2025 hit Ball x Pit drops to $9.89 for the first time on Steam

Ball x Pit, the indie game that became a surprise hit of 2025, has dropped below the $10 mark on Steam for the first time. According to SteamDB, the title is now available for $9.89 instead of the usual $14.99, a 34% discount. The deal runs until August 20.

Ball x Pit reimagines the classic arcade mechanics of Atari's 1976 Breakout, where players controlled a paddle at the bottom of the screen and bounced a ball against a wall of blocks. In the new version, the blocks are replaced by hordes of monsters, and the base formula is enhanced with Vampire Survivors-style roguelike elements and city building. The game sold one million copies in less than two months since its release.

During a run, players continuously fire balls at approaching enemies. Getting the angle right is crucial, as projectiles bounce off walls and foes. Defeated monsters grant experience, and with each level-up, players pick from randomly offered balls or passive bonuses. There are over 60 types of balls with effects such as fire, poison, or lasers, which can also be fused together.

Upon death, upgrades earned during that particular run are lost, but collected resources and permanently unlocked content are retained in typical roguelike fashion. Between runs, Ball x Pit turns into a small city builder: resources go toward rebuilding New Ballbylon, where new structures unlock permanent bonuses, additional abilities, and more heroes. Each hero has unique attack mechanics, projectile patterns, and special abilities, allowing for a wide range of individual builds.

German gaming magazine Eurogamer awarded the game 4 out of 5 stars in its review. According to games editor Ahmet Iscitürk, Ball x Pit offers almost hypnotic gameplay with that familiar "just one more run" feeling. This makes it well suited for quick sessions between other activities—and thanks to its Steam Deck Verified status, it should run smoothly on the Steam Deck. The surprisingly tactical mechanics and broad build variety also received praise. However, the city-building component can quickly start to feel grindy and noticeably slow down the game's pace. Nevertheless, the bold genre mix has been well received on Steam: of the roughly 26,000 reviews posted since its October 2025 release, 95% are positive.