Deltarune Chapter 5 Release Date Set for Second Half of 2026

Deltarune Chapter 5 is officially on track for release in the second half of 2026, according to creator Toby Fox, who shared the update while celebrating the tenth anniversary of his cult classic hit, Undertale. The news, though not entirely unexpected, sheds light on the current state of development and what fans can look forward to as the game nears completion.

Fox explained that although development has moved at a faster pace than the gap between earlier chapters, the practicalities of localization, bug testing, and final polishing make it unlikely for Chapter 5 to launch in the first half of 2026.

In his words: “That’s not a surprise, right?” He reminded players that the community has already seen how long previous phases took, and emphasized that this time, there are no external delays – just the natural demands of finishing the game properly.

Providing rare insight into the production cycle, Fox revealed that the earliest segments of Chapter 5 are already completed but still need polish. Roughly 40% of the game is sitting in a draft state, while the final 10% is still at the prototype stage. Cutscene work is far along, with about 85% drafted, though Fox estimates around a fifth of them will require extra polish before shipping. On the gameplay side, standard enemy encounters are essentially wrapped up, and even some content from Chapter 6 is already being prototyped, with programmers testing out bullet patterns for future battles.

Boss fights – always a highlight in both Undertale and Deltarune – are also shaping up. Fox confirmed that the structure of each encounter has been outlined, with attacks already designed and implemented. The next step is carefully arranging these sequences so they not only challenge players but also capture the tone and emotional weight of the story moments they’re attached to.

Looking back, Fox acknowledged that earlier chapters faced “creative hurdles.” For example, the board system in Chapter 3 and narrative events in Noelle’s house took longer to resolve than expected. However, once those bottlenecks were solved and the team expanded, development smoothed out significantly. With Chapter 5, the major obstacles are already behind them, leaving the team free to focus on refinement. The single remaining major milestone for 2025 is to begin translation efforts by year’s end, ensuring international players won’t be left waiting long after launch.

For those who haven’t yet stepped into the strange and heartfelt world of Deltarune, there’s still time to catch up. The first four chapters have already been praised by critics and fans alike, with standout reviews highlighting its humor, memorable cast, and soundtrack that rivals the brilliance of Undertale. The saga, often described as a spiritual successor rather than a direct sequel, began in 2018, with Chapter 2 following in 2021. Most recently, Chapters 3 and 4 dropped earlier this year alongside the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, rekindling excitement around the series.

While the wait for Chapter 5 may stretch into late 2026, Fox’s reassurance suggests the project is in stable hands. Given the legacy of Undertale and the acclaim already surrounding Deltarune, fans can expect a continuation that honors the quirky charm, emotional storytelling, and innovative design that made these games iconic in the indie RPG landscape.