Bellwright Console Release & Summer Update – Out Now on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S
The medieval open-world survival RPG Bellwright by Donkey Crew launched on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on June 9, 2026 – alongside a major Summer Update featuring Unreal Engine 5.7, new map content, and a redesigned early-game experience. After selling over 1 million copies in Steam Early Access, the title marks a significant milestone with its console debut.
Published June 19, 2026
Bellwright Console Release: From Early Access Hit to Console Debut
Bellwright, the medieval open-world survival RPG developed by Donkey Crew and published by Snail Games USA, officially launched on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on June 9, 2026. The release marks a major milestone for a game that first entered Steam Early Access on April 23, 2024, and has since sold over 1 million copies on that platform alone.
On consoles, Bellwright Console Release is priced at $29.99. At launch, both platforms offered a 20 % discount – on Xbox via a standard sale, and on PS5 for PS Plus subscribers – valid until June 23, 2026.
What the Summer Update Brings
The console launch arrives hand-in-hand with a substantial Summer Update that also rolls out to the existing PC version. Here's what's new:
Engine & Performance
The most significant technical change is a migration to Unreal Engine 5.7, paired with updated upscaling support for DLSS, FSR, and XeSS. The update also addresses late-game freezes that had been affecting players on PC.
New and Revised Content
- Early-game quest line overhaul – The opening hours of Bellwright have been redesigned to offer a clearer and more engaging introduction.
- Halmare Isles map content – First introduced in the Maiden Voyage update of December 2025, this map area is now fully included in the console version.
- Settlement planning mode – A dedicated tool to plan and organize your village before committing to construction.
Controller Support
The Summer Update introduces full controller support across all platforms, including an improved gamepad experience for PC players.
What's Still Missing
Not everything made it to launch. The planned co-op multiplayer mode was delayed due to unresolved bugs and will not be available at release. Crossplay and self-hosted dedicated servers are both in active development and are expected to arrive later in 2026.
A Point of Comparison
Bellwright's approach to colony-building in a medieval survival sandbox draws natural comparisons to other games in the genre. If you enjoy this style of game, our review of Going Medieval covers a similarly ambitious medieval settlement-builder worth checking out.
Verdict
The Bellwright Console Release is a well-timed package: new players on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S get the full game including the Halmare Isles content, a smoother engine, and a retuned early-game experience. The absence of co-op at launch is a genuine disappointment for those who were waiting for it, but Donkey Crew has been transparent about the delay and is actively working on it. For fans of medieval survival and settlement-building, this remains one of the more substantial offerings in the genre.
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Sources and methodology
This article was researched using the primary and industry sources linked below. Links open in a new tab.
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