Care Bears: Unlock the Magic — Everything We Know

Sing with me: “Care Bears Countdown! 4, 3, 2, 1!” If the new game includes the classic theme song, I’ll be happy. The Care Bears family has long been a source of joy for many. It’s a warm and fuzzy animation series whose many bears graced our screens back in the ‘80s. And yet, the Care Bears remain an internet sensation, spanning several game adaptations, among them the upcoming game. We don’t quite yet have all the information on the story and gameplay for the new game, even though the release date is engraved in stone and fast approaching. Still, we’ve scoured online for all the information we can find. Here’s everything we know about Care Bears: Unlock the Magic so far.

What is Care Bears: Unlock the Magic?

Care Bears: Unlock the Magic is an upcoming adventure platformer game. It’ll, as the name suggests, feature the Care Bears from the 80’s animation series. This means you’ll have the chance to play as your favorite bears, from Cheer Bear, Bedtime Bear, Tenderheart Bear, and many more from Care-A-Lot. There’s also some form of story you’ll be unraveling, although it doesn’t seem quite as profound. Generally, the game intends to compile different arcade games where you choose a Care Bear and play with your friends.

Story

In the source material, you follow the adventures of the Care Bears who leave their home in Care-A-Lot to bring joy and happiness to the folks over at Silver Lining. They meet the Whiffles and shower them with harmony. However, the naughty Bluster and his gang of minions pose a threat to the bears. Care Bears: Unlock the Magic seems to follow a somewhat similar story, albeit seemingly very simple and straightforward. You’ll be playing arcade games to gain Star Power, which you’ll use to disperse the Storm Clouds descending over Silver Lining. You’ll also meet with the quirky Whiffles, who further enrich your journey. All the while, you’re embarking on a journey through a magical road that ends with a “lovely surprise.”

Gameplay

Care Bears: Unlock the Magic plans to feature lots of arcade minigames, some of which you may already have played before. Initially, you choose Cheer Bear or either of her friends to embark on a delightful journey. These include Bedtime Bear, Tenderheart Bear, and more, who are also a part of the roster from Care-A-Lot. Being an adventure game, you’ll progress through a barebones story that takes you across over 200 levels. The levels will provide a mix of a dozen unique minigames, all set in the whimsical world of The Care Bears Family. It seems you’ll be collecting items or rewards called Star Power, which disperse the Storm Clouds hovering over Silver Lining. You’ll also meet lots of quirky characters, including the Whiffles. Eventually, you’ll wrap up your playthrough at the end of the magical adventure, having uncovered a lovely surprise.

At its core, Care Bears: Unlock the Magic is an arcade game that compiles several minigames, all themed and drawing inspiration from classic arcade favorites. You’ll play games similar to Cross the Rainbow, Lost Whiffle, Care Bubbles, and more. Lastly, progressing through the game will allow you to fill an art book. You’ll do so by unlocking stickers, which come in all shapes and sizes. The stickers have unique art and represent the bears from the Care Bears: Unlock The Magic show. Can you collect all the stickers?

Development

Maximum Entertainment is the lead developer and publisher for the upcoming Care Bears: Unlock the Magic game. The studio is based in Stockholm, Sweden, and it has experience working on indie to AA games. They’ve so far been launching projects based on “original content and licensed partnerships.” Some of the games Maximum Entertainment has worked on include Soulstice, Squirrel with a Gun, Until Then, Smalland: Survive the Wilds, and more. You can also look forward to their upcoming releases, including Bye Sweet Carole, Projekt Z: Beyond Order, Overthrown, and more.

With lots of projects underway, Maximum Entertainment sure has a lot of work cut out for them. Still, they’ve launched a reveal trailer and posted screenshots of the new game on their website. The gameplay seems simple enough, with wonderfully colorful palettes for a family-friendly venture. 

Trailer

Care Bears: Unlock the Magic’s reveal trailer is out now, free to watch at your own time. As you might expect, it’s utterly whimsical, with a catchy tune and a blissfully colorful world. This is a family-friendly game that may be more inclined to a younger audience. Still, older gamers may enjoy lots of fun and relaxation from it. In the video, you see the bears that you will be able to control in the final game. Your job is to guide them across simple puzzles and platforms.

There seems to be a good variety of minigames you can play. So, it may be a matter of finding your guilty pleasure. It’s pretty easy to imbalance in these types of games. Some minigames could be too simple than others. Some may have better rewards. With over 200 levels to go through, Maximum Entertainment has their work cut out for them to create minigames that are engaging through to the end. It could also be made replayable with friends and family if an online multiplayer option were made available.

Release Date, Platforms, & Editions

A date has been set for the launch of Care Bears: Unlock the Magic. On March 27, 2025, you’ll be able to control your favorite bears from Care-A-Lot. Further, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch owners will enjoy the journey. Unfortunately, no other platforms have been confirmed just yet, but we’ll keep an eye out for you, including any news of editions that will be available for preorder. Meanwhile, you can always follow the official social handle here to get new updates straight from the source.

So, what’s your take? Will you be grabbing a copy of Care Bears: Unlock the Magic when it drops? Let us know over on our socials here.