TL;DR : Scott Pilgrim EX is a love letter to the original game — and then some. Same chaotic brawling energy, but now with an open map, 7 playable characters, RPG upgrades, and a brand new story by the original creator.
It’s short. It doesn’t break the genre. But it’s a blast while it lasts.
If you liked the 2010 game, buy this. No debate.
Our Score: 8.2 / 10
You ever replay an old game and think “man, I wish there was MORE of this”?
That’s exactly what happened with Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game.
It came out in 2010. Got pulled off stores in 2014. Came back in 2021. And everyone who played it — even once — wanted a sequel.
Well. Here it is.
Scott Pilgrim EX dropped on March 3, 2026. Developed by Tribute Games — the same guys who made TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge. New story written by Bryan Lee O’Malley himself.
And yeah. It delivers.
Not perfectly. But enough.
What Even Is Scott Pilgrim EX?
It’s a side-scrolling beat ’em up.
You punch dudes. You kick dudes. You smash dudes with random weapons you find on the street.
Classic arcade stuff — but with a twist.
EX isn’t built like the old game where you move right and punch until the level ends. Instead, it gives you an open map of Toronto.
You roam the city. Talk to NPCs. Find side quests. Unlock new areas.
Think River City Ransom — but make it Scott Pilgrim.
The city is fractured. Time and space are broken. Three rival gangs — Vegans, Robots, and Demons — have taken over Toronto. Scott’s bandmates got kidnapped. And now you gotta go fix all of it.
Sounds insane. It is. But it works.
The Gameplay Feels Tight
Combat in this game is not complicated.
Punch. Kick. Block. Special move. Repeat.
But here’s the thing — it feels GOOD.
Every hit lands with weight. Enemies react properly. You can string combos, grab weapons, use your special attacks, and call in an assist character when things get spicy.
Each of the 7 characters plays differently too. If you’re not sure who fits your playstyle, I’ve broken down all of them in this Scott Pilgrim EX character guide.
Scott is your balanced all-rounder. Ramona hits harder and has more range. Lucas Lee is slow but absolutely built. Roxie is fast and agile. Matthew Patel brings demon powers. Gideon Graves is calculated and sneaky. And Robot-01 is exactly what it sounds like — a robot that punches you.
The game unlocks all characters and moves from the start. No grinding to unlock stuff. Some people will miss that progression loop. But honestly? Being able to just play who you want immediately is refreshing.
The Map Is Where Things Get Interesting
The original game had 7 linear levels. Walk right. Fight. Boss. Done.
EX replaces that with an interconnected city map.
You’ll revisit areas. Find shortcuts. Complete side quests. Discover secrets.
It’s not a full Metroidvania — don’t expect locked paths that open with new abilities. But the layout makes the world feel real.
Like Toronto is actually a place these characters live in. Not just a series of hallways to walk through.
The downside? Backtracking can feel boring sometimes. Running back across the map to complete a quest is not always fun.
But the quest markers help. And the city itself is dense with stuff to find.
The Story? It’s Silly. In a Good Way.
Look. Nobody plays Scott Pilgrim for a deep emotional journey.
But EX’s story is legitimately fun.
Evil Robot Scotts. Alternate dimension versions of Ramona’s Exes. Time portals all over the city.
It’s chaos. But it’s CHARMING chaos.
Bryan Lee O’Malley wrote it — the original creator of the comics. The dialogue sounds like the characters. The references are everywhere.
Hot Fuzz got referenced. Old 8-bit and 16-bit games got referenced. Characters literally acknowledge they’re in a video game.
If you’re a millennial gamer, prepare to feel very seen.
The story connects to Scott Pilgrim Takes Off — the Netflix anime. If you haven’t seen it, don’t worry. EX still makes sense.
The Music Slaps. Hard.
Anamanaguchi is back.
The chiptune-rock duo composed the soundtrack for the 2010 game. That soundtrack became legendary.
EX doesn’t reach the same emotional highs as tracks like “Another Winter.” But it comes close.
The new songs are more upbeat. More fun. Less angsty.
Which is actually a fair complaint for some older fans — the original game had edge. EX feels lighter. Happier.
That’s not necessarily bad. It’s just different.
But the music will still get stuck in your head. Guaranteed.
