By All the Hype in Q1 2026
Shmup enthusiasts, your focus please! Success Corp and Red Art Studios have revealed that Psyvariar 3, the forthcoming installment in Success’ esteemed arcade franchise, is headed to Switch 1 and Switch 2 when it launches in early 2026.
Psyvariar was first unveiled to gamers back in 2000, with its cleverly-titled sequel, Psyvariar 2, making its debut in 2003. Naturally, this isn’t the initial occurrence of Psyvariar action gracing the Switch, as 2019’s Psyvariar Delta received a solid 8/10 from us at its release about six years ago.
The pivotal element of this particular space shooter, and you certainly require a standout feature in this genre, is the ‘buzz’ mechanism, which rewards players, in an RPG-upgrade fashion, for maneuvering close to enemy fire while skillfully dodging the typical bullet hell assaults of oncoming ordnance. Thrilling!
This latest installment will advance the storyline from the events of Psyvariar 2; here are some additional insights from the official press announcement:
Attributes
Seven Playable Characters featuring distinctive shot types, buzz & bomb mechanics, and scoring systems.
Guest character: Cotton from the Cotton series is entirely playable, complete with her own ship and special abilities
Enhanced Buzz System that awards skilled bullet grazing with score increments and shield combinations
Unique Roll Mechanic upgraded for contemporary controllers while still maintaining the original Arcade “wiggle” input for added advantage and seamless movement
Neutrino & Shield System granting access to shields, speed enhancements, and improved weapons through buzzing and shooting
Strategic Bomb Variants that encompass short and long types with diverse effects depending on the character utilized
Diverse Game Modes: Arcade, Arrange, Mission (49 brief challenges), Caravan, Endless, and Practice
Dynamic Difficulty Selection unlocking more challenging paths and exclusive boss encounters based on player performance
Seven Unique Areas and Bosses with differing attack patterns contingent on the difficulty level
Arcade-Perfect Intensity that maintains the thrilling, high stakes/high reward action the franchise is renowned for
Neo retro 3D visuals inspired by early Psyvariar
Psyvariar 3 is set for release in early 2026, and various physical editions will accompany the digital version for fans eager to acquire them. Naturally, we will provide additional information on all of that as it becomes available.
Excited for Psyvariar 3? Share your thoughts with us!
PJ is a staff writer for Hookshot Media. He has been immersed in video games virtually non-stop since the early 1980s, which feels like a lifetime ago. Favorite genres include RPGs, puzzle games, and delightful expansive single-player adventures of all types. The stranger, the better.