ |archive-date=April 26, 2023 |access-date=April 26, 2023 |website=MeriStation |language=Spanish}}</ref> | NLife = 9/10<ref name="NLife: Review">{{cite web |last1=Vogel |first1=Mitch |title=''Pizza Tower'' Review (Switch eShop) |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/pizza-tower |website=Nintendo Life |access-date=September 6, 2024 |date=September 4, 2024}}</ref> | PCGUS = 90/100<ref name="PCGamerReview">{{Cite web |last=McCrae |first=Scott |date=January 26, 2023 |title=''Pizza Tower'' review: Madcap platforming at 100mph |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/pizza-tower-review-madcap-platforming-at-100mph/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129072724/https://www.pcgamer.com/pizza-tower-review-madcap-platforming-at-100mph/ |archive-date=January 29, 2023 |access-date=March 25, 2023 |website=PC Gamer}}</ref> | rev1 = ''Multiplayer.it'' | rev1Score = 8/10<ref name="MultiItReview">{{Cite web |last=Gerli |first=Damiano |date=February 5, 2023 |title=''Pizza Tower'', la recensione di un capriccioso ritorno del platform 2D |trans-title=''Pizza Tower'', the review of a capricious return of 2D platforming |url=https://multiplayer.it/recensioni/pizza-tower-recensione.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307011821/https://multiplayer.it/recensioni/pizza-tower-recensione.html |archive-date=March 7, 2023 |access-date=March 25, 2023 |website=Multiplayer.it |language=Italian}}</ref> | Poly = Recommended<ref name="PolyReview" /> }}

''Pizza Tower'' received "generally favorable reviews" according to the review aggregate website Metacritic,<ref name="MC">{{Cite web |title=''Pizza Tower'' for PC Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pizza-tower/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317080444/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/pizza-tower |archive-date=March 17, 2023 |access-date=November 1, 2023 |website=Metacritic}}</ref> and a "Mighty" approval rating on the aggregator OpenCritic.<ref name="OC" /> It became one of the highest rated games of 2023 on Steam within a day of its release;<ref name="GRadar: Steam" /> as of August 2024, it is the highest rated 2D platformer on Steam, ahead of games such as ''Super Meat Boy'' (2010), ''Celeste'' (2018), and ''Katana Zero'' (2019).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bailey |first1=Dustin |title=Pizza Tower hits Switch today, and after 19 months of begging, fans of the Wario Land throwback couldn't be happier: 'My Switch has a purpose now' |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/platformer/pizza-tower-hits-switch-today-and-after-19-months-of-begging-fans-of-the-wario-land-throwback-couldnt-be-happier-my-switch-has-a-purpose-now/ |website=GamesRadar+ |access-date=January 10, 2025 |date=August 27, 2024}}</ref> Critics were surprised by ''Pizza Tower''{{'s}} quality and considered it a worthy substitute for ''Wario Land'',{{efn|Attributed to multiple references: ''PC Gamer'',<ref name="PCGamerReview" /> ''IGN'',<ref name="IGNReview" /> ''Multiplayer.it'',<ref name="MultiItReview" /> ''Den of Geek'',<ref name="DenOfGeek">{{Cite web |last=Byrd |first=Matthew |date=February 2, 2023 |title=''Pizza Tower'' Is the Best New ''Wario Land'' Game We'll Probably Ever Get |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/pizza-tower-wario-land-review/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204074344/https://www.denofgeek.com/games/pizza-tower-wario-land-review/ |archive-date=February 4, 2023 |access-date=March 28, 2023 |website=Den of Geek}}</ref> and ''Polygon''<ref name="PolyReview">{{Cite web |last=Gill |first=Patrick |date=February 9, 2023 |title=''Pizza Tower'' is paradise for Wario freaks |url=https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23590917/pizza-tower-review-wario-land-best-platformers-wahaha |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323230141/https://www.polygon.com/reviews/23590917/pizza-tower-review-wario-land-best-platformers-wahaha |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |access-date=March 25, 2023 |website=Polygon}}</ref>}} some calling it a rare spiritual successor that is better than its inspiration.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references: ''IGN'',<ref name="IGNReview" /> ''Nintendo Life'',<ref name="NLife: Review" /> ''PC Gamer'',<ref name="PCGamerReview" /> and ''Polygon''<ref name="PolyReview" />}} ''Polygon'' said ''Pizza Tower'' "has sharpened, tuned, evolved, and damn near ''perfected'' [''Wario Land''{{'s}}] odd niche of platforming",<ref name="PolyReview" /> and ''PC Gamer'' found it difficult to expect a potential ''Wario Land'' revival to be as invigorating and inventive.<ref name="PCGamerReview" /> ''MeriStation'' said ''Pizza Tower'' was "an instant classic" and a breath of fresh air in the side-scrolling indie scene, which they felt was lacking creativity.<ref name="MSReview" />

