Bandai Namco Announces Digimon Up Mobile Game for 2026
Bandai Namco has announced a new mobile experience for fans of digital monsters with Digimon Up, scheduled to arrive on iOS and Android in 2026. This title promises to immerse players in the foundational monster-raising rituals the series is known for, letting them guide a Digimon from its infant stages all the way to mighty Mega level forms.
Returning to Monster-Raising Roots
Echoing the mechanics of the classic virtual pets and early console titles, Digimon Up emphasizes nurturing the bond between trainer and creature. The game was highlighted during the Digimon Con 2026 broadcast and is pitched as a digital journey that integrates with a player's daily routine. Success requires consistent care, including feeding and training your chosen partner to strengthen them for battle.
Nurturing Your Digital Partner
Players begin by selecting an initial companion from a roster of familiar faces, which includes popular options like:
- Agumon
- Gatomon
- Veemon
Through dedicated care and victorious combat, these partners gain the experience needed to unlock successive Digivolutions. For instance, an Agumon can progress through its iconic evolutionary line, becoming Greymon, then MetalGreymon, and ultimately the powerful WarGreymon. A reveal trailer showcased detailed 2D sprites of monsters like Greymon and Andromon engaged in 3-on-3 skirmishes, though the exact battle system mechanics are still under wraps.
Additional Features and Model
The game will also incorporate classic franchise elements such as Digivices and Digimon Cards, with specific gameplay integration details to be revealed later. Digimon Up will operate on a free-to-play model with in-app purchases, though the full scope of its monetization approach remains to be seen.
Bandai Namco's Expanding Digital World
This mobile project is part of a broader initiative by Bandai Namco to grow the Digimon universe. The company's commitment follows the positive reception of Digimon Story: Time Stranger, which has a major expansion planned for 2027, and the globally streaming Digimon Beatbreak anime.
Alongside Digimon Up, the developer provided a progress update on Digimon Alysion, an upcoming online collectible card game for mobile. After a closed beta in 2025, the team showed refined battle screens with enhanced animations during the convention, asking the community for its ongoing support as development continues.
With multiple projects in the pipeline, the Digimon franchise continues to offer diverse experiences for its audience. The community now awaits to see how Digimon Up will compare to the beloved titles that have defined the series over the last twenty years.
