diff --git a/src/components/GameBoard.svelte b/src/components/GameBoard.svelte
index 3e7c3c7..be70313 100644
--- a/src/components/GameBoard.svelte
+++ b/src/components/GameBoard.svelte
@@ -1,4 +1,13 @@
 <script>
+    import Pixel from '../lib/pixel/Pixel.svelte';
+    import {
+        TILE_EMPTY, TILE_EMPTY_PAL,
+        TILE_WALL, TILE_WALL_PAL,
+        TILE_GOAL, TILE_GOAL_PAL,
+        TILE_LIT, TILE_LIT_PAL,
+        TILE_PREVIEW, TILE_PREVIEW_PAL,
+    } from '../lib/pixel/art-tiles.js';
+
     let { cells = [], rows = 6, cols = 6, cellSize = 50, previewCells = new Set(),
           detectedCell = null, oncellclick } = $props();
 
@@ -13,6 +22,14 @@
     function isDetected(cell) {
         return detectedCell && detectedCell.row === cell.row && detectedCell.col === cell.col;
     }
+
+    // Resolve the tile art/palette for a cell. Priority: lit > goal > wall > empty.
+    function tileFor(cell) {
+        if (cell.isLight) return { art: TILE_LIT, pal: TILE_LIT_PAL };
+        if (cell.isGoal) return { art: TILE_GOAL, pal: TILE_GOAL_PAL };
+        if (cell.isWall) return { art: TILE_WALL, pal: TILE_WALL_PAL };
+        return { art: TILE_EMPTY, pal: TILE_EMPTY_PAL };
+    }
 </script>
 
 <div
@@ -22,18 +39,25 @@
     style="grid-template-columns: repeat({cols}, {cellSize}px); grid-template-rows: repeat({rows}, {cellSize}px);"
 >
     {#each cells as cell (cell.row * cols + cell.col)}
+        {@const tile = tileFor(cell)}
         <!-- svelte-ignore a11y_click_events_have_key_events a11y_no_static_element_interactions a11y_interactive_supports_focus -->
         <div
+            tabindex="-1"
             class="cell"
             class:wall={cell.isWall}
-            class:goal={cell.isGoal}
-            class:lit={cell.isLight}
             class:preview={previewCells.has(`${cell.row},${cell.col}`) && !cell.isLight}
             class:detected-flash={isDetected(cell)}
             role="gridcell"
             aria-label={cellLabel(cell)}
             onclick={() => oncellclick?.(cell.row, cell.col)}
-        ></div>
+        >
+            <Pixel art={tile.art} palette={tile.pal} width={cellSize} height={cellSize} />
+            {#if previewCells.has(`${cell.row},${cell.col}`) && !cell.isLight}
+                <div class="preview-overlay">
+                    <Pixel art={TILE_PREVIEW} palette={TILE_PREVIEW_PAL} width={cellSize} height={cellSize} />
+                </div>
+            {/if}
+        </div>
     {/each}
 </div>
 
@@ -44,22 +68,23 @@
         position: relative;
     }
     .cell {
+        position: relative;
         width: 100%;
         height: 100%;
-        background: var(--grid-empty);
-        border: 1px solid var(--grid-border);
         cursor: pointer;
-        transition: background 0.2s ease;
     }
-    .cell.wall { background: var(--grid-wall); cursor: default; }
-    .cell.goal { background: var(--grid-goal); }
-    .cell.lit { background: var(--grid-lit); }
-    .cell.preview { background: rgba(255, 234, 0, 0.15); border-color: rgba(255, 234, 0, 0.3); }
+    .cell.wall { cursor: default; }
+    .preview-overlay {
+        position: absolute;
+        inset: 0;
+        pointer-events: none;
+        opacity: 0.7;
+    }
     .cell.detected-flash {
         animation: cell-flash 0.4s ease-out;
     }
     @keyframes cell-flash {
-        0% { background: #ff0000; }
-        100% { background: var(--grid-lit); }
+        0% { filter: brightness(2) hue-rotate(-60deg); }
+        100% { filter: none; }
     }
 </style>
diff --git a/src/components/GameHud.svelte b/src/components/GameHud.svelte
index 0fc602c..79057c8 100644
--- a/src/components/GameHud.svelte
+++ b/src/components/GameHud.svelte
@@ -2,6 +2,9 @@
     import { getText } from '../lib/localization.js';
     import { isMuted, setMuted, playClick } from '../lib/audio.js';
     import Button from './Button.svelte';
+    import Pixel from '../lib/pixel/Pixel.svelte';
+    import { HEART_ART, HEART_ART_EMPTY, HEART_PAL,
+             ICON_UNDO, ICON_EYE, ICON_PAUSE, ICON_PAL } from '../lib/pixel/art-ui.js';
     let { lives = 3, level = 1, turns = 0, showPreview = false, canUndo = false,
           ontogglepreview, onpause, onmenu, onundo, onshowcontrols } = $props();
     let muted = $state(isMuted());
@@ -11,20 +14,33 @@
         setMuted(muted);
         if (!muted) playClick();
     }
+
+    const MAX_LIVES = 3;
+    let hearts = $derived(Array.from({ length: MAX_LIVES }, (_, i) => i < lives));
 </script>
 
 <div class="hud">
     <div class="hud-left">
-        <span>{getText('lives')}{lives}</span>
+        <div class="lives" aria-label="{getText('lives')}{lives}">
+            {#each hearts as full}
+                <Pixel art={full ? HEART_ART : HEART_ART_EMPTY} palette={HEART_PAL} width={20} height={20} />
+            {/each}
+        </div>
         <span class="turns">Turns: {turns}</span>
     </div>
     <div class="hud-right">
-        <span>{getText('level')}{level}</span>
-        <Button text={canUndo ? 'Z' : '-'} onclick={onundo} small disabled={!canUndo} />
+        <span class="level-label">{getText('level')}{level}</span>
+        <button class="icon-btn" onclick={onundo} disabled={!canUndo} aria-label="Undo">
+            <Pixel art={ICON_UNDO} palette={ICON_PAL} width={20} height={20} />
+        </button>
         <Button text={muted ? 'MUTE' : 'SND'} onclick={toggleMute} small />
-        <Button text={showPreview ? 'V:ON' : 'V:OFF'} onclick={ontogglepreview} small />
+        <button class="icon-btn" class:active={showPreview} onclick={ontogglepreview} aria-label="Toggle preview">
+            <Pixel art={ICON_EYE} palette={ICON_PAL} width={20} height={20} />
+        </button>
         <Button text="?" onclick={onshowcontrols} small />
-        <Button text={getText('pause')} onclick={onpause} small />
+        <button class="icon-btn" onclick={onpause} aria-label={getText('pause')}>
+            <Pixel art={ICON_PAUSE} palette={ICON_PAL} width={20} height={20} />
+        </button>
         <Button text={getText('menu')} onclick={onmenu} small />
     </div>
 </div>
@@ -43,5 +59,25 @@
         align-items: center;
         gap: 12px;
     }
+    .lives {
+        display: flex;
+        gap: 2px;
+        align-items: center;
+    }
     .turns { color: var(--text-secondary); font: var(--font-small); }
+    .level-label { font: var(--font-ui); color: var(--text-primary); }
+    .icon-btn {
+        background: var(--btn-default);
+        border: 2px solid var(--btn-border);
+        border-radius: 4px;
+        padding: 4px;
+        cursor: pointer;
+        display: flex;
+        align-items: center;
+        justify-content: center;
+        transition: background 0.15s;
+    }
+    .icon-btn:hover:not(:disabled) { background: var(--btn-hover); }
+    .icon-btn:disabled { opacity: 0.4; cursor: default; }
+    .icon-btn.active { background: var(--btn-hover); border-color: var(--text-accent); }
 </style>
diff --git a/src/components/GuardSprite.svelte b/src/components/GuardSprite.svelte
index 4c5c0ec..867fbe1 100644
--- a/src/components/GuardSprite.svelte
+++ b/src/components/GuardSprite.svelte
@@ -1,10 +1,19 @@
 <script>
+    import Pixel from '../lib/pixel/Pixel.svelte';
