Every once in a while, a game comes along that just oozes style. Mexican Ninja is one of those games — the kind that instantly grabs your attention with its insane visuals, slick combat, and world so wild it sounds like a fever dream. Imagine a futuristic city where Mexican cartels and Japanese Yakuza have merged into one massive crime syndicate. Yeah, that’s the world of Mexican Ninja, and it’s as chaotic, colorful, and stylish as it sounds.
Developed by Madbricks, this upcoming indie beat ’em up/roguelike hybrid is currently in development for PC, with a demo now live on Steam. The full release is planned for Spring 2026, but trust me — even this early look proves it’s something special.
Welcome to Nuevo Tokyo – Home of the Narkuzas
The story takes place in Nuevo Tokyo, a city that’s basically what happens when Japanese cyberpunk meets Mexican grit. The cartels and the Yakuza have joined forces, forming the Narkuzas, a powerful crime family that controls everything from the streets to the skies.
Players take on the role of a rebellious ninja standing up against this criminal empire. Your mission? Take down the five leaders of the Narkuza and restore some sense of freedom to a world drowned in neon and corruption.
The game’s mix of cultural styles gives it a unique flavor — mariachi guitars meet katanas, Japanese alleys glow under papel picado, and the dialogue switches effortlessly between English, Spanish, and Japanese slang. It’s a world unlike anything we’ve seen in modern action games.
Combat That Feels Like a Throwback… With a Twist
At its core, Mexican Ninja plays like a 2.5D side-scrolling brawler, but it’s got plenty of modern polish. Combat is fast, flashy, and all about precision. You can’t just button-mash your way through — timing, spacing, and quick reactions actually matter.
The fighting system feels like a mix of Streets of Rage, Dead Cells, and Katana ZERO, with a layer of roguelike structure baked in. You’ll die, level up, unlock new abilities, and come back stronger — that’s the cycle.
There’s a mix of temporary and permanent upgrades, so each run gives you something new to experiment with. Plus, there’s a full customization system where you can tweak your ninja’s skills through a hilarious but deep “Way of the Donkey” skill tree.
Want to unlock different “Mexican Jutsus” or channel the power of your “Spirit Animal”? Yeah, this game goes there — and it works.
You can even find hidden apparel throughout missions to customize your look. So whether you want to look like a cyber lucha warrior or a stealthy samurai, the game’s got you covered.
Visuals and Vibes: Stylish, Bold, and Unapologetically Weird
The first thing that hit me when I watched the gameplay trailer was how good this game looks. It’s got that comic-book-meets-cyberpunk style — bold outlines, sharp lighting, and an exaggerated color palette that makes every punch, slash, and explosion pop off the screen.
It’s like someone took Guacamelee! and No More Heroes, mixed them in a blender, and poured them into a 1980s arcade cabinet. The result is Mexican Ninja — loud, proud, and dripping with personality.
The tone is just as wild. The writing is over-the-top, full of one-liners and absurd humor, but it also manages to touch on darker themes of crime, loyalty, and rebellion. It never takes itself too seriously — and that’s what makes it so fun.
The Demo – A Promising Taste of What’s to Come
Right now, you can play the Mexican Ninja demo on Steam, which gives you a small slice of the story and a good feel for the gameplay loop. It’s slick, responsive, and already feels more polished than most early-access titles.
From what’s available so far, the controls are tight, the upgrade systems feel rewarding, and the world begs to be explored. If the full game keeps up this level of energy, Mexican Ninja could easily become one of the breakout indie hits of 2026.
Why It’s Worth Watching
What makes Mexican Ninja stand out isn’t just its gameplay — it’s the mix of cultures, humor, and heart. The game celebrates two distinct worlds — Mexican folklore and Japanese tradition — while turning them into a wild, rebellious fantasy full of ninjas, cartels, and cyberpunk chaos.
It’s stylish, fast-paced, and has just enough weirdness to make it unforgettable. And with a robust customization system, replayable roguelike design, and a world that refuses to play by the rules, Mexican Ninja might just slice its way into your must-play list for 2026.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a fan of stylish indie games like Hades, Guacamelee!, or Katana ZERO, keep your eyes on Mexican Ninja. It’s fun, fast, and full of flair — the kind of game that looks like a comic book brought to life.
Between the slick visuals, cartel-meets-Yakuza story, and deep customization, there’s a lot to love already.
The Narkuzas might rule Nuevo Tokyo for now, but something tells me this Mexican Ninja won’t stay quiet for long.
Fantastic Nerdom 