The Shocking Truth About 'Cartoon Network Smash Bros': Why MultiVersus Shut Down In 2025 And What's Left
The dream of a true "Cartoon Network Smash Bros" has officially entered a state of limbo, following a major, recent development that has left fans reeling. For years, the concept of a platform fighter starring beloved characters from Adult Swim, Hanna-Barbera, and the core Cartoon Network roster has been a highly-requested reality, culminating in two major titles: the classic Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion and its modern spiritual successor, MultiVersus. As of the current date in late 2025, the landscape of this crossover fighting genre has been drastically altered, with the newest and most ambitious entry now a shadow of its former self, playable only in a limited capacity.
The latest and most critical update is the permanent server shutdown of MultiVersus, the free-to-play platform fighter developed by Player First Games and published by Warner Bros. Games. This move, which was completed on May 30, 2025, effectively ended all online play, real-money transactions, and future seasonal content updates for the game, forcing the massive roster of characters into an exclusive offline mode. This dramatic conclusion marks the end of an era for the WB crossover fighting genre, raising serious questions about the future of a dedicated Cartoon Network-style brawler.
The Rise and Fall of the Modern 'Cartoon Network Smash Bros': MultiVersus (2022–2025)
The game widely considered the definitive "Cartoon Network Smash Bros" spiritual successor was MultiVersus. While the roster expanded far beyond just Cartoon Network properties, the inclusion of fan-favorite characters created a massive buzz. The game was initially praised for its unique 2v2 team-based combat mechanics and its massive potential as a live-service, free-to-play title.
The MultiVersus Roster: A Crossover Dream
What made MultiVersus so compelling was its incredible, multi-franchise roster, which heavily featured Cartoon Network icons alongside other Warner Bros. properties like DC Comics and Looney Tunes. The game successfully brought together characters from different generations and art styles, creating a unique fighting experience. Key Cartoon Network and related entities that were playable included:
- Steven Universe (from Steven Universe)
- Garnet (from Steven Universe)
- Finn the Human (from Adventure Time)
- Jake the Dog (from Adventure Time)
- Tom and Jerry (from the classic cartoon)
- Bugs Bunny (from Looney Tunes)
- Velma (from Scooby-Doo)
- Shaggy (from Scooby-Doo)
- Gizmo (from Gremlins)
- Rick Sanchez (from Rick and Morty)
- Morty Smith (from Rick and Morty)
The 2025 Server Shutdown: The Final Blow
Despite its initial success and popular roster, the fate of MultiVersus was sealed in 2025. The developers confirmed that Season 5 would be the final seasonal content update. The most critical dates for the game's demise were:
- January 31, 2025: Real money transactions were permanently disabled, preventing players from purchasing new Gleamium or other premium currency.
- May 30, 2025: The game's servers were permanently shut down and the game was delisted from digital storefronts. This move ended all online multiplayer functionality, including ranked matches and co-op play.
While the game remains playable, it is strictly in an offline mode. Players who purchased or earned content before the shutdown can still access most of it, but the core competitive experience that defined the platform fighter genre is now gone. This abrupt end has left a massive void in the "Smash Bros clone" market, particularly for fans of the Cartoon Network franchises.
The Legacy: Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion (2011)
Before MultiVersus, the original attempt at a dedicated Cartoon Network platform fighter was Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion (PTE), released in 2011 for the Nintendo 3DS and later expanded into Punch Time Explosion XL for consoles like the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii. This game was a far more focused love letter to the channel's classic programming, serving as the first true realization of the "CN Smash Bros" concept.
Unlike its successor, PTE was a traditional, one-time purchase title that delivered a full story mode and a dedicated roster pulled exclusively from the Cartoon Network universe. The game's existence proved the demand for such a crossover, establishing a foundational blueprint for future attempts.
The PTE XL Roster: The Golden Era of CN
Punch Time Explosion XL is still celebrated for its deep dive into the network's history, pulling characters from the '90s and 2000s golden era. The sheer number of characters and franchises represented set a high bar for topical authority. The expansive roster included numerous iconic entities:
- Ben Tennyson (from Ben 10: Ultimate Alien)
- Chowder and Kimchi (from Chowder)
- Buttercup (from The Powerpuff Girls)
- Flapjack (from The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack)
- Captain K'nuckles (from Flapjack)
- Samurai Jack (from Samurai Jack)
- Dexter (from Dexter's Laboratory)
- Blossom (from The Powerpuff Girls)
- Bubbles (from The Powerpuff Girls)
- Billy & Mandy (from The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy)
- The Grim Reaper (from The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy)
- Numbuh One (from Codename: Kids Next Door)
- Mac and Bloo (from Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends)
- Johnny Bravo (from Johnny Bravo)
- Aku (from Samurai Jack, as a villain/playable character)
- Vilgax (from Ben 10, as a villain/playable character)
The game also featured assists and stages from other shows like Ed, Edd n Eddy, Courage the Cowardly Dog, and The Secret Saturdays, truly cementing its status as a massive Cartoon Network crossover event.
What is the Future of the Cartoon Network Fighting Game?
With the permanent server shutdown of MultiVersus, the platform fighter genre is once again searching for its next major contender, and fans of the Cartoon Network universe are left wondering if a third attempt will ever materialize. The closure of the WB-published title suggests that the live-service model, which relies on continuous content and a massive player base, might not be sustainable for a non-Nintendo platform fighter, regardless of the star power of the roster.
The current state of the "Cartoon Network Smash Bros" is one of nostalgia and limited access. Players can still revisit the classic, fully-contained experience of Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion XL, or they can enjoy the offline modes of MultiVersus, using characters like Shaggy and Steven Universe in local multiplayer or against AI opponents. However, the energy and community of a thriving online fighting game are now absent.
The next spiritual successor, if it ever comes, will likely need to learn from the mistakes of MultiVersus. A successful future title might focus on a more traditional, complete-package release, or perhaps a smaller, more focused roster dedicated solely to the Cartoon Network IP, reminiscent of the beloved Punch Time Explosion. For now, the dream is on hold, but the legacy of these two ambitious crossover fighters—one a dedicated nostalgic trip, the other a massive, short-lived modern phenomenon—continues to keep the hope alive for the ultimate Cartoon Network brawler.
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