Scott Pilgrim EX is the kind of game that knows exactly what it wants to be. Developer Tribute Games has reunited with the Scott Pilgrim franchise after years of honing their craft on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder's Revenge and Marvel Cosmic Invasion, and the result is a polished, familiar, and genuinely enjoyable beat 'em up. It won't blow your mind with innovation, but if you love the genre and the source material, there's plenty here to keep you entertained.
What Is Scott Pilgrim EX?
Scott Pilgrim EX launched on March 3, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC. Published and developed by Tribute Games, the title revisits the beloved Scott Pilgrim universe at a point in the story that sits somewhere after the comic, the movie, the first video game, and possibly the recent anime. The exact timeline is deliberately vague, but that's fine because the story is really just a reason to pack every character from the franchise into one chaotic adventure.
Scott Pilgrim creator Bryan Lee O'Malley clearly had a hand in shaping the tone here. Character dialogue feels authentic, the art style for new characters matches the established look, and Canada and video game references are tucked into nearly every corner of the world.
Toronto open-world map layout
Who Are the Playable Characters?
The roster in Scott Pilgrim EX is massive, pulling together nearly every character who has ever appeared in Scott Pilgrim media alongside a surprising number of brand-new additions. Each character plays differently enough to experiment with, though the game doesn't push you hard to switch once you find a favorite.
Scott Pilgrim EX Playable Characters and Game Overview
Reviewer testing highlighted Roxie as a particularly strong pick for players who prefer speed and aerial combat. Her fast movement and strong double-jump attack make her effective in the chaotic brawls the game regularly throws at you. Robot-01 is another character worth trying, offering a distinct playstyle that stands out from the rest of the cast.
The game doesn't heavily incentivize character switching once you've locked in on a favorite, so spend time early experimenting with different fighters to find the one that clicks with your playstyle.
How Does Combat Feel?
Combat in Scott Pilgrim EX is deliberately chaotic and genre-faithful. It delivers the satisfying rhythm of a classic beat 'em up, with enemies flooding the screen and environmental objects flying in every direction. Stat bonuses from eating sushi and other Toronto staples add a light RPG layer that fans of the original game will recognize immediately.
That said, the combat isn't without its rough edges. Two recurring issues in the genre show up here as well. First, the action can occasionally tip from chaotic fun into genuine confusion, with your character launching across the screen while boxes and projectiles bounce everywhere, dealing damage to you and enemies alike. Second, the long-standing beat 'em up problem of misaligning with enemies during a combo, whiffing every hit just above or below your target, persists in EX.
Boss balance is mostly solid, with only a handful of encounters likely to frustrate you. One notable annoyance: the game doesn't let you skip introductory cutscenes when retrying a boss fight, which adds unnecessary time to already challenging encounters.
During particularly dense fights, try to reposition frequently rather than committing to long combo strings. The chaotic physics can punish you for staying in one spot too long.
Amazing Soundtrack
Anamanaguchi has returned to compose the music for Scott Pilgrim EX, and the result is one of the game's most consistent highlights. The original Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game soundtrack from Anamanaguchi became a fan favorite that players still listen to years later, and while it's too early to say whether the EX soundtrack will reach that same legendary status, there are tracks throughout the game that you'll actively look forward to hearing again as you explore Toronto.
The music ties directly into the game's core loop as well. Collecting instruments and songs isn't just a story objective; it's woven into how you unlock new areas and progress through the world, making the soundtrack feel like a functional part of the gameplay rather than just background noise.
Is Scott Pilgrim EX Worth Playing?
Tribute Games has spent years mastering the nostalgic beat 'em up formula, and EX is another well-executed entry in that tradition. It won't surprise you with bold new ideas, but it delivers a charming, well-paced brawler set in a world that fans of Scott Pilgrim will enjoy spending time in.
The open-world Toronto structure is the game's most interesting design choice, and the Anamanaguchi soundtrack is reason enough to play with the volume up. If you're looking for genre-defining innovation, you might leave a little underwhelmed. But if you want a polished, faithful beat 'em up with a great cast and excellent music, Scott Pilgrim EXdelivers exactly that.