Speedball is Rebellion's modern reboot of the iconic 1988 Bitmap Brothers classic, a brutal futuristic sports game set in the dystopian year 2138.
In this no-holds-barred cyber-sport, two teams of cybernetically augmented athletes clash in 3v3 matches, scoring points through goals or knockouts (KOs).
The game blends fast-paced arcade action—quick passes, powerful shots, hard tackles—with strategic depth like team traits, player rotations, and management elements.
Arenas are packed with dynamic traps and obstacles (flamethrowers, ice shotguns, etc.) for chaotic mayhem, plus "Brutal" variants and slow-motion Slam Cams that highlight violent highlights with crowd roars.
Modes include a full League Mode (single-player season campaign with 10 teams and management), quick matches, local split-screen, and online PvP against players or AI.
It's tagged as action, sports, PvP, and violent, with smooth performance on modest hardware (minimum: GTX 1050 Ti recommended).
The game first launched in Steam Early Access on October 29, 2024, and has received substantial updates: expanded League Mode, 8 new arenas, improved shooting/AI/visuals, tutorials, deeper customization, and more.
It fully exits Early Access tomorrow, January 27, 2026, with simultaneous launches on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (Steam)—including console ports.
Latest News & Hype
Rebellion announced the full release and console versions on January 6, 2026. The official @SpeedballGame account is in full countdown mode today (January 26, 2026), posting teasers, artwork ("January 27th is Speedball time ☄️"), gameplay explainers, and fan replies—including playful ice cream memes 🍦🍨 in response to community jokes.
Recent highlights:
- Main post: "📣 Tomorrow 📣 Speedball lands onto Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Windows PC and PC via Steam" with video teaser.
- Replies confirming focus on current-gen consoles (no Switch plans announced), hyping "instabuy" excitement, and launch timing (e.g., Xbox at 2pm UK time tomorrow).
- Wishlist pushes across platforms.
Coverage from outlets like IGN, Games Press, and Bleeding Cool emphasizes the revival of this legendary futuresport franchise.
Reviews & Impressions
Full launch reviews are expected tomorrow (embargoes likely lifting then).
Early Access feedback on Steam is 84% Positive (from a modest but steady review count), with praise for the addictive chaos, arcade fun, added depth from updates, and visceral speed.
Some early polish/AI concerns have been addressed in patches. Positive takes include VICE (2025) calling it highly replayable and reminiscent of classic mobile/arcade sports highs—"I'll never put this down."
Others note it's a solid surprise reboot blending Rocket League-style action with Mortal Kombat-level brutality, though some retro fans feel the 3D perspective softens the original's sharp 2D edge slightly.
X chatter is enthusiastic with "instabuy" vibes, brutal clips, and excitement—no major backlash post-updates. Perfect for fans craving high-speed, violent sports action.
All Links:
- Rebellion Official Site / Speedball Page
- Official Gameplay Overview Trailer (YouTube):
- Rebellion Launch Announcement:
- Xbox Store: (search "Speedball" on your regional store if needed)
- PlayStation Store (PS5): Search "Speedball" on your regional PS Store (concept page referenced in announcements)
Follow @SpeedballGame and @Rebellion for launch-day patches, streams, and more—game drops tomorrow! 🚀
