"Unreal Engine 5 powers Super Meat Boy 3D, a game that innovates on the traditional format by incorporating a Mario-style twist to its gameplay"
After its announcement in this year's Xbox Summer Showcase, the highly-anticipated Super Meat Boy 3D is set to bring a new dimension to the classic 2D platformer. Developed by Sluggerfly, an indie team with over a decade of experience in 3D platformers using Unreal Engine, the game is poised to deliver a fresh take on the beloved series.
Embracing 3D Movement and Dynamic Traversal
The transition from side-scrolling to 3D platforming significantly changes the gameplay and level design of Super Meat Boy 3D. Players can now move in every direction, allowing for more complex and dynamic traversal. Key gameplay mechanics include:
- Dynamic horizontal wall running: This new mechanic lets players run along walls horizontally as well as vertically, enabling stylish, high-speed movement through 3D environments.
- Seamless chaining of vertical and horizontal wall moves: Players can combine these moves fluidly, creating fast-paced movement sequences that are both challenging and visually engaging.
- In-air dash: Added to the move set for greater control, speed, and fluidity. This dash helps with sharper controls, facilitates easier wall grabs, and improves flow, making the gameplay feel faster and more precise while maintaining the punishing difficulty the series is known for.
Navigating Complex 3D Spaces
The 3D environment allows levels to be designed around multidirectional movement rather than linear side-scrolling stages. This shifts the focus from timing and precision jumps on a flat plane to navigating complex 3D spaces combining verticality, horizontal movement, and multi-axis challenges.
Retaining the Challenging Spirit of the Original
Despite these changes, the core difficulty and platforming challenge remain, promising a tough experience that’s familiar yet fresh. Players can expect the same intense timing challenges and require high skill and dedication to master collectibles and achievements as in the original.
Visual Upgrades and Release Details
Super Meat Boy 3D features clear and simple visuals to be easily readable by players, with more detail compared to the original game. The final version of the game will be developed with Unreal Engine 5, but does not utilize its Nanite tool. Super Meat Boy 3D will be released for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC in 2026.
In addition to the new mechanics, Super Meat Boy 3D introduces new abilities such as wall-running and ground-slam. The replay feature in Super Meat Boy 3D shows all attempts at a level simultaneously, featuring 20-30 Meat Boys running around.
The level design in Super Meat Boy 3D is built in defined angles (45-degree angles or 90-degree angles). Saw blades in Super Meat Boy 3D have been adapted to form meat grinders, which are long cylinders that can stretch over parts of the level.
The developers took inspiration from Super Meat Boy Forever for the dash move, which is useful in 3D space. Multiple Meat Boys running around in the announcement trailer is not a power-up but a new replay feature in Super Meat Boy 3D. The game is being developed with Unreal Engine 5, but does not utilize its Nanite tool.
- The creative designers at Sluggerfly have incorporated a 3D logo into the poster for Super Meat Boy 3D, highlighting the game's shift to a new dimension.
- Creative art in Super Meat Boy 3D showcases an array of vibrant colors that enhance the visual appeal, adding inspiration to gameplay.
- The user interface (UI) in Super Meat Boy 3D has been designed meticulously to provide an intuitive experience, making the transition to 3D movement seamless.
- The design layout of levels in Super Meat Boy 3D has been carefully planned to optimize gameplay, with gadgets and technology built into the environments.
- The UI and UX designers have embraced the challenge of incorporating 3D movement into the game design, making sure the camera angles provide the best view for players.
- Graphic design elements in Super Meat Boy 3D, such as the saw blades adapted into meat grinders, add complexity and visual depth to the 3D levels.
- As an homage to Super Meat Boy Forever, the dash move has been modified for 3D space in Super Meat Boy 3D, demonstrating the influence of inspiration on the game's creative evolution.
