RUBATO Launches Tomorrow: A Frog, a Tongue, and a Broken Solar System
RUBATO launches March 20 on PC, PS5, Xbox, and Switch. Solo dev dconn created a physics-based collect-a-thon where a frog uses its tongue to fix the solar system.
Indie game enthusiast and pixel art admirer. I play everything so you don't have to — but you'll want to after reading my picks.
Tomorrow marks the release of one of the strangest and most charming indie games I have seen in years. RUBATO launches March 20 on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. If you have not been paying attention to this one, now is the time to start.
What Is RUBATO?
RUBATO is a 2D physics-based collect-a-thon platformer developed by solo creator dconn. You play as a frog who must fix the solar system after it explodes. Yes, really. The year is 12,012, and a megacorporation called GSSAI CO. has controlled the universe for centuries. Then someone screws up a game of pool and everything falls apart.
The core mechanic involves using your tongue to lick enemies and objects as you navigate open, metroidvania-style areas. You collect "Planet Bits" scattered throughout the world to piece the solar system back together. It sounds absurd because it is. That absurdity is the entire point.
Why This Matters
Solo developer projects carry a certain energy that larger studios cannot replicate. Every design decision, every line of dialogue, every weird joke comes from one person's vision. RUBATO embraces that freedom completely. The game describes itself as "experimental" and leans into strange humor while also promising surprisingly serious character writing. The press materials literally ask "Is the guy who made this game okay?"
The console versions are being handled by Headcannon, the studio behind Sonic Mania and Sonic Origins. That pedigree suggests the ports will be solid, and it signals that people with serious platformer credentials saw something special in this project.
Five Densely Packed Worlds
RUBATO features five compact areas designed for exploration and discovery. These include a sprawling bakery and what the developers describe as "the world's most poorly planned city." Secrets and shortcuts hide in every corner. The collect-a-thon structure rewards players who poke around rather than rushing through.
An hour-long demo is available now on Steam and consoles. That is enough time to understand whether the physics-based licking mechanic clicks for you. I recommend trying it before launch day.
The Details
Release Date: March 20, 2026
Platforms: PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, Linux, Mac
Developer: dconn
Publisher: dconn (PC), Headcannon (consoles)
Price: Check the Steam page for regional pricing
Should You Play It?
If you appreciate indie games that take creative swings, RUBATO deserves your attention. The combination of physics-based platforming, collect-a-thon exploration, and genuinely weird storytelling sets it apart from safer releases. Solo dev projects like this represent what makes the indie scene exciting. Give the demo a try. You will know within minutes whether this frog's journey is for you.