Peglin is a roguelike video game created by Red Nexus Games and published by IndieArk and BlitWorks Games. It was released for PC on April 25, 2022, for iOS and Android on April 11, 2023, and for Nintendo Switch on August 27, 2024, after the full version was available.

The game includes Pachinko-like gameplay that players use to move through the game and defeat the final boss. Players must carefully manage their attacks and health, as the game uses a turn-based RPG system where the protagonist faces monsters.

Gameplay

Players start as a small, green goblin character created with pixel-art graphics. The goblin uses orbs to shoot through levels filled with bouncing pegs. There are four goblin classes: Peglin, Balladin, Roundrel, and Spinventor. Peglin is the starting class, and the other three become available as players complete parts of the game. Each class has unique abilities.

Players defeat pegs by shooting orbs. Different orbs have special effects, and players choose which power-ups to use or discard. Some parts of the game depend on luck because orbs bounce in unpredictable directions. When pegs are hit, damage points increase and are given to specific enemies. Pegs are arranged on the bottom part of the screen, while the green goblin and enemies appear on the top part. Some pegs have special symbols, such as a green "R" that resets the board or a yellow "!" that causes more damage. Players collect coins by popping pegs and use these coins to improve orb abilities.

Each game has a randomly generated map. Players move through increasingly difficult levels in a dungeon-style game. After completing a level, an orb is thrown to decide which path to take. Some levels offer loot or battles, while others have unexpected events that influence gameplay. These events are usually not related to fighting and involve story choices.

Relics are special items collected during the game that give permanent power-ups. Combining certain orbs can create synergies that help players. Players face regular enemies and much tougher bosses, with major bosses appearing at the end of each stage. After finishing the game, players unlock the multi-stage Cruciball, which reaches level 20. Each stage adds a challenge, making future games harder.

Players can access the Encirclepedia, which provides extra information about monsters.

Development

Canadian independent game studio Red Nexus Games was started in 2015. The studio created the game Peglin during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dylan Gedig, the game’s designer and studio founder, called Peglin a "pandemic-built game." He hoped it would provide something fun and light-hearted for him and his friends to test, helping them pass time more easily. Peglin was first planned during a 48-hour game-making event called a game jam. Dylan and the game’s artist participated in this event, which had the theme "Fall." They focused on pinball and pachinko gameplay. They wanted something fun and were inspired by the style of games like Angry Birds and Brick Breaker. The early version of the game was called Goblin Drop.

Dylan decided to continue developing the game. A team of four people, including Dylan, another developer, an artist, and a composer, worked to create Peglin’s full early version. As the game was designed, the team chose gameplay styles similar to Peggle and Slay the Spire. The game’s music was inspired by the soundtracks of Crash Bandicoot and Donkey Kong Country. After its release, the team at Red Nexus Games grew, and they plan to update Peglin and add more features.

Peglin was first released as a PC game and was available in early access on Steam for about one year. During its first year, 400,000 copies of the early access version were sold. Later, an unauthorized user released a mobile version of the game as it became more popular, but this version was removed. After this event, Red Nexus Games focused on creating official versions of the game for iOS and Android devices while Peglin was still in early access. The game’s official 1.0 version was released on August 27, 2024. It was shown as a timed Nintendo Switch exclusive game during Nintendo’s 2024 Indie World Showcase on the same day as the 1.0 release.

On March 16, 2026, Peglin received a major update that brought the game to version 2.0. This update included new items, enemies, music, and an entirely new fourth act.

Reception

Peglin received the best design award at the 2022 Taipei Game Show, an event where game creators display their games to visitors. TouchArcade awarded Peglin's Early Access version a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.