After eFootball, Konami Has a New Soccer Game – Not What You’d Expect

by Ahmed Hassan March 18, 2026

written by Ahmed Hassan March 18, 2026

Key Takeaways

Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark

Kick Buds, a new multiplayer soccer game from Konami, is currently in playtest for Windows PC, iOS, and Android platforms in various countries until March 25.
The game features two main modes: Party Royale (a battle royale format) and Soccer Royale (team-based), which blend soccer with survival elements.
Players can customize their avatars, execute improvised shots, and use various soccer techniques such as headers and chip shots to score goals.
The game showcases a vibrant style, as demonstrated in the trailer released on March 18, 2026, available on YouTube under KICK BUDS Playtest Begins.

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Konami Digital Entertainment, known for eFootball, has announced a new multiplayer soccer game called Kick Buds for Windows PC (via Steam), iOS, and Android platforms. A playtest is currently underway in Brazil, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Turkey, and the U.S., and will continue until March 25. The specific start date for the playtest has not been announced. Kick Buds features intuitive controls—move, jump, and shoot—and offers two main modes that blend soccer with unique survival elements: Party Royale: A battle royale format where players compete on diverse stages with unconventional rules. The first to win three rounds is crowned champion. Soccer Royale: A team-based mode where three players collaborate to outscore two other teams in a three-way match. Players can also master timing to execute improvised shots. Players can customize their avatars and utilize various soccer techniques, such as headers and chip shots, to score goals. Konami released a trailer on March 18, 2026, showcasing the game’s vibrant style in conjunction with the playtest launch. The trailer is available on YouTube under the title “KICK BUDS Playtest Begins.”

Unleashing Survival Football: The New Twist in Kick Buds Gameplay

In Kick Buds, players can anticipate a fresh take on the sport, where navigating levels and surviving unique challenges are just as important as scoring.