Co-Op Is Where This Game Shines
Scott Pilgrim EX was built for co-op.
Up to 4 players. Local or online.
The game never lets you forget this — there’s always a “press to join” prompt on screen. Like a classic arcade cabinet begging for quarters.
Bosses are designed with co-op in mind. Their attacks are harder to deal with solo. Reviving your teammate mid-fight changes everything.
Solo is still playable. But it’s harder and a bit less fun.
If you have friends who play? This is a must-buy couch co-op game. If you’re going solo? Still good. Just slightly more punishing.
The Problems (Yes, There Are Some)
It’s short.
A solo playthrough takes around 5-6 hours. That’s it.
For the price tag, some people will feel burned. Especially compared to longer games in the genre.
The difficulty can feel uneven.
Regular enemies? Manageable. Bosses? Can spike out of nowhere, especially solo.
The open map adds backtracking.
Which is sometimes annoying when you just want to brawl and get to the next thing.
No real emotional depth.
The original game had teenage angst baked into its DNA. EX feels more like a happy reunion than a story with stakes.
For some people, that’s fine. For others, it’ll feel hollow.
The Good and The Bad
The Good
- Crisp, gorgeous pixel art — one of the best looking games of 2026
- Anamanaguchi soundtrack is a certified banger
- 7 distinct characters, all fun to play
- Open map adds exploration and replayability
- New story written by the original creator
- 4-player co-op (local + online) works beautifully
- Everything unlocked from the start — no artificial grind
- Packed with references, easter eggs, and fan service
- Assist characters add a fun tactical layer
The Bad
- Very short — 5 to 6 hours, maybe 8 if you do everything
- Price vs playtime is a fair argument
- Backtracking gets tedious
- Solo players have a harder, less balanced experience
- Lacks the emotional depth of the 2010 original
- Difficulty spikes can feel cheap
- Story is fun but forgettable
Scott Pilgrim EX vs. the Original — Which Is Better?
This is the real question, isn’t it.
The 2010 game had a simpler structure and more emotional resonance. EX has more content, better mechanics, and more characters.
They’re different.
The original is a tighter, moodier experience. EX is looser, bigger, and more optimistic.
If you want a quick, punchy brawler with nostalgic energy? Play the 2010 game. If you want more of that universe with modern depth? Play EX.
Honestly? Play both.
Is Scott Pilgrim EX Worth Buying?
Yes. With conditions.
If you loved the original, buy it immediately.
If you like beat ’em ups and want something fun to play with friends — yes.
If you’re a Scott Pilgrim fan in any form — the comics, the movie, the anime — absolutely yes.
If you’re going in solo and want 20+ hours of content? Maybe wait for a sale.
The game is short. But what’s there is genuinely great.
85% positive on Steam. And an 8 out of 10 from IGN.
And our take? An 8.2 out of 10.
It earns every decimal.
Final Verdict
Scott Pilgrim EX is not trying to reinvent the beat ’em up.
It’s trying to give fans more of what they already loved.
And it does exactly that.
More characters. More world. More chaos. More Anamanaguchi.
Is it perfect? No.
Is it short? Yes.
Is it worth your time? Absolutely.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Scott Pilgrim EX a sequel to the 2010 game?
Yes and no. It’s a spiritual sequel in terms of gameplay. Story-wise, it takes place after the Scott Pilgrim Takes Off anime on Netflix.
How long is Scott Pilgrim EX?
A typical solo playthrough is 5-6 hours. Completionists doing all side quests may get 8-10 hours.
How many players can play Scott Pilgrim EX?
Up to 4 players — both local co-op and online co-op are supported.
Who developed Scott Pilgrim EX?
Tribute Games, who also made Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge.
Is Scott Pilgrim EX worth buying?
Yes — especially if you’re a fan of the franchise or love co-op beat ’em ups. Solo players should consider waiting for a sale.
Is the Scott Pilgrim EX soundtrack good?
Anamanaguchi returned to compose the soundtrack. It’s excellent — more upbeat than the original but still a standout.
What platforms is Scott Pilgrim EX on?
PC (Steam), PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
Does Scott Pilgrim EX have online multiplayer?
Yes. Up to 4 players online, plus local co-op.