+    import { GUARD_SPRITES } from '../lib/pixel/art-characters.js';
+
     let { guard, cellSize = 50 } = $props();
     let top = $derived(guard.row * cellSize + cellSize / 2);
     let left = $derived(guard.col * cellSize + cellSize / 2);
-    let size = $derived(Math.floor(cellSize / 2));
+    let size = $derived(Math.floor(cellSize * 0.95));
     let rotation = $derived(guard.direction * 90);
-    let hasDirection = $derived(guard.type === 'rotating' || guard.type === 'patrolling' || guard.type === 'chaser');
+    let hasDirection = $derived(
+        guard.type === 'rotating' || guard.type === 'patrolling' || guard.type === 'chaser'
+    );
+    let sprite = $derived(GUARD_SPRITES[guard.type]);
+    let activePal = $derived(
+        guard.type === 'blinking' && !guard.isOn ? sprite.palOff : sprite.pal
+    );
 </script>
 
 <div
@@ -13,6 +22,9 @@
     class:alert={guard.type === 'chaser' && guard.isChasing}
     style="top: {top}px; left: {left}px; width: {size}px; height: {size}px;"
 >
+    {#if sprite}
+        <Pixel art={sprite.art} palette={activePal} width={size} height={size} />
+    {/if}
     {#if hasDirection}
         <div class="direction-indicator" style="transform: rotate({rotation}deg);"></div>
     {/if}
@@ -21,28 +33,26 @@
 <style>
     .guard {
         position: absolute;
-        border-radius: 50%;
         transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
         transition: top 100ms linear, left 100ms linear;
         z-index: 5;
         pointer-events: none;
     }
-    .guard.static { background: var(--guard-static); }
-    .guard.rotating { background: var(--guard-rotating); }
-    .guard.blinking { background: var(--guard-blinking); }
-    .guard.blinking.off { background: var(--guard-blinking-off); }
-    .guard.patrolling { background: var(--guard-patrolling); }
-    .guard.chaser { background: var(--guard-chaser, #ff6622); }
-    .guard.chaser.alert { background: #ff2200; box-shadow: 0 0 8px #ff2200; }
-    .guard.mirror { background: var(--guard-mirror); border-radius: 4px; transform: translate(-50%, -50%) rotate(45deg); }
+    .guard.alert {
+        filter: drop-shadow(0 0 6px #ff2200);
+    }
+    .guard.off {
+        opacity: 0.85;
+    }
 
     .direction-indicator {
         position: absolute;
-        top: 0;
+        top: 6%;
         left: 50%;
-        width: 2px;
-        height: 50%;
-        background: white;
+        width: 3px;
+        height: 40%;
+        background: var(--cream, #fff4d6);
+        box-shadow: 0 0 3px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);
         transform-origin: bottom center;
         translate: -50% 0;
     }
diff --git a/src/components/PlayerSprite.svelte b/src/components/PlayerSprite.svelte
index 714226c..e09fdba 100644
--- a/src/components/PlayerSprite.svelte
+++ b/src/components/PlayerSprite.svelte
@@ -1,21 +1,23 @@
 <script>
+    import Pixel from '../lib/pixel/Pixel.svelte';
+    import { RABBIT_ART, RABBIT_PAL } from '../lib/pixel/art-characters.js';
     let { row = 0, col = 0, cellSize = 50, shake = false } = $props();
     let top = $derived(row * cellSize + cellSize / 2);
     let left = $derived(col * cellSize + cellSize / 2);
-    let size = $derived(Math.floor(cellSize / 1.5));
+    let size = $derived(Math.floor(cellSize * 0.9));
 </script>
 
 <div
     class="player"
     class:shake
     style="top: {top}px; left: {left}px; width: {size}px; height: {size}px;"
-></div>
+>
+    <Pixel art={RABBIT_ART} palette={RABBIT_PAL} width={size} height={size} />
+</div>
 
 <style>
     .player {
         position: absolute;
-        background: var(--player-color);
-        border-radius: 50%;
         transform: translate(-50%, -50%);
         transition: top 100ms linear, left 100ms linear;
         z-index: 10;
diff --git a/src/components/controls-overlay.svelte b/src/components/controls-overlay.svelte
index 730f4cb..c6d7573 100644
--- a/src/components/controls-overlay.svelte
+++ b/src/components/controls-overlay.svelte
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@
     import { fade } from 'svelte/transition';
     import { getText } from '../lib/localization.js';
     import Button from './Button.svelte';
+    import Pixel from '../lib/pixel/Pixel.svelte';
+    import { ICON_UNDO, ICON_REDO, ICON_EYE, ICON_ARROW, ICON_PAL } from '../lib/pixel/art-ui.js';
     let { onclose } = $props();
 </script>
 
@@ -9,11 +11,25 @@
     <div class="popup">
         <h2>{getText('controlsTitle')}</h2>
         <div class="controls-list">
-            <div class="control-row"><kbd>Arrow Keys</kbd><span>/ WASD — {getText('controlMove')}</span></div>
-            <div class="control-row"><kbd>Space</kbd><span>— {getText('controlWait')}</span></div>
-            <div class="control-row"><kbd>V</kbd><span>— {getText('controlPreview')}</span></div>
-            <div class="control-row"><kbd>Z</kbd><span>— {getText('controlUndo')}</span></div>
-            <div class="control-row"><kbd>Y</kbd><span>— {getText('controlRedo')}</span></div>
+            <div class="control-row">
+                <span class="icon"><Pixel art={ICON_ARROW} palette={ICON_PAL} width={20} height={20} /></span>
+                <kbd>Arrow Keys</kbd><span>/ WASD — {getText('controlMove')}</span>
+            </div>
+            <div class="control-row">
+                <kbd>Space</kbd><span>— {getText('controlWait')}</span>
+            </div>
+            <div class="control-row">
+                <span class="icon"><Pixel art={ICON_EYE} palette={ICON_PAL} width={20} height={20} /></span>
+                <kbd>V</kbd><span>— {getText('controlPreview')}</span>
+            </div>
+            <div class="control-row">
+                <span class="icon"><Pixel art={ICON_UNDO} palette={ICON_PAL} width={20} height={20} /></span>
+                <kbd>Z</kbd><span>— {getText('controlUndo')}</span>
+            </div>
+            <div class="control-row">
+                <span class="icon"><Pixel art={ICON_REDO} palette={ICON_PAL} width={20} height={20} /></span>
+                <kbd>Y</kbd><span>— {getText('controlRedo')}</span>
+            </div>
             <div class="control-row"><kbd>Click</kbd><span>/ Tap — {getText('controlTap')}</span></div>
             <div class="control-row"><kbd>Swipe</kbd><span>— {getText('controlSwipe')}</span></div>
         </div>
@@ -40,7 +56,7 @@
         background: var(--bg-panel);
         padding: 24px 32px;
         border-radius: 8px;
-        max-width: 360px;
+        max-width: 400px;
     }
     h2 {
         font: var(--font-heading);
@@ -60,6 +76,11 @@
         font: var(--font-small);
         color: var(--text-secondary);
     }
+    .icon {
+        display: inline-flex;
+        width: 24px;
+        justify-content: center;
+    }
     kbd {
         background: var(--btn-default);
         border: 1px solid var(--btn-border);
diff --git a/src/lib/pixel/Pixel.svelte b/src/lib/pixel/Pixel.svelte
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..de5194d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/pixel/Pixel.svelte
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+<script>
+    // Pixel-art renderer — strings+palette → SVG <rect>s with run-length merge.
