Little Nightmares III: The Backstage DLC Launches, Introducing The Puppeteer and New Playable Content

Little Nightmares III: The Backstage, the game’s first DLC expansion, is now available for Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and last-gen consoles. This DLC marks the debut of a new character, Dime, and the Resident called The Puppeteer, expanding the series’ signature platform horror gameplay.

The Backstage DLC for Little Nightmares III launched as part of the Secrets of the Spiral Expansion Pass, with availability on all major platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and previous-generation systems. This expansion is Supermassive Games’ first additional content following their take on the universe established by Tarsier Studios. The DLC can be purchased separately for £6.49 on console and £6.99 on Steam, making it accessible to both newcomers and series veterans.

What’s New in The Backstage DLC?

Players will reunite with Low and meet Dime, a new child character described in the official announcement as “wearing a torch hat, a very helpful tool for finding their way in what lies beyond the curtains of The Carnevale.” The two children must, according to publisher Bandai Namco, “face new threats and use their light to find a way to save Alone from the hands of a new Resident: The Puppeteer.” This antagonist continues the series’ tradition of sinister, looming enemies in an unsettling environment.

Notably, this DLC emphasizes light mechanics and cooperation, challenging players to navigate “what lies beyond the curtains” using Dime’s torch hat. The backdrop remains the unnerving, grotesque world fans have come to expect from Little Nightmares.

Quotes from the official release:

• “Players will see Low meet Dime, a new child wearing a torch hat, ‘a very helpful tool for finding their way in what lies beyond the curtains of The Carnevale’.”
• “The two children must ‘face new threats and use their light to find a way to save Alone from the hands of a new Resident: The Puppeteer’.”

Availability, Pricing, and Expansion Pass Details

The Backstage DLC forms part of the Secrets of the Spiral Expansion Pass. According to publisher pricing:

• Price on console: £6.49
• Price on Steam: £6.99
• Platforms: Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and legacy consoles

Players can purchase the expansion pass for access to future DLC or buy The Backstage as a standalone experience.

Critical Reception and Series Updates

Little Nightmares III previously received a three out of five stars review from Eurogamer, with Matt writing: “Supermassive’s decision to play it safe means too many familiar frustrations, but impressive artistry – and a mid-game uptick – makes for a grimly compelling adventure all the same.”

The franchise also saw Little Nightmares II: Enhanced Edition arrive on Nintendo Switch 2. Enhanced versions for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC launched in 2021, but this is the first time Nintendo users can play the improved sequel. The Enhanced Edition is only available as a standalone purchase on Nintendo Switch 2 for £24.99, with no discounted upgrades for prior owners on this platform.

• Little Nightmares II: Enhanced Edition price on Switch 2: £24.99
• Original 2021 enhanced releases: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S (free upgrades for prior owners on these platforms)
• Nintendo Switch 2 receives the Enhanced Edition as its only available version

Key Facts and Takeaways

• The Backstage is the first DLC for Little Nightmares III, delivering a new playable child (Dime), a major antagonist (The Puppeteer), and a new area (The Carnevale).
• The DLC is available now through the Secrets of the Spiral Expansion Pass or as a single purchase, priced at £6.49 on console and £6.99 on Steam.
• The series’ success and momentum continue, as also reflected in the newly released Enhanced Edition of Little Nightmares II for Nintendo Switch 2 at £24.99.

With The Backstage, Supermassive Games expands the Little Nightmares universe, offering new challenges, environments, and story threads for series fans and newcomers alike. The addition of Dime, the torch mechanic, and The Puppeteer as Resident promises to deepen the franchise’s signature blend of suspense and puzzle platforming.