Castle Crashers Returns with New DLC: Painter Boss Paradise

Arriving nearly two decades after its original release, Castle Crashers is set to receive a brand-new DLC this summer. Titled Painter Boss Paradise, this marks developer The Behemoth’s fourth DLC for the beloved four-player beat-em-up and the first since 2011.

A Long-Awaited Expansion

Originally launched in 2008, Castle Crashers became a massive hit, selling millions of copies across multiple platforms. The game later received a remastered edition and additional content, introducing new characters and mini-games. Now, fans are in for another treat with the upcoming Painter Boss Paradise expansion, which will introduce custom skins, new characters, and enhanced gameplay features.

New Content and Features

Announced in June 2024 as a Steam exclusive, Painter Boss Paradise centers around the original game’s quirky villain, The Painter. The DLC introduces Paint Junior, a new playable character who wields a giant pencil as his weapon of choice. Additionally, players will be able to create and share custom skins via Steam Workshop, with full animation support and the ability to replace both player avatars and generic enemies. Custom characters can also be equipped with any of the existing magical abilities in the game.

Quality-of-Life Improvements

Beyond new characters and customization options, the DLC also brings several quality-of-life updates. A redesigned world map includes animated Easter eggs, while a universally implemented auto-potion feature makes gameplay smoother. These updates further refine Castle Crashers while keeping its chaotic, fast-paced action intact.

Console Release?

Currently, the DLC is set to launch exclusively on Steam in early summer 2025 at an affordable $3.99 price point. However, The Behemoth co-founder Dan Paladin has hinted at a possible console release in the future, leaving fans hopeful for wider availability.

With Painter Boss Paradise, Castle Crashers gets its first fresh content in over a decade, signaling that the game’s legacy is far from over. Whether this is the final expansion or just another step in its ongoing evolution, one thing is certain: Castle Crashers is still alive and kicking, ready to deliver more fun and chaos to players old and new.