+    // `art`: array of equal-length strings. `palette`: { [char]: hexColor }. '.' / ' ' = transparent.
+    let { art, palette, scale = 6, bg = null, width = null, height = null, pixelated = true, style = '' } = $props();
+
+    let rows = $derived(art?.length ?? 0);
+    let cols = $derived(art?.[0]?.length ?? 0);
+
+    let rects = $derived.by(() => {
+        if (!art || !palette) return [];
+        const out = [];
+        for (let r = 0; r < rows; r++) {
+            let c = 0;
+            const row = art[r];
+            while (c < cols) {
+                const ch = row[c];
+                if (ch === '.' || ch === ' ') { c++; continue; }
+                let run = 1;
+                while (c + run < cols && row[c + run] === ch) run++;
+                const color = palette[ch];
+                if (color) out.push({ x: c, y: r, w: run, color });
+                c += run;
+            }
+        }
+        return out;
+    });
+
+    let w = $derived(width ?? cols * scale);
+    let h = $derived(height ?? rows * scale);
+</script>
+
+<svg
+    width={w}
+    height={h}
+    viewBox="0 0 {cols} {rows}"
+    shape-rendering="crispEdges"
+    style="display:block; image-rendering: {pixelated ? 'pixelated' : 'auto'}; {style}"
+    preserveAspectRatio="none"
+>
+    {#if bg}<rect x="0" y="0" width={cols} height={rows} fill={bg} />{/if}
+    {#each rects as r}
+        <rect x={r.x} y={r.y} width={r.w} height="1" fill={r.color} />
+    {/each}
+</svg>
diff --git a/src/lib/pixel/art-characters.js b/src/lib/pixel/art-characters.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e6188df
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/pixel/art-characters.js
@@ -0,0 +1,330 @@
+// 32×32 pixel-art sprites for player, guards (veggies), and princess.
+// Primary colors mirror theme.css guard colors for gameplay readability.
+import { NNTV } from './palette.js';
+
+export const RABBIT_ART = [
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '.......KK........KKKK...........',
+    '......KFFK......KFFFFK..........',
+    '......KFFK......KFFFFK..........',
+    '......KFCK......KFFCFK..........',
+    '......KFCK......KFFCFK..........',
+    '.......KFK......KFFFK...........',
+    '.......KKKKKKKKKFFFFK...........',
+    '......KFFFFFFFFFFFFFFK..........',
+    '.....KFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFK.........',
+    '....KFSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSFK........',
+    '...KFSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSFK.......',
+    '...KFSKKKKSSSSSSSSKKKKSFK.......',
+    '...KFSKWWKSSSSSSSSKWWKSFK.......',
+    '...KFSKWEKSSSSSSSSKWEKSFK.......',
+    '...KFSKKKKSSSSSSSSKKKKSFK.......',
+    '...KFSSSSSSSKRRKSSSSSSSFK.......',
+    '...KFSSSSSSKRRRRKSSSSSSFK.......',
+    '....KFSSSSSSSRRSSSSSSSFK........',
+    '.....KFSSSSSSSSSSSSSSFK.........',
+    '......KFFSSSSSSSSSSFFK..........',
+    '.......KKFFSSSSSSFFKK...........',
+    '.........KFKKKKKKFK.............',
+    '.........KFK....KFK.............',
+    '........KFFK....KFFK............',
+    '.......KFMMK....KMMFK...........',
+    '.......KMMMK....KMMMK...........',
+    '........KKK......KKK............',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+];
+export const RABBIT_PAL = {
+    K: NNTV.ink, F: NNTV.furLight, C: NNTV.furMid,
+    S: NNTV.cloth, W: NNTV.eyeShine, E: NNTV.ink,
+    R: NNTV.scarfRed, M: NNTV.furMid,
+};
+
+export const TOMATO_ART = [
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '..............GGG...............',
+    '.............GLLLG..............',
+    '............GLDDLG..............',
+    '...........GLDLLDLG.............',
+    '..........GGLLLLLLGG............',
+    '.........KKKKKKKKKKKK...........',
+    '.......KKRRRRRRRRRRRRKK.........',
+    '......KRRHHHHRRRRHHHHRRK........',
+    '.....KRHHHHHHRRRRHHHHHRRK.......',
+    '....KRRHWWHHRRRRRRHWWHRRRK......',
+    '....KRRHWWHHRRRRRRHWWHRRRK......',
+    '...KRRRHHHHRRRRRRRRHHHHRRRK.....',
+    '...KRRRRRRRRRRRDDRRRRRRRRRRK....',
+    '...KRRRRRRRRRRDDDDRRRRRRRRRK....',
+    '...KRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRK....',
+    '...KRRRRHHRRRRRRRRRRRRHHRRRK....',
+    '....KRRRHHHRRRRRRRRRRHHHRRK.....',
+    '....KRRRRHHHHRRRRRRHHHHRRRK.....',
+    '.....KRRRRRHHHHHHHHHHRRRRRK.....',
+    '......KRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRK......',
+    '.......KKRRRRRRRRRRRRRRKK.......',
+    '.........KKRRRRRRRRRRKK.........',
+    '...........KKKKKKKKKK...........',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+];
+export const TOMATO_PAL = {
+    K: NNTV.ink, R: NNTV.tomatoRed, H: NNTV.tomatoDark,
+    W: NNTV.eyeShine, D: NNTV.cream, G: NNTV.leafGreen, L: NNTV.leafDark,
+};
+
