Felix Kjellberg, better known as PewDiePie, has done a lot of things. He’s been the king of YouTube, a meme historian, and a guy who occasionally gets into deep water. But back in 2015, he did something that most influencers fail at miserably. He released a video game that was actually good. PewDiePie: Legend of the Brofist wasn't just some lazy cash grab with a face slapped on it. It was a legitimate, tough-as-nails 2D platformer that captured a very specific era of the internet.
It’s weird looking back now. 2015 feels like a lifetime ago in internet years. This was the peak of the "Bro Army." Before the huge controversies and the pivot to "LWIAY" and book reviews, Felix was the guy screaming at barrels in Amnesia. Outerminds, the Montreal-based developer, somehow bottled that chaotic energy and turned it into a game that still sits with a "Very Positive" rating on Steam today. That doesn't happen by accident.
What Legend of the Brofist Got Right (And Why Most Creator Games Fail)
Most "influencer games" are just reskinned versions of Flappy Bird or some generic match-three puzzle. They’re built to extract a few dollars from fans before the hype dies. Legend of the Brofist took the opposite approach. It’s a side-scrolling action game that draws heavy inspiration from classics like Mega Man and Super Mario Bros., but with a layer of absurdity that only makes sense if you spent too much time on YouTube in the mid-2010s.
The plot is basically fever-dream material. Evil barrels—Felix’s long-time nemeses—kidnap his fans. To save them, you have to fight through levels ranging from PewDiePie's house to the North Pole and even outer space. You aren't just playing as Felix, either. You can unlock Marzia, Jacksepticeye, Markiplier, and CinnamonToastKen. Each character has their own voice acting, which adds a layer of authenticity that felt huge at the time. Hearing Jacksepticeye yell "Top of the mornin' to ya!" while you blast enemies is peak nostalgia bait, sure, but the gameplay loop of collecting "Brocoins" to upgrade your abilities actually keeps you hooked.
Honestly, the difficulty is what surprises people most. If you play on "Easy," you'll breeze through. But try "Brofist" mode? You’re going to die. A lot. The bosses are patterned and require actual timing. It’s a real game.
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The Mechanics of the Brofist
You’ve got your basic jump and attack, but the "Defense" and "Attack" skills are where the strategy comes in. You can summon a giant fist to smash the screen or use a health regen. It’s simple. It’s effective.
- Customization: You can swap out your attacks based on your playstyle.
- The Dogs: Maya and Edgar (Felix’s pugs) are heavily featured, which was a must for fans.
- The Shop: You spend Brocoins to unlock new characters and perks. No predatory microtransactions here—you just play the game.
One of the coolest details is the sheer amount of references packed into the levels. It’s a time capsule. You’ve got the Illuminati memes, the "Falcon Lover" jokes, and references to games Felix played on his channel like Happy Wheels. For a modern gamer, some of this might feel dated, but for anyone who lived through that era of YouTube, it’s a trip down memory lane. The pixel art by Outerminds is also genuinely fantastic. It has that chunky, vibrant 16-bit aesthetic that never really goes out of style.
It's Not Just for Fans
You’d think a game about a YouTuber would be unplayable for anyone else. Not really. While the jokes might fly over your head, the level design stands on its own. There are vehicle segments, like the flying levels, that break up the platforming. These parts feel a bit like Gradius or R-Type. They aren't perfect—the touch controls on mobile can be a bit finicky during the high-speed sections—but the PC version on Steam fixes most of those frustrations with controller support.
The Legacy of Outerminds and the "PewDiePie Universe"
After the success of Legend of the Brofist, Outerminds didn't just disappear. They went on to make Tuber Simulator, which was an even bigger hit in terms of pure numbers. But Tuber Simulator is an idle game. It’s a different beast. Legend of the Brofist remains the most "complete" experience they’ve built with Felix.
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It’s interesting to note that this game came out right before the landscape of YouTube changed forever. Soon after, we had the "Adpocalypse," and the tone of content creation shifted. This game represents the tail end of the "Old YouTube" era—a time when things felt a bit more DIY and less like a corporate machine.
Technical Performance and Where to Play Today
If you’re looking to pick this up in 2026, you have options. It’s still on the iOS App Store and Google Play for a few bucks. It also runs perfectly on the Steam Deck. In fact, playing it on a handheld feels like the "correct" way to experience it.
The game is lightweight. It’ll run on a potato. Because it’s pixel art, it hasn’t aged a day visually. Some older mobile games look blurry on modern high-res screens, but Outerminds used high-quality assets that scale well. One thing to keep in mind: the game hasn't received a major content update in years. What you see is what you get. But what you get is a tight, 3-to-5-hour campaign that doesn't overstay its welcome.
Is It Worth the Price?
Currently, the game usually sits around $4.99. Is it worth five bucks? If you like platformers, yeah. If you like PewDiePie, definitely. If you hate YouTubers but love Mega Man, you’ll still find a decent game here, though you might want to mute the voice acting if the "Bro" talk gets on your nerves.
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There are no ads. No "Wait 24 hours to unlock this level." No "Buy 1000 gems for $99." It’s a premium game from an era before every mobile app tried to turn into a second job. That alone makes it feel like a relic of a better time.
How to Actually Beat the Hardest Levels
If you're jumping in for the first time, don't get cocky. The North Pole levels will wreck you if you aren't careful with the slippery physics.
- Prioritize the "Doge" shield. It’s arguably the best defensive skill in the game. It gives you a window of invincibility that is crucial for boss fights.
- Farm Brocoins early. Replay the first few levels to unlock Jacksepticeye or Markiplier. They have slightly different stats that can help with specific jumps.
- Watch the patterns. Bosses in this game don't cheat; they follow strict routines. If you die, it's usually because you got greedy with your hits.
- Use a controller. Seriously. If you're on PC or using a Bluetooth controller on your phone, the precision increases tenfold.
The Final Verdict on Legend of the Brofist
PewDiePie: Legend of the Brofist is a rare example of a licensed product that respects its audience. It doesn't treat the player like an ATM. It treats them like a gamer. Whether you're a fan of Felix or just someone who appreciates a solid 2D challenge, it's a piece of internet history that's actually fun to play. It’s short, punchy, and filled with a weird kind of heart.
It reminds us that before the billion-dollar deals and the streaming wars, the internet was just a place where a guy and his dogs could inspire a really cool video game about fighting barrels.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check Compatibility: If you're on a modern Android device, ensure your OS version supports older 32-bit or early 64-bit apps, as some very new phones struggle with older titles.
- Steam Version: If you want the most stable experience with the best controls, buy the game on Steam rather than mobile.
- Character Unlocks: Focus on unlocking Marzia first if you struggle with platforming, as her hover ability makes certain gaps much easier to manage.
- Archive Your Save: If you’ve played before and are returning, note that the game does not always sync perfectly with cloud saves across different platforms (iOS to PC, for example). Keep your local files backed up.