Work continues on the upcoming GBC title Gumball in Trick-or-Treat Land, due for release on Steam and GBC carts in 2026. We’ve been following the development and have a new devlog from its creator.  Watch as Gumball in Trick-or-Treat Land’s creator, Adam Lewis Graf, explores the evolution of the game’s trick-or-treat contest-based combat mechanics, explains how partners can change the flow of a fight, and shares his design philosophy, which emphasizes the value of streamlined and engaging encounters that don’t bury the player in mountains of immersion-shattering menus.

“I’ve always had strong preferences about what I like in an RPG battle system, and this was the first opportunity I had to put those convictions to the test,” said Graf. “I think a successful turn-based RPG battle system is a balancing act from a design perspective. I really try to emphasize simplicity and clarity wherever possible, so Gumball’s battle system was designed to balance that minimalistic vision with meaningful opportunities to choose your own playstyle.” 

Graf continued, “As with all aspects of this design, I tried to keep it in line with the sensibilities of those late 90s and early Y2K Game Boy RPGs to make it feel period-accurate, because this game is, above all, a love letter to the handheld games of that era.”

Key Features:

A family-friendly journey through a quirky Halloween-themed world filled with memorable characters. 

Strategic turn-based battles that require you to manage your HP and magickal abilities.

Timeless 8-bit-inspired visuals immerse you in sugary-sweet nostalgia.

Brew up potions, solve puzzles, and master a variety of skills to find your way home.