+export const BLUEBERRY_ART = [
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '..............GGG...............',
+    '.............GGSG...............',
+    '..............GGG...............',
+    '.........KKKKKKKKKKKK...........',
+    '.......KKBBBBBBBBBBBBKK.........',
+    '......KBBBLLLBBBBLLLBBBK........',
+    '.....KBBLLLLBBBBBBLLLLBBK.......',
+    '....KBBBLLLLBBBBBBBLLLLBBBK.....',
+    '....KBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBK.....',
+    '....KBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBK.....',
+    '...KBBBBHHHBBBBBBBBBHHHBBBBK....',
+    '...KBBBHWWHBBBBBBBBHWWHBBBBK....',
+    '...KBBBHWWHBBBBBBBBHWWHBBBBK....',
+    '...KBBBBHHHBBBBBBBBBHHHBBBBK....',
+    '...KBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBK....',
+    '...KBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBK....',
+    '...KBBBBBBBBBBNNNBBBBBBBBBBK....',
+    '....KBBBBBBBBBNNNBBBBBBBBBK.....',
+    '....KBBBBBBBBBBNBBBBBBBBBBK.....',
+    '....KBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBK.....',
+    '.....KBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBK......',
+    '......KBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBK.......',
+    '.......KKBBBBBBBBBBBBBKK........',
+    '.........KKBBBBBBBBBKK..........',
+    '...........KKKKKKKKK............',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+];
+export const BLUEBERRY_PAL = {
+    K: NNTV.ink, B: NNTV.guardRotating, L: NNTV.cream,
+    H: NNTV.blueberryDark, W: NNTV.eyeShine, N: NNTV.cream,
+    G: NNTV.leafGreen, S: NNTV.leafDark,
+};
+
+export const CORN_ART = [
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '...........GGG....GGG...........',
+    '..........GHHHG..GHHHG..........',
+    '..........GHHHGGGHHHG...........',
+    '...........GHHHGHHHG............',
+    '............KGGKGGK.............',
+    '..........KKCCCCCCCCKK..........',
+    '........KKCCYCCYCCYCCKK.........',
+    '........KCYYCCYCCYYCCYCK........',
+    '.......KCCYYCCYCCYYCCYCCK.......',
+    '.......KCYYYYCCYCCYYYYYCK.......',
+    '.......KCCHHCCYYCCCHHCCCCK......',
+    '.......KCHWWHCCYCCHWWHCCCK......',
+    '.......KCHWWHCCYCCHWWHCCCK......',
+    '.......KCCHHCCYCCCHHCCCCCK......',
+    '.......KCYYYYCCYCCYYYYCCCK......',
+    '.......KCCYYCCYCCCCYCCYCCK......',
+    '.......KCYYYCYYCYCYYCCYYCK......',
+    '.......KCCYCCYCCCYCCYYYCCK......',
+    '........KCYYYNNNNCYYYCCCK.......',
+    '........KCCYCNNNNCCYCCYCK.......',
+    '........KCYYCCNNCCCYCYYCK.......',
+    '........KCCYYCCCCYYYCCCCK.......',
+    '.........KCCYYYYYCYYYCCK........',
+    '.........KKCCCCCCCCCCCKK........',
+    '...........KKCCCCCCCKK..........',
+    '.............KKKKKKKK...........',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+];
+export const CORN_PAL = {
+    K: NNTV.ink, C: NNTV.guardBlinking, Y: NNTV.cornDark,
+    H: NNTV.cornDark, W: NNTV.eyeShine, N: NNTV.ink, G: NNTV.cornHusk,
+};
+export const CORN_OFF_PAL = { ...CORN_PAL, C: NNTV.guardBlinkingOff, Y: '#5a4410' };
+
+export const EGGPLANT_ART = [
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '..............GG................',
+    '.............GLLG...............',
+    '............GLLLG...............',
+    '...........GLLLLG...............',
+    '...........KLLLLK...............',
+    '..........KKKLLKKK..............',
+    '.........KKPPPPPPKK.............',
+    '........KPPHHPPPPPPK............',
+    '.......KPPPHPPPPPHPPK...........',
+    '......KPPPPPPPPPPPPPPK..........',
+    '......KPPPPPPPPPPPPPPK..........',
+    '.....KPPHHPPPPPPPPHHPPK.........',
+    '.....KPHWWHPPPPPPHWWHPK.........',
+    '.....KPHWWHPPPPPPHWWHPK.........',
+    '.....KPPHHPPPPPPPPHHPPK.........',
+    '.....KPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPK.........',
+    '.....KPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPK.........',
+    '......KPPPPPPNNNNPPPPK..........',
+    '......KPPPPPPNNNNPPPPK..........',
+    '......KPPPPPPPPPPPPPPK..........',
+    '.......KPPPPPPPPPPPPK...........',
+    '.......KPPPPPPPPPPPPK...........',
+    '........KPPPPPPPPPPK............',
+    '........KKPPPPPPPPKK............',
+    '.........KKPPPPPPKK.............',
+    '..........KKPPPPKK..............',
+    '...........KKKKKK...............',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+];
+export const EGGPLANT_PAL = {
+    K: NNTV.ink, P: NNTV.guardPatrolling, H: NNTV.eggplantDark,
+    W: NNTV.eyeShine, N: NNTV.cream, G: NNTV.leafGreen, L: NNTV.leafDark,
+};
+
+export const LETTUCE_ART = [
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '..............KKK...............',
+    '............KKMMMKK.............',
+    '..........KKMMMMMMMKK...........',
+    '.........KMMMMLLLMMMMK..........',
