Mattel and Limited Run Games revealed a new He-Man title today. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe: Dragon Pearl of Destruction is being developed by Mike and the team, and it aims to blend the characters and settings of the 1980s cartoon with hand crafted combat, large sprites and arcade style action.
The pitch is straightforward. You take control of Eternia’s heroes; He-Man, Teela, Man-At-Arms and others, and face off against Skeletor, Evil-Lyn and the cultists bent on completing an ancient ritual. The ritual revolves around the Dragon Pearl, a plot device that threatens to plunge Eternia into darkness unless you stop it.
Key features announced so far:
- Hand crafted combat that leans on classic arcade timing and crowd control.
- Large, detailed sprites and stages that channel classic cabinet looks.
- Playable roster including He-Man, Teela, Man-At-Arms and more.
- Over 12 levels of action with character specific moves, abilities and power ups.
- Battle Cat fights alongside you as a mounted ally in key sections.
- Boss encounters that draw on the series mythology.
Development and publishing
Limited Run Games is handling publishing, with Mattel licensing the IP. The announcement emphasises physical editions as part of the plan, which fits Limited Run’s catalogue model. Details on platforms and launch windows were not disclosed in the initial reveal. Limited Run typically supports console and PC releases, and physical run tiers are likely to follow once the release date is set.
What to expect
From the description, the game aims for a retro arcade feel rather than a modern action RPG. Expect short, self contained stages, set pieces that borrow from the cartoon’s iconography, and a focus on memorised patterns and tight controls. The inclusion of Battle Cat as a combatant hints at mixed stage design that alternates between on foot and mounted sequences.
Limited Run has a track record of collector friendly editions, and Mattel’s involvement suggests the team has access to original character references. That bodes well for sprite fidelity and faithful stage design, though the final quality will hinge on animation fluidity and enemy density.
More details are promised in future updates. We will watch for platform confirmations, release windows, a demo or hands on previews, and any information about physical edition tiers.
