Garfield Joins Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl as Free DLC: A Lasagna-Loving Brawler

The platform fighting scene just got a lot more deliciously lazy. Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, the game that lets players pit iconic cartoon characters against each other in chaotic battles, has welcomed its first post-launch combatant. And who could it be but the world's most famous, Monday-hating, lasagna-obsessed feline? That's right, Garfield has clawed his way onto the roster, proving that even a cat who famously prefers napping can throw down when the occasion calls for it (or when a fresh pan of pasta is on the line). The announcement, which arrived in late 2021, marked a significant expansion for the game's lineup, dipping into Nickelodeon's broader portfolio of acquired properties. Who would have thought that a character known more for his disdain for exertion would become a downloadable fighter?

The Big Reveal: A Cat Out of the Bag

The developer, Ludosity, had teased a new character announcement just days prior, sending the fanbase into a frenzy of speculation. Was it going to be another classic Nicktoon star? Perhaps a deeper cut from the network's vast history? The answer, delivered via an official announcement trailer, was both surprising and oddly fitting. The trailer cleverly recapped the existing cast before being deliciously interrupted by the arrival of the orange tabby, looking as smug and unimpressed as ever. True to his core personality, Garfield's entire moveset is a culinary carnage. Forget fancy martial arts—this cat fights with food! His arsenal includes:

• 🥧 Pie Tossing: A classic comedic projectile.

• 🍝 Lasagna Launch: Using the sheer force of his jaw opening to devour pasta, he catapults opponents skyward. Talk about a powerful appetite!

• 🍗 Drumstick Whack: Why use a sword when a giant chicken leg does the trick?

Garfield launched as free DLC on December 9, 2021, for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, with a slightly later Switch release on December 21. This move was widely praised, as it added substantial content without an extra cost to players.

A Stage Fit for a Foodie

Of course, a character this dedicated to gastronomy couldn't arrive without an appropriately themed arena. The new stage that accompanied Garfield is a masterpiece of edible architecture. The main platform is a giant, bubbling pan of lasagna—because what else would it be? Additional floating platforms take the form of cheesy pizzas, providing precarious footholds amid the saucy battlefield. It’s a stage that perfectly encapsulates Garfield's world: delicious, messy, and slightly absurd.

Why Garfield? A Strategic (and Nostalgic) Choice

Garfield's inclusion brought the total roster count to 21 fighters. But his selection raised some eyebrows. After all, isn't his legacy arguably more potent than his current relevance on Nickelodeon? Viacom (now Paramount Global), Nickelodeon's parent company, had acquired the rights to Garfield a few years prior with plans for a new animated series. Adding him to All-Star Brawl was a strategic cross-promotional move, reintroducing the classic cat to a new generation of gamers.

However, many fans wondered if other Nickelodeon icons might have been more obvious first picks for DLC. The network's library is bursting with potential fighters who are intrinsically linked to its brand:

While these characters might be less globally recognizable than the infamous Garfield, their importance within the Nickelodeon pantheon made them strong contenders. Garfield's last major video game outing was the augmented reality mobile game Garfield GO, which focused on getting restaurant discounts—a far cry from high-octane platform fighting. So, was choosing Garfield a stroke of genius or a nostalgic gamble? It certainly got people talking!

The Legacy of a Lasagna Brawler in 2026

Looking back from the perspective of 2026, Garfield's addition to Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl can be seen as a pivotal moment. It signaled the game's willingness to look beyond its core Nicktoons library and incorporate characters from Nickelodeon's wider corporate family. This move potentially opened the door for other acquired properties in future updates. Did it set a precedent? One could argue it showed that any character with a strong personality—and a love for Italian food—could become a viable fighter.

The DLC was also notable for being free, a consumer-friendly practice that helped maintain player engagement during the game's early post-launch period. In an era where fighting games are often criticized for expensive season passes, this was a welcome surprise. Garfield proved that you don't need to be the most acrobatic or magical character to make a splash; sometimes, all you need is a good gimmick and a relentless craving for lasagna.

So, the next time you're selecting your fighter in Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl, remember the orange cat who redefined culinary combat. He may hate Mondays, but he certainly doesn't hate a good brawl—especially if there's a food-themed stage involved. Who knew that a character synonymous with laziness could bring such fresh energy to the battlefield? The answer, it seems, was in the pasta all along.

According to articles published by Eurogamer, the inclusion of crossover characters like Garfield in platform fighters often serves as both a nostalgic nod and a strategic move to broaden a game's appeal. Eurogamer's coverage of similar DLC additions highlights how such choices can reinvigorate player interest and spark lively community discussions, especially when the character brings a unique thematic twist—like Garfield's food-based combat style—to the roster.