+    '........KMMLLLLLLLLMMMK.........',
+    '.......KMMLLLLLLLLLLLMMK........',
+    '......KMMLLLMMMMMMMLLLMMK.......',
+    '.....KMMLLMMLLLLLLLMMLLMMK......',
+    '....KMMLLMLLLLLLLLLLLMLLMMK.....',
+    '....KMMLMLLLHHLLLLHHLLMLMMK.....',
+    '...KMMLLMLHWWHLLHWWHLMLLMMK.....',
+    '...KMLLMMLHWWHLLHWWHLMMLLMK.....',
+    '...KMLLMMLLHHLLLLHHLLMMLLMK.....',
+    '....KMMLMLLLLLLLLLLLLMLMMK......',
+    '....KMMLLMLLLNNNNNLLLMLLMMK.....',
+    '.....KMMLLMLLNNNNNLLMLLMMK......',
+    '......KMMLLMMLLLLLMMLLMMK.......',
+    '.......KMMLLLMMMMMMMLLMMK.......',
+    '........KMMLLLLLLLLLLMMK........',
+    '.........KMMLLLLLLLLMMK.........',
+    '..........KKMMMMMMMMKK..........',
+    '............KKMMMMKK............',
+    '..............KKKK..............',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+];
+export const LETTUCE_PAL = {
+    K: NNTV.ink, L: NNTV.guardMirror, M: NNTV.lettuceDark,
+    H: NNTV.lettuceDark, W: NNTV.eyeShine, N: NNTV.cream,
+};
+
+export const PUMPKIN_ART = [
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '..............SS................',
+    '.............SSSS...............',
+    '.............SSSS...............',
+    '...........GGGSSGGG.............',
+    '...........KGGSSGGK.............',
+    '.........KKPPKKKKPPKK...........',
+    '........KPPOOPPPPOOPPK..........',
+    '.......KPPOOOPPPPOOOPPK.........',
+    '......KPPOOOPPPPPPOOOPPK........',
+    '.....KPOOOPPPPPPPPPPOOOPK.......',
+    '.....KPOOPPPPPPPPPPPPOOPK.......',
+    '....KPPOOPHHPPPPPPHHPPOOPPK.....',
+    '....KPOOPPHWHPPPPPHWHPPOOOPK....',
+    '....KPOOPPHWHPPPPPHWHPPOOOPK....',
+    '....KPOOPPPHHPPPPPPHHPPPOOPK....',
+    '....KPOOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPOOPK....',
+    '....KPOOPPPPKKPPPPKKPPPPOOPK....',
+    '....KPPOOPPKNNKPPKNNKPPPOOPK....',
+    '.....KPOOPKNNNNKKNNNNKPPOOPK....',
+    '.....KPPOOPKNNNNNNNNKPPOOPPK....',
+    '......KPOOOPKKNNNNKKPOOOPK......',
+    '.......KPOOOOPPPPPPOOOOPK.......',
+    '........KPPOOOOOOOOOOPPK........',
+    '.........KKPPOOOOOOPPKK.........',
+    '...........KKPPPPPPKK...........',
+    '.............KKKKKK.............',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+];
+export const PUMPKIN_PAL = {
+    K: NNTV.ink, P: NNTV.guardChaser, O: NNTV.pumpkinDark,
+    H: NNTV.eyeRed, W: NNTV.cream, N: NNTV.ink,
+    G: NNTV.leafGreen, S: NNTV.leafDark,
+};
+
+export const PRINCESS_ART = [
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '............SSSSS...............',
+    '...........SLLLLLS..............',
+    '..........SLLHLLLLS.............',
+    '..........SLLLHLLLS.............',
+    '.........SSLLLLHLLSS............',
+    '........KKKGGGGGGGKK............',
+    '.......KYYYYCCCCCYYYK...........',
+    '......KYYCCCDCCDCCCYYK..........',
+    '......KYCCCCCDCDCCCCYK..........',
+    '......KYCCCCCCCCCCCCYK..........',
+    '......KYCCHHCCCCCHHCYK..........',
+    '......KYCHWWHCCCHWWHCK..........',
+    '......KYCHWEHCCCHWEHCK..........',
+    '......KYCCHHCCCCCHHCCK..........',
+    '......KYCCCCCCKKCCCCCK..........',
+    '......KYCCCCCKPPKCCCCK..........',
+    '......KYCCCCCKKKKCCCCK..........',
+    '......KYCCCCCCCCCCCCCK..........',
+    '.......KYCCCCCCCCCCCK...........',
+    '........KYCCCCCCCCCK............',
+    '.........KYCCCCCCCK.............',
+    '..........KYCCCCCK..............',
+    '...........KYCCCK...............',
+    '............KYCK................',
+    '.............KK.................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+    '................................',
+];
+export const PRINCESS_PAL = {
+    K: NNTV.ink, C: NNTV.carrot, D: NNTV.cream, H: NNTV.carrotDark,
+    W: NNTV.eyeShine, E: NNTV.ink, P: NNTV.scarfRed,
+    Y: NNTV.carrotDark, L: NNTV.leafGreen, S: NNTV.leafDark, G: NNTV.gold,
+};
+
+// Map game guard types → sprite data. Blinking uses on/off variants.
+export const GUARD_SPRITES = {
+    static: { art: TOMATO_ART, pal: TOMATO_PAL },
+    rotating: { art: BLUEBERRY_ART, pal: BLUEBERRY_PAL },
+    blinking: { art: CORN_ART, pal: CORN_PAL, palOff: CORN_OFF_PAL },
+    patrolling: { art: EGGPLANT_ART, pal: EGGPLANT_PAL },
+    mirror: { art: LETTUCE_ART, pal: LETTUCE_PAL },
+    chaser: { art: PUMPKIN_ART, pal: PUMPKIN_PAL },
+};
diff --git a/src/lib/pixel/art-scenes.js b/src/lib/pixel/art-scenes.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..94a3f9e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/pixel/art-scenes.js
@@ -0,0 +1,214 @@
+// 80×N pixel-art backdrops for each act (Levels 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8, 9-11, 12).
+import { NNTV } from './palette.js';
+
+// Normalize helper — ensure every row is exactly 80 chars.