Reviewers favorably compared the visuals to 1990s Nicktoons like ''The Ren & Stimpy Show'', Cartoon Network shows, and Microsoft Paint art.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references: ''PC Gamer'',<ref name="PCGamerReview" /> ''IGN'',<ref name="IGNReview" /> ''Multiplayer.it'',<ref name="MultiItReview" /> ''Rock Paper Shotgun'',<ref name="RPSReview" /> and ''Polygon''<ref name="PolyReview" />|name=Visuals/MusicRef}} ''IGN'' said the intentionally cheap-looking art style lent ''Pizza Tower'' a striking, idiosyncratic appearance,<ref name="IGNReview" /> and ''Multiplayer.it'' said the levels were so detailed that players would continue to find new animations for hours.<ref name="MultiItReview" /> The animation quality was also commended,{{efn|Attributed to multiple references: ''PC Gamer'',<ref name="PCGamerReview" /> ''IGN'',<ref name="IGNReview" /> ''Multiplayer.it'',<ref name="MultiItReview" /> and ''Polygon''<ref name="PolyReview" />|name=AnimationQuality/WarioFormula}} as was the humor.{{efn|Attributed to multiple references: ''Den of Geek'',<ref name="DenOfGeek" /> ''IGN'',<ref name="IGNReview" /> ''Multiplayer.it'',<ref name="MultiItReview" /> and ''Rock Paper Shotgun''<ref name="RPSReview" />}} ''IGN'' enjoyed ''Pizza Tower''{{'s}} use of the cartoon trope in which characters are depicted in a different style for comedic effect,<ref name="IGNReview" /> and alongside ''PC Gamer'' and ''Rock Paper Shotgun'', praised the expressiveness of Peppino.<ref name="PCGamerReview" /><ref name="IGNReview" /><ref name="RPSReview">{{Cite web |last=Richardson |first=Liam |date=January 27, 2023 |title=''Pizza Tower'' is a bizarre homage to Wario Land that really makes me laugh |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/pizza-tower-is-a-bizarre-homage-to-wario-land-that-really-makes-me-laugh |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230129072726/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/pizza-tower-is-a-bizarre-homage-to-wario-land-that-really-makes-me-laugh |archive-date=January 29, 2023 |access-date=March 25, 2023 |website=Rock Paper Shotgun}}</ref> ''PC Gamer'' said Peppino's animations made him feel like a fleshed-out character despite never speaking.<ref name="PCGamerReview" />

The soundtrack was acclaimed for its intensity.{{efn|name=Visuals/MusicRef}} ''MeriStation'' said it complimented the visuals,<ref name="MSReview" /> ''Multiplayer.it'' wrote it combined funk with metal while remaining true to the style of 1990s platform games,<ref name="MultiItReview" /> and ''PC Gamer'' likened its "clever" blend of a retro style and samples to ''Jet Set Radio'' (2000).<ref name="PCGamerReview" /> ''IGN'' said the soundtrack did an excellent job conveying the distinct atmosphere of each level.<ref name="IGNReview" /> ''IGN'' and ''PC Gamer'' considered "It's Pizza Time!" a particular highlight.<ref name="PCGamerReview" /><ref name="IGNReview" /> Beyond the soundtrack, ''Multiplayer.it'' praised the sound design, describing the sound effects as instantly iconic.<ref name="MultiItReview" />

Critics commended ''Pizza Tower''{{'s}} gameplay. They enjoyed each level's distinct theme and mechanics as well as the secrets scattered throughout,{{efn|Attributed to multiple references: ''PC Gamer'',<ref name="PCGamerReview" /> ''IGN'',<ref name="IGNReview" /> ''Polygon'',<ref name="PolyReview" /> and ''MeriStation''<ref name="MSReview" />}} and compared the sense of speed to the ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' series.<ref name="PCGamerReview" /><ref name="IGNReview" /><ref name="MultiItReview" /> Reviewers felt it improved and expanded on the ''Wario Land'' formula,{{efn|name=AnimationQuality/WarioFormula}} with ''Den of Geek'' calling it "faster, crazier, [and] sillier".<ref name="DenOfGeek" /> ''Polygon'' and ''IGN'' highlighted the escape sequences,<ref name="IGNReview" /><ref name="PolyReview" /> ''Multiplayer.it'' said the power-ups surpassed ''Wario Land''{{'s}} in terms of surrealness and fun,<ref name="MultiItReview" /> and ''PC Gamer'' said the final boss's spectacle rivaled that of the ''Bayonetta'' series.<ref name="PCGamerReview" /> ''IGN'' said that while ''Pizza Tower'' would only take five to six hours to finish, the secrets and ranking system provided substantial replay value,<ref name="IGNReview" /> and ''MeriStation'' said replaying levels to obtain P ranks was where the gameplay was at its best.<ref name="MSReview" /> ''Polygon'' thought allowing the player to choose what they liked to achieve instead of featuring traditional difficulty levels was an "elegant-ass approach to game difficulty".<ref name="PolyReview" /> ''Nintendo Life''{{'s}} only complaint was that the bosses were somewhat frustrating due to a reliance on randomness.<ref name="NLife: Review" />

