Fortnite Finally Adds Customizable Pets—Meet Peels, the Banana Dog and More

Fortnite is about to unleash a new wave of cosmetics with the arrival of Sidekicks: personal pets you can bring into battle. These aren’t just vanity items; they dance, react, and even wear accessories. And yes, the very first is a banana puppy named Peels who’s ready to join you in-game this November. With Sidekicks, Epic Games is proving there’s always a new way to customise your Fortnite experience, and always another reason to drop some V-Bucks.

Meet Peels, and the Growing Sidekick Squad

Peels, the small yellow banana dog, leads the pack as the inaugural Sidekick. If you want him, he’s up for grabs in the next battle pass starting November 1st. Think of him as your dancing, snack-colored companion who’s built for the spotlight. This isn’t just a single gimmick; Epic already has a bunch of other critters lined up for release through the in-game shop later in November.

The line-up promised so far includes Bonesy, Spike, and Lil-Raptor. Whether you dig dogs, dinosaurs, or something funkier, there’s a Sidekick for you. And Epic isn’t stopping at canines or reptiles; fans can expect a cat-themed Sidekick in the near future, which means that Fortnite’s virtual pet roster is just getting started.

These pets are more than just a status symbol. According to Epic, you’ll be able to customise your Sidekicks with different accessories, making them feel like a true companion rather than just a cosmetic add-on. As you unlock or purchase new Sidekicks, your Fortnite squad will never look the same twice.

How Sidekicks Work, and What You Actually Get

Here’s the deal: Sidekicks don’t give you any performance boost. They’re 100% about style, fun, and a little bit of flex in the lobby. Where things get interesting is in the interaction. Epic is rolling out a set of Sidekick emotes, letting you trigger adorable animations with your furry (or fruity) friend on command. The pets can also “react to the world around you”, though Epic is keeping those details under wraps for now.

One of the more unusual mechanics here: you’re only able to customise a Sidekick once after you get them, as per Epic’s official help site. Choose wisely, because after that, your look is locked in. But if you’re indecisive or just want to flex with a full stable, you can purchase the same Sidekick multiple times, each with a unique customisation. For example, you could own a red Lil-Raptor and a green Lil-Raptor, but you can’t have two green ones.

This system means if you want every colour and accessory combination out there, your collection (and your spending) could get out of hand quickly. For the collectors, completionists, or people who need the cutest banana dog possible, it’s both a blessing and a temptation.

If you’re hungry for firsthand details, Epic has dropped a new Sidekicks tutorial video on YouTube. It’s a fast way to get up to speed if you want to see the pets in action without waiting for the update to hit.

There’s no strategic advantage to these new Sidekicks; they’re pure, delightful fluff. But really, who hasn’t wanted a tiny dancing puppy to tag along as you out-build your rivals? Epic knows what it’s doing: these Sidekicks are a clever, endearing way to spice up Fortnite and get players spending just a bit more time and money on their custom avatars.