+const norm = (rows) => rows.map(r => (r.length >= 80 ? r.slice(0, 80) : r.padEnd(80, r.at(-1) || '.')));
+
+// ── ACT 1: GARDEN ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+export const BG_GARDEN = norm([
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm........smmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....OOOOO....smmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..s..s...mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...OO..........OOmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..OO............OOmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..O..............Omm.s.mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..O..............Ommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..OO..........OOmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..OOOOOOOOOOOOmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm........smmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    '..LL......LL......LL......LL......LL......LL......LL......LL......LL......LL...',
+    '.LLLL....LLLL....LLLL....LLLL....LLLL....LLLL....LLLL....LLLL....LLLL....LLLL...',
+    '.LDDL....LDDL....LDDL....LDDL....LDDL....LDDL....LDDL....LDDL....LDDL....LDDL...',
+    'gggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg',
+    'GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG',
+    'dddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd',
+    'dddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd',
+    '...CC..........CC..........CC..........CC..........CC..........CC..........CC..',
+    '..CCCC........CCCC........CCCC........CCCC........CCCC........CCCC........CCCC.',
+    '..CCCC........CCCC........CCCC........CCCC........CCCC........CCCC........CCCC.',
+    '..CCCC........CCCC........CCCC........CCCC........CCCC........CCCC........CCCC.',
+    '..OOOO........OOOO........OOOO........OOOO........OOOO........OOOO........OOOO.',
+    '..OOOO........OOOO........OOOO........OOOO........OOOO........OOOO........OOOO.',
+    '..ooooo......ooooo........oooo........ooooo.......oooo.......ooooo........ooo..',
+    'dddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd',
+    'ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff',
+    'ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff',
+]);
+export const BG_GARDEN_PAL = {
+    m: NNTV.midnight, s: NNTV.moonlight, O: NNTV.cream, o: NNTV.moonGlow,
+    L: NNTV.leafDark, D: NNTV.mossGreen, g: NNTV.grass, G: NNTV.grassDark,
+    d: NNTV.dirt, C: NNTV.leafGreen, f: NNTV.dirtDark,
+};
+
+// ── ACT 2: GARDEN WALLS ────────────────────────────────────────────────
+export const BG_WALLS = norm([
+    'ppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp',
+    'ppppppppppppppppp..sppppppppppppppppppppppppps.ppppppppppppppppppp..spppppppppp',
+    'pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp',
+    'bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb',
+    'bBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBB',
+    'bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb',
+    'bbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbb',
+    'bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb',
+    'bBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBB',
+    'bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb',
+    'bbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbb',
+    'bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb',
+    'bBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBB',
+    'bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb',
+    'bbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbbBBBBbbb',
+    '..vvbbb.bbbvvbbbb..vvbb.bbbvv..bbbvvb..bbbbvvb..vvbbbb..vvbbbbb..vvbbbb..vvbbbbb',
+    'vvllvvvvbbbllvvvbbllvvbbbbllv..bllvvbbvvllvvbvvvllvbvvvvllvbvvvllvvbbvvllvvvbbbb',
+    'lllllvvvvvlllllvvvlllvvvvllll.lllllvllllllvllllllvllllllvllllllvlllllllvllllllv',
+    'gggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg',
+    'GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG',
+    'dddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd',
+    'ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff',
+]);
+export const BG_WALLS_PAL = {
+    p: NNTV.midnight, s: NNTV.cream, b: NNTV.brick, B: NNTV.brickDark,
+    v: NNTV.leafDark, l: NNTV.leafGreen, g: NNTV.grass, G: NNTV.grassDark,
+    d: NNTV.dirt, f: NNTV.dirtDark,
+};
+
+// ── ACT 3: FORTRESS ────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+export const BG_FORTRESS = norm([
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmsmmmmmmmmmmmsmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmsmmmmmmmmmmmmmmsmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss.....ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss',
+    's.....ss.....ss.....ss.....ss.....ss...ss.....ss...ss.....ss.....ss.....ss....ss',
+    's.....ss.....ss.....ss.....ss.....ss...ss.....ss...ss.....ss.....ss.....ss....ss',
+    'SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS',
+    'sSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSS',
+    'SssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSS',
+    'sSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSS',
+    'SssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSS',
+    'sSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSS',
+    'ssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSss',
+    'sSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSS',
+    'ssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSss',
+    'sSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSSsSSssSsSSssSSsSSssSsSS',
+    '..........ff..................................ff...........................ff..',
+    '.........fFFf................................fFFf.........................fFFf.',
+    '........fFFFFf..............................fFFFFf........................fFFFFf',
+    '.........ffff................................ffff..........................ffff',
+    '..........kk..................................kk...........................kk..',
+    'ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss',
+    'SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS',
+    'ddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd.',
+]);
+export const BG_FORTRESS_PAL = {
+    m: NNTV.midnight, s: NNTV.stone, S: NNTV.stoneDark,
+    f: NNTV.guardBlinking, F: NNTV.pumpkinOrange, k: NNTV.ink, d: NNTV.dirtDark,
+};
+
+// ── ACT 4: UNDERGROUND ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
+export const BG_UNDERGROUND = norm([
+    'dddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd',
+    'dDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDddd',
+    'dddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDd',
+    'dDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDddd',
+    'ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss',
+    'sSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSs',
+    'sSmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmSSs',
+    'sSmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmSSs',
+    'sSmmmmmmfmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmfmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmSSs',
+    'sSmmmmmFFmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmFFmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmSSs',
+    'sSmmmmmffmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmffmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmSSs',
+    'sSmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmSSs',
+    'sSmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmSSs',
+    'sSmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmSSs',
+    'sSmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmSSs',
+    'sSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSs',
+    'ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss',
+    'dddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd',
+    'dDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDddd',
+    'dddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDdddDDd',
+]);
+export const BG_UNDERGROUND_PAL = {
+    d: NNTV.dirt, D: NNTV.dirtDark, s: NNTV.stoneDark, S: NNTV.stoneDark,
+    m: NNTV.midnight, f: NNTV.guardBlinking, F: NNTV.pumpkinOrange,
+};
+
+// ── ACT 5: PALACE ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+export const BG_PALACE = norm([
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmsmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGmmm',
+    'mmGCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCGmm',
+    'mGC..........pp.......................pp.......................pp............CGm',
+    'mGC.........pPPp.....................pPPp.....................pPPp...........CGm',
+    'mGC........pPPPPp...................pPPPPp...................pPPPPp..........CGm',
+    'mGC........pPPPPp...................pPPPPp...................pPPPPp..........CGm',
+    'mGC........pPPPPp...................pPPPPp...................pPPPPp..........CGm',
+    'mGC........pPPPPp...................pPPPPp...................pPPPPp..........CGm',
+    'mGC........pPPPPp...................pPPPPp...................pPPPPp..........CGm',
+    'mGC........pPPPPp...................pPPPPp...................pPPPPp..........CGm',
+    'mGC........pPPPPp...................pPPPPp...................pPPPPp..........CGm',
+    'mGC........pPPPPp...................pPPPPp...................pPPPPp..........CGm',
+    'mGC........pPPPPp...................pPPPPp...................pPPPPp..........CGm',
+    'mGC........pPPPPp...................pPPPPp...................pPPPPp..........CGm',
+    'mGC........pPPPPp...................pPPPPp...................pPPPPp..........CGm',
+    'mGC........pPPPPp...................pPPPPp...................pPPPPp..........CGm',
+    'mGCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCGm',
+    'mmGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGmm.',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+]);
+export const BG_PALACE_PAL = {
+    m: NNTV.midnight, s: NNTV.cream, G: NNTV.gold, C: NNTV.goldDark,
+    p: NNTV.moonlight, P: NNTV.silver,
+};
+
+// ── ACT 6: CHAMBER ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+export const BG_CHAMBER = norm([
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmyyyyymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmyyyYYYyymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmyyyYYYYYYymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmyyyyYYYCCYYYymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmyyyyYYYYCCCCYYYyymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmyyyyYYYYYYCCCCCYYYyymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmyyyyYYYYYYYYCCCCCYYYYyymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmyyyyYYYYYYYYYYCCCCYYYYYyymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmyyyyYYYYYYYYYYYYCCCCYYYYYYyymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmyyyyyYYYYYYYYYYYYYCCYYYYYYYYyyymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmyyyyYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYCCYYYYYYYYYYyymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmyyyyyYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYyymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmmyyyyyYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYyyymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmmmyyyyYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYyymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmmyyyyYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYyymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmmmyyyyYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmmyyyyyYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYyymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmmyyyyYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYyymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmmyyyyYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmmyyyyYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+    'mmmyyyYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYymmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm',
+]);
+export const BG_CHAMBER_PAL = {
+    m: NNTV.shadow, y: NNTV.guardBlinkingOff, Y: NNTV.gridLit, C: NNTV.carrot,
+};
+
+// Map level (1-indexed) → act scene data. Keeps UI code simple.