''IGN'',<ref name="IGNReview" /> ''MeriStation'',<ref name="MSReview" /> ''PC Gamer'',<ref name="PCGamerReview" /> and ''Polygon'' found controlling Peppino satisfying,<ref name="PolyReview" /> ''PC Gamer'' likening his moveset to a Swiss Army knife for its versatility.<ref name="PCGamerReview" /> ''Polygon'' described Peppino's abilities as limited but intuitive and excellently complementing the level design.<ref name="PolyReview" /> Conversely, ''Multiplayer.it'' and ''Rock Paper Shotgun'' felt it was challenging to become accustomed to controlling Peppino since he requires considerable precision,<ref name="MultiItReview" /><ref name="RPSReview" /> which ''Rock Paper Shotgun'' said was ''Pizza Tower''{{'s}} biggest flaw. While its levels were still designed in ''Wario Land''{{'s}} slow and methodical fashion, ''Rock Paper Shotgun'' wrote, ''Pizza Tower'' expects the player to move fast, leading to the repeated frustration of losing momentum. They said this meant the game would not be for everyone, though some would consider the "rough edges... an essential part of the appeal".<ref name="RPSReview" />

=== Awards === {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" width="auto" |+ Awards and nominations ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Ceremony ! scope="col"| Category ! scope="col"| Result ! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |- | rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | 2023 | Golden Joystick Awards | Best Indie Game | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web |last=Loveridge |first=Sam |date=November 10, 2023 |title=Here are all the Golden Joystick Awards 2023 winners |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2023-winners/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110183004/https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2023-winners/ |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |access-date=November 10, 2023 |website=GamesRadar+}}</ref> |- | The Game Awards 2023 | Best Debut Indie Game | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bankhurst |first=Adam |date=December 8, 2023 |title=The Game Awards 2023 Winners: The Full List |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-game-awards-2023-winners-the-full-list |access-date=December 8, 2023 |website=IGN |language=en-US |archive-date=December 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213104409/https://www.ign.com/articles/the-game-awards-2023-winners-the-full-list |url-status=live}}</ref> |- | Steam Awards | Best Soundtrack | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite news |last=Blake |first=Vikki |date=December 16, 2023 |title=The Steam Awards 2023 shortlist has been revealed - here's what Steam players think are 2023's best games |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/the-steam-awards-2023-shortlist-has-been-revealed-heres-what-steam-players-think-are-2023s-best-games |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231218031813/https://www.eurogamer.net/the-steam-awards-2023-shortlist-has-been-revealed-heres-what-steam-players-think-are-2023s-best-games |archive-date=December 18, 2023 |access-date=December 18, 2023 |work=Eurogamer |language=en}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |2024 | New York Game Awards | Off Broadway Award for Best Indie Game | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/console/alan-wake-ii-and-baldur-s-gate-3-lead-2024-new-york-game-awards-nominees |title=Alan Wake II and Baldur's Gate 3 lead 2024 New York Game Awards nominees |date=January 4, 2024 |website=Game Developer |last=Kerr |first=Chris |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104235316/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/console/alan-wake-ii-and-baldur-s-gate-3-lead-2024-new-york-game-awards-nominees |archive-date=January 4, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> |- | 24th Game Developers Choice Awards | Best Debut |{{nom}} | style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-baldurs-gate-3-top-gdc-award-nominations |title=Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Baldur's Gate 3 top GDC Award nominations |date=January 16, 2024 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116192333/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/zelda-tears-of-the-kingdom-baldurs-gate-3-top-gdc-award-nominations |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref> |}

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{reflist}} {{Primary reflist}}

Category:2023 video games Category:GameMaker games Category:Indie games Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games Category:Nintendo Switch games Category:Platformers Category:Side-scrolling platformers Category:Video games about pizza Category:Video games developed in Canada Category:Video games set in castles Category:Windows games Category:Video game spiritual successors