Hit action-rhythm game Dead As Disco launched into Steam Early Access earlier this year, and beat-focused battlers everywhere have been rightfully stoked since.
The addictive dance-brawler, which tasks players with punching, ducking, dodging, and kicking to the beat of each original song, has welcomed more than half a million dancers since its springtime release.
Now, independent game studio Brain Jar Games is thanking its supporters with a biiiiiig Steam Early Access update.
Dead As Disco fans can heat things up with Dahlia, a hot new Idol boss that’s taking on the likes of playable character Charlie Disco.
Might be time to dust off those yellow jackets, dancers.
Dahlia brings with her a full new story level, two brand-new arenas, eight new in-game challenges, a new enemy type, awesome new abilities, wearables, moves, and more.
The newest boss is the band’s former pianist and a dancer who ignites every damage-dealing move in a massive, multi-stage battle. Watch the lush botanical setting in which your battle begins devolve into the wildest “the floor is lava” game ever played.
Get far enough and see Dahlia’s powerful and harrowing Death Form in action.
Dahlia’s the new Big Bad, but dancers will also go toe-to-toe with the new Flamecho enemy, which can send raining fire down before rushing in with some impressive (and, unfortunately, unblockable) new moves.
Don’t get too hot, Charlie Disco — burns inflict damage to the beat. Ouch.
Dancers can find Dahlia at her home base, The Nightshade.
Defeat her to unlock her Skill Tree and her powerful Phantom Dance. This empowered dodge leaves behind a ”pyroette” that Charlie can detonate with the right follow-up.
Dahlia’s signature track, “La Pantera,” brings Spanish piano and a Latin-inspired sound to the Dead As Disco soundtrack. Altogether, the new update adds five new songs:
- La Pantera (Radio Edit)
- La Pantera (Boss Remix)
- Sugar and Spice
- Suavemente
- Kumbala
See new idol Dahlia, La Pantera, in her new reveal trailer on YouTube:
Dead as Disco nominated at Golden Joystick Awards 2026
Dead as Disco devs at Brain Jar Games are celebrating the update and a new award nod. The game has been nominated for “Best Early Access Game” at this year’s Golden Joystick Awards.
Brain Jar Games is a fully remote, independent game studio helmed by former developers from AAA studios like BioWare, Super Evil Megacorp, and Trion Worlds. Formed in 2024, the studio launched Dead as Disco as its first project.
Viewer voting is LIVE. Vote for Dead as Disco (and your other faves) via the Golden Joystick Awards’ official website. Cast ballots in nearly two dozen categories like “Best Narrative” and “Best Game Trailer.”
Viewers can vote until submissions close on Friday, October 23, 2026, at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET/midnight BST.
Watch the full Golden Joystick Awards 2026 ceremony, simulcast globally on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, to find out which games take home the coveted joystick trophy.
Get even more updates on Dead As Disco by wishlisting the game on Steam, following its devs on Bluesky, or joining the Discord channel.
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