+export const SCENE_BY_LEVEL = [
+    // 1-2 garden, 3-4 walls, 5-6 fortress, 7-8 underground, 9-11 palace, 12 chamber
+    BG_GARDEN, BG_GARDEN, BG_WALLS, BG_WALLS, BG_FORTRESS, BG_FORTRESS,
+    BG_UNDERGROUND, BG_UNDERGROUND, BG_PALACE, BG_PALACE, BG_PALACE, BG_CHAMBER,
+];
+export const SCENE_PAL_BY_LEVEL = [
+    BG_GARDEN_PAL, BG_GARDEN_PAL, BG_WALLS_PAL, BG_WALLS_PAL,
+    BG_FORTRESS_PAL, BG_FORTRESS_PAL, BG_UNDERGROUND_PAL, BG_UNDERGROUND_PAL,
+    BG_PALACE_PAL, BG_PALACE_PAL, BG_PALACE_PAL, BG_CHAMBER_PAL,
+];
+
+export function sceneForLevel(level) {
+    const idx = Math.max(0, Math.min(SCENE_BY_LEVEL.length - 1, level - 1));
+    return { art: SCENE_BY_LEVEL[idx], pal: SCENE_PAL_BY_LEVEL[idx] };
+}
diff --git a/src/lib/pixel/art-tiles.js b/src/lib/pixel/art-tiles.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9fe1db0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/pixel/art-tiles.js
@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+// 16×16 pixel-art tiles for the game board.
+import { NNTV } from './palette.js';
+
+export const TILE_EMPTY = [
+    'aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa',
+    'abbbbbbbbbbbbbba',
+    'abccccccccccccba',
+    'abcccccccccccccb',
+    'abcccdddccccdccb',
+    'abccdcccccccccbb',
+    'abcccccccccccccb',
+    'abcccccccccddcbb',
+    'abccdddcccccccbb',
+    'abccccccccccccbb',
+    'abccccdcccccccbb',
+    'abcccccccccccccb',
+    'abccccccccdccccb',
+    'abbbbbbbbbbbbbbb',
+    'aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa',
+    'aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa',
+];
+export const TILE_EMPTY_PAL = { a: NNTV.gridBorder, b: NNTV.twilight, c: NNTV.gridEmpty, d: NNTV.dusk };
+
+export const TILE_WALL = [
+    'kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk',
+    'kssssssstsssssrk',
+    'ksllllllstlllsrk',
+    'kslmmmmlstlmmsrk',
+    'ksllllllstlllsrk',
+    'ksssssssstssssrk',
+    'ktttttttttttttrk',
+    'kssssstsssssssrk',
+    'kslmmstlmmmlssrk',
+    'kslllstllllllsrk',
+    'kssssstsssssssrk',
+    'ksssssstssssssrk',
+    'kslmmlstmmlssrkk',
+    'ksllllstlllssrkk',
+    'kssssstsssssrrkk',
+    'kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk',
+];
+export const TILE_WALL_PAL = {
+    k: NNTV.ink, s: NNTV.stone, l: NNTV.stoneLight,
+    m: NNTV.stoneDark, r: NNTV.stoneDark, t: NNTV.ink,
+};
+
+export const TILE_GOAL = [
+    'kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk',
+    'kggggggggggggggk',
+    'kghhghhhghhhgggk',
+    'kgghghhhghhhhggk',
+    'kgggghhghhhhhggk',
+    'kgghghhhghhhhggk',
+    'kggghhhhhhhhhggk',
+    'kggghhwhwhhhhggk',
+    'kggghhhhhwhhhggk',
+    'kggghwhhhhhhhggk',
+    'kgghghhhwhhhhggk',
+    'kggghhhhhhhhhggk',
+    'kgghghhhhhhhhggk',
+    'kggghwhhhhwhhggk',
+    'kggggggggggggggk',
+    'kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk',
+];
+export const TILE_GOAL_PAL = { k: NNTV.ink, g: NNTV.gridGoal, h: '#00e763', w: '#7affb0' };
+
+export const TILE_LIT = [
+    'yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy',
+    'ywwwwwwwwwwwwwwy',
+    'ywyyyyyyyyyyyywy',
+    'ywyyfffffffffywy',
+    'ywyfyyyyyyyyfywy',
+    'ywyfyffffffyfywy',
+    'ywyfyfyyyyyfyfwy',
+    'ywyfyfyffyyfyfwy',
+    'ywyfyfyffyyfyfwy',
+    'ywyfyfyyyyyfyfwy',
+    'ywyfyffffffyfywy',
+    'ywyfyyyyyyyyfywy',
+    'ywyyfffffffffywy',
+    'ywyyyyyyyyyyyywy',
+    'ywwwwwwwwwwwwwwy',
+    'yyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy',
+];
+export const TILE_LIT_PAL = { y: NNTV.gridLit, w: '#fff88a', f: NNTV.gridLit };
+
+export const TILE_MIRROR = [
+    '........kk......',
+    '.......kmmk.....',
+    '......kmllmk....',
+    '.....kmllllmk...',
+    '....kmllwwllmk..',
+    '...kmllwllwllmk.',
+    '..kmllwlllwllmk.',
+    '.kmllwlllllwllmk',
+    'kmlwlllllllwllmk',
+    '.kmllwlllllwllmk',
+    '..kmllwlllwllmk.',
+    '...kmllwwwllmk..',
+    '....kmllllmk....',
+    '.....kmllmk.....',
+    '......kmmk......',
+    '.......kk.......',
+];
+export const TILE_MIRROR_PAL = { k: NNTV.ink, l: NNTV.guardMirror, m: NNTV.lettuceDark, w: NNTV.cream };
+
+export const TILE_PREVIEW = [
+    'yyyy........yyyy',
+    'y..y........y..y',
+    'y..y........y..y',
+    'yyyy........yyyy',
+    '................',
+    '................',
+    '................',
+    '................',
+    '................',
+    '................',
+    '................',
+    '................',
+    'yyyy........yyyy',
+    'y..y........y..y',
+    'y..y........y..y',
+    'yyyy........yyyy',
+];
+export const TILE_PREVIEW_PAL = { y: NNTV.gridLit };
diff --git a/src/lib/pixel/art-ui.js b/src/lib/pixel/art-ui.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cbce6bf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/pixel/art-ui.js
@@ -0,0 +1,194 @@
+// Pixel-art UI elements — hearts, logo, moon, icons.
