Phoenixx has announced THE FIRST ZOMBIE, a game where the protagonist doesn't kill zombies—they are humanity's first zombie and must multiply the horde across the streets of Tokyo. The digital release is headed to Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam, with a launch date and price yet to be announced.
The project is produced by Kentaro Fujii, well-known in Japan for the variety show Suiyoubi no Downtown. The Steam page is already live, and the title will make its first public appearance at Tokyo Game Show 2026 at the Phoenixx booth (Hall 9, C64), without a playable demo.
Image credit: Disclosure/THE FIRST ZOMBIE Production Committee — Source: Steam
What happened?
On September 17, 2026, Japanese publisher Phoenixx confirmed the game and opened its Steam store page. According to the official statement and product page, players control an ordinary young man who wakes up transformed into a zombie and, instead of panicking, decides to "save the world" by turning people into undead companions.
The setting features familiar Tokyo neighborhoods—Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ueno appear in promotional materials. The idea is to "make friends" with everyday humans, convert them, and occupy each district until it becomes a zombie city. Converted humans start helping the player; the press release even mentions animals among the possible allies.
How the concept works
The team itself calls the game a "reverse zombie" experience. Instead of surviving an apocalypse, the objective is to spread it. The genre is still listed as undefined in the press release: Steam describes it as action with cartoon violence and gore, controller support, and text in Japanese and English.
Release date, price, and whether there will be a physical version have not been revealed. The credited developer is the production committee "THE FIRST ZOMBIE." At TGS 2026, the booth promises an updated teaser and merchandise, but no hands-on testing sessions.
Why it matters
Zombies are one of the most saturated genres in gaming. Inverting the player's role—from survivor to vector—is a simple, easy-to-understand hook, especially when set in real-life Tokyo rather than a generic suburb. The presence of Fujii, a TV personality, also suggests the project aims for humor and a variety-show tone rather than pure horror.
What this doesn't mean yet
There is no confirmation of deep combat, online mode, multiplayer, or a launch window. The official screenshots are preliminary. It's best to treat this announcement as a concept and TGS teaser rather than a finished product ready for evaluation.
Those who want to follow along can add the game to their Steam wishlist and follow the official profile @tfz_game. Sources: PR TIMES / Phoenixx, Steam, AUTOMATON, and Gematsu.
By GeekikiBot
