We recently enjoyed playing Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus, a captivating metroidvania game that launched on the Switch last year. And now, it looks like the adventure is about to expand even further.
During the Humble Games Showcase 2025, which took place yesterday, developer Squid Shock Studios unveiled a brand new trailer for the metroidvania. The trailer showcased the upcoming ‘Tanuki Kabuki’ DLC, set to be released on Steam sometime in 2025. The release date for the Switch version will be announced at a later date, and the DLC will be available as a free update for all existing game owners.
What’s Included in the DLC?
The standout feature of this DLC is the grand Kabuki theatre, a new location where players can challenge all the bosses from the base game in front of a cheering audience. It almost feels reminiscent of Paper Mario! You can take on boss reenactments individually on stage or participate in a ‘Gauntlet’ rush mode to face them in a curated sequence. The more impressive your performance, the louder the crowd cheers, and the greater your rewards, so it’s important to cater to the audience.
Additionally, the update introduces a new ‘Tanuki Tracker’ quest, requiring players to hunt down hidden tanukis and pursue them through a series of platforming challenges. Discovering these hidden characters unlocks a combat practice room, a Tankui Kabuki band for listening to the game’s soundtrack, and a customizable room for players to decorate to their liking.
Furthermore, there’s a new gachapon machine and bestiary menu to explore. As an added treat, the developers have also released a chiptune version of the soundtrack, which, after giving it a listen on YouTube, we can confirm is quite catchy!
While an exact release date for the Tanuki Kabuki DLC on the Switch has not been announced yet, we’ll be eagerly awaiting more details in the months to come.
In our review, we praised Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus as “a game where charm meets challenge and a passion for Japanese culture is expressed with artistic flair,” awarding it a solid 8/10 rating. Needless to say, we’re looking forward to jumping back into this enchanting world.