Skylanders Swap Force Goes Mix and Match Mad This Autumn

Guess what? The toys are back in town. Activision has announced that it will release a new iteration of Skylanders this autumn, with development headed up by Vicarious Visions. According to the publisher, the change in personnel will give series creator Toys for Bob time to come up with the next big thing. With the significantly more appealing Disney Infinity lurking, that might be for the best.

The game itself, dubbed Skylanders Swap Force, will launch alongside 16 new figurines with interchangeable parts. The hook is that you’ll be able to mix and match characters to unlock new abilities, which does sound pretty fun. The enhanced characters will be joined by 16 regular toys, a further 16 fan-favourite stars, and eight LightCore playthings. You better start saving your pocket money if you want them all.

The title will supposedly boast enhanced visuals on PlayStation 3, which will bring “the game’s detailed characters and rich environments to life”. The whole adventure will take place on the mysterious Cloudbreak Islands, the home to a “mystical volcano that erupts every 100 years to replenish the magic in Skylands”. We’re sure that you’re all deeply invested in the series’ lore.

You’ll need a new Portal of Power to play the game, which is unfortunate if you've already got one. As with previous releases, a Starter Pack will be made available featuring the required peripheral, in addition to two Swap Force characters and one regular Skylander. Sadly, no pricing has been announced just yet, but we expect it to cost around $74.99.