I still remember the chills when the Brawl Stars universe collided with the eerie world of Stranger Things. It was November 2025, and from the 6th to the 6th of December, Supercell unleashed a crossover event that felt like stepping through a portal into the Upside Down. As a longtime Brawler, I was thrilled to see Hawkins' mystique invade our cheerful arenas. The event brought not just skins, but a whole new rogue-lite mode called Upside Down Showdown, a waffle currency, and power cards that turned each match into a strategic puzzle. Let me take you through my personal experience—the highs, the grinds, and the Demogorgon-sized fun.

The Upside Down Showdown: A Rogue-Lite Twist

The heart of the event was the Upside Down Showdown, a solo battle royale with a rogue-lite twist. Each run was divided into stages, and at the start of every stage, I had to pick one of three power cards. These cards ranged from offensive boosts like faster Super charge to defensive perks like extra health. The choices felt meaningful, and by the end of a run, I could review my build and see if my strategy paid off. Winning Stage 1 was just the beginning—the further I went, the tougher the enemies and the sweeter the rewards. The mode injected a fresh adrenaline rush into the usual showdown formula, and I found myself replaying it just to test different card combinations.

Waffles: The Currency of the Upside Down

Waffles, Eleven's favorite food, became the event's special currency. I needed them to unlock card decks for my brawlers and to purchase card packs from the event shop. Earning waffles was a delightful grind. Here's how I stocked up:

Source	How I Earned Waffles
Upside Down Showdown	Winning matches and progressing stages
Boss Fights	Teaming up to defeat Stranger Things bosses
Event Quests	Completing daily and mega quests
Daily Wins	Winning at least one match each day
Free Shop Offers	Claiming daily free waffles

I made sure to log in every day for those free waffles—they added up quickly. The mega quests were especially generous, and I loved the thrill of seeing a pile of waffles as a reward.

Power Cards and Card Decks

To play a brawler in Upside Down Showdown, I first had to unlock their card deck. This cost waffles, so I prioritized my favorite characters. Each deck came with its own set of power cards, and choosing the right ones was key. For example, 8-Bit's deck offered cards that boosted his damage and survivability, turning him into a tiny tank. I spent hours experimenting with different builds, and the flexibility kept me engaged. The card system added a layer of depth that I didn't expect from a mobile game.

Boss Fights: Team Up Against Demogorgons

The event also brought back boss fights, but with a Hawkins twist. I teamed up with other players to take down creatures from the Stranger Things universe—Demogorgons, Mind Flayers, and other nightmares. The formula was similar to previous boss fights like Brawl-O-Ween 2025, but the new bosses required different tactics. Coordinating with random teammates was chaotic but rewarding, and the shared loot made every victory feel like a group triumph.

Skins and Brawl Pass: Eleven Lumi and More

The Stranger Things Brawl Pass season was a treasure trove of cosmetics. The main reward was the Eleven skin for Lumi, which perfectly captured the character's iconic look. For Brawl Pass Plus owners, there were two chroma variants: Retro Eleven Lumi and Thrilled Eleven Lumi. I grinded the pass just to get my hands on them.

Other Stranger Things characters also joined as brawler skins. I unlocked Dustin Nita for free after collecting 60 card decks—a grind, but worth it. The rest could drop from card packs, which I purchased with waffles. The shop also offered some skins for Gems, but I preferred earning them through gameplay.

The World Finals and Beyond

November 2025 was also special because the Brawl Stars World Finals kicked off on November 28. The event brought exciting announcements about the next brawler and upcoming seasons. Even though the Stranger Things event ended on December 6, the hype carried over into the esports scene. I watched the finals with my friends, still buzzing from the crossover.

Final Thoughts

The Stranger Things event was a breath of fresh air for Brawl Stars. The Upside Down Showdown mode felt like a mini-roguelike, and the waffle economy kept me coming back daily. The skins were a love letter to fans of the show, and the boss fights added a cooperative challenge. As I look back in 2026, I can say it was one of the most memorable collaborations in the game's history. If you missed it, I hope my story gives you a taste of the Upside Down—and maybe, just maybe, it'll return someday. Until then, keep brawling, and don't forget your waffles. 🧇