Get ready to blast through ghouls with the master of horror himself. Drawing inspiration from ’80s action-horror classics, John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is a 4-player co-op shooter that puts you in the boots of a mercenary squad sent to stop the Sludge God from terraforming Earth into an undead wasteland. Powered by the same Swarm Engine behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, the game promises massive hordes, heavy vehicles, and a synth-heavy soundtrack composed by John Carpenter himself.
Toxic Commando Release Date and Global Launch Times
Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive have officially confirmed that John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando will launch on Thursday, March 12, 2026. The game will have a simultaneous global release. Since it is published by Focus Entertainment, it typically follows a standard digital storefront refresh.
| Region | Release Date | Local Time |
|---|---|---|
| West US (Los Angeles) | March 12, 2026 | 9:00 AM PDT |
| East US (New York) | March 12, 2026 | 12:00 PM EDT |
| UK (London) | March 12, 2026 | 4:00 PM GMT |
| Central Europe (Berlin) | March 12, 2026 | 5:00 PM CET |
| Japan (Tokyo) | March 13, 2026 | 1:00 AM JST |
Toxic Commando Countdown Clock
If you’re not sure where your time zone fits with the above regions, then check out our handy countdown clock below to see exactly when John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando releases in your region:
Platforms
Toxic Commando is built for current-gen hardware to support the high enemy counts rendered by the Swarm Engine. Here’s where you can play:
- PlayStation 5 (PS5 Pro Enhanced features confirmed)
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC (Available on Steam and Epic Games Store)
Gameplay: Classes, Cars, and Carnage
Toxic Commando is a "buddy-movie" style shooter that prioritizes over-the-top cooperative action. You can choose from four distinct classes: Strike (DPS), Medic (Healer), Operator (Tech Support), and Defender (Tank). Each class possesses a dedicated skill tree and over 30 customization options, allowing squads to build specific synergies for the game's semi-open missions.
Unique to this genre is the heavy emphasis on vehicular combat. You’ll navigate the sludge-filled environments in specialized rides, ranging from high-speed buggies to armoured trucks equipped with winches and turrets. The focus of the game is on clearing out thousands of enemies simultaneously, no matter if you’re on foot using katanas and assault rifles or behind the wheel turning zombies into roadkill.
Play the Toxic Commando Demo
If you want to test your trigger finger early, a limited-time playable demo is available on Steam. This public demo allows you to try out the matchmaking system and experience one full mission from the campaign. It’s the perfect way to see how the Swarm Engine handles on your specific PC rig before the full release.
Editions and Pre-order Bonuses
There are two primary ways to join the commandos. All pre-orders, regardless of edition, include the Leon's Secret Stash DLC, which grants an ACW-20 assault rifle skin, a Wakizashi katana, and a unique player title.
- Standard Edition ($39.99): The base game and pre-order bonuses.
- Blood Edition ($49.99): Includes the base game, the Bloody Pass (two post-launch DLCs), and an exclusive Gold Cosmetic Pack for weapons and characters.
- Loyalty Discount: Owners of World War Z on select platforms may be eligible for a 20% loyalty discount upon checkout.
- Space Marine Bundles: On Steam, you can get Toxic Commando bundled with Space Marine 2, with versions for both editions of the game.