+import { NNTV } from './palette.js';
+
+export const HEART_ART = [
+    '................',
+    '..kkkk....kkkk..',
+    '.krrrhk..krrrhk.',
+    'krrwrrrkkrrrrhk.',
+    'krwrrrrrrrrrrhk.',
+    'krrrrrrrrrrrrhk.',
+    'krrrrrrrrrrrhhk.',
+    'krrrrrrrrrrrhhk.',
+    '.krrrrrrrrrrhk..',
+    '.khrrrrrrrrhhk..',
+    '..khrrrrrrhhk...',
+    '...khrrrrhhk....',
+    '....khrrhhk.....',
+    '.....khhhk......',
+    '......khk.......',
+    '.......k........',
+];
+export const HEART_ART_EMPTY = HEART_ART.map(r => r.replace(/[rwh]/g, 'e'));
+export const HEART_PAL = {
+    k: NNTV.ink, r: NNTV.scarfRed, h: '#8a1a22',
+    w: NNTV.cream, e: NNTV.dusk,
+};
+
+export const MOON_ART = [
+    '........kkkkk.......',
+    '......kkggghhk......',
+    '.....kgggghhhhk.....',
+    '....kggghhhhhhhk....',
+    '...kggghhhhhhhhhk...',
+    '...kgghhhhhhhhhhk...',
+    '..kggghhhhhhhhhhhk..',
+    '..kgghhhhhhhhhhhhk..',
+    '..kgghhhhhhhhhhhhk..',
+    '..kgghhhhhhhhhhhhk..',
+    '..kgghhhhhhhhhhhhk..',
+    '..kgghhhhhhhhhhhhk..',
+    '..kggghhhhhhhhhhhk..',
+    '...kgghhhhhhhhhhk...',
+    '...kggghhhhhhhhhk...',
+    '....kggghhhhhhhk....',
+    '.....kgggghhhhk.....',
+    '......kkggghhk......',
+    '........kkkkk.......',
+    '....................',
+];
+export const MOON_PAL = { k: NNTV.ink, g: NNTV.cream, h: NNTV.moonGlow };
+
+// 16-wide icons — 'k' outline, 'w' fill.
+const padIcon = (s) => s.split('\n').filter(Boolean).map(r => r.padEnd(16, '.').slice(0, 16));
+export const ICON_PAL = { k: NNTV.ink, w: NNTV.moonlight, a: NNTV.scarfRed };
+
+export const ICON_UNDO = padIcon(`
+................
+................
+.....wwww.......
+....w....w......
+...w......w.....
+..w...wwww.w....
+..w..w.....w....
+..w..w..........
+.wwww.w.........
+.wwwww..........
+..www...........
+...w............
+................
+................
+................
+................`);
+
+export const ICON_REDO = padIcon(`
+................
+................
+.......wwww.....
+......w....w....
+.....w......w...
+....w.wwww...w..
+....w.....w..w..
+..........w..w..
+.........w.wwww.
+..........wwwww.
+...........www..
+............w...
+................
+................
+................
+................`);
+
+export const ICON_EYE = padIcon(`
+................
+................
+...wwwwwwwww....
+..w.........w...
+.w...wwwww...w..
+w...w.....w...w.
+w...w.www.w...w.
+w...w.www.w...w.
+w...w.....w...w.
+.w...wwwww...w..
+..w.........w...
+...wwwwwwwww....
+................
+................
+................
+................`);
+
+export const ICON_PAUSE = padIcon(`
+................
+...ww.....ww....
+...ww.....ww....
+...ww.....ww....
+...ww.....ww....
+...ww.....ww....
+...ww.....ww....
+...ww.....ww....
+...ww.....ww....
+...ww.....ww....
+...ww.....ww....
+...ww.....ww....
+................
+................
+................
+................`);
+
+export const ICON_SETTINGS = padIcon(`
+................
+.....wwww.......
+....w....w......
+...w..ww..w.....
+..w..wwww..w....
+..w..wwww..w....
+.w....ww....w...
+.w..........w...
+.w..........w...
+.w....ww....w...
+..w..wwww..w....
+..w..wwww..w....
+...w..ww..w.....
+....w....w......
+.....wwww.......
+................`);
+
+export const ICON_LANG = padIcon(`
+................
+.....wwww.......
+....wwwwww......
+...ww....ww.....
+..ww..ww..ww....
+.ww..w..w..ww...
+.w..ww..ww..w...
+.w..ww..ww..w...
+.w..ww..ww..w...
+.ww..w..w..ww...
+..ww..ww..ww....
+...ww....ww.....
+....wwwwww......
+.....wwww.......
+................
+................`);
+
+export const ICON_ARROW = padIcon(`
+................
+................
+.......w........
+......ww........
+.....www........
+....wwww........
+...wwwww........
+..wwwwwwwwww....
+...wwwww........
+....wwww........
+.....www........
+......ww........
+.......w........
+................
+................
+................`);
+
+// Simple "NNTV" wordmark — compact 36×9 to fit menu header.
+export const LOGO_ART = [
+    '....................................',
+    '.k..k.k...k.kkkk.k...k..kkk.k...k...',
+    '.kk.k.kk..k.k.k..kk..k.k....kk..k...',
+    '.k.kk.k.k.k.k.k..k.k.k.k....k.k.k...',
+    '.k..k.k..kk.k.k..k..kk.k....k..kk...',
+    '.k..k.k...k.kkkk.k...k..kkk.k...k...',
+    '....................................',
+    '....................................',
+    '....................................',
+];
+export const LOGO_PAL = { k: NNTV.moonlight };
diff --git a/src/lib/pixel/palette.js b/src/lib/pixel/palette.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4800093
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/lib/pixel/palette.js
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+// NNTV pixel-art palette — shared across sprite/tile/scene art.
+// Semantic guard colors mirror theme.css variables to preserve gameplay readability.
+
+export const NNTV = {
+    // Gameplay-critical (must match theme.css guard colors)
+    guardStatic: '#ff4444',
+    guardRotating: '#4488ff',
+    guardBlinking: '#ffdd44',
+    guardBlinkingOff: '#887722',
+    guardPatrolling: '#bb44ff',
+    guardMirror: '#44ddaa',
+    guardChaser: '#ff6622',
+    gridEmpty: '#1a1a2e',
+    gridWall: '#4a4a5e',
+    gridGoal: '#00c853',
+    gridLit: '#ffea00',
+    gridBorder: '#2a2a3e',
+    playerInk: '#111111',
+
+    // Extended palette — atmosphere & pixel shading
+    midnight: '#0a0a1a',
+    twilight: '#141428',
+    dusk: '#1f1b3a',
+    plum: '#2d2150',
+    moonlight: '#e8e4ff',
+    silver: '#9a9ac0',
+    shadow: '#05050f',
+    ink: '#0b0a18',
+    cream: '#fff4d6',
+    moonGlow: '#ffe88a',
+    carrot: '#ff8844',
+    carrotDark: '#cc5a1f',
+    leafGreen: '#3ea85c',
+    leafDark: '#1e6b38',
+
+    // Rabbit fur/cloth
+    furLight: '#f5eeff',
+    furMid: '#b8b0d0',
+    furShadow: '#6a607a',
+    cloth: '#1a1a2e',
+    clothShadow: '#05050f',
+    eyeShine: '#ffffff',
+    eyeRed: '#ff3355',
+    scarfRed: '#c73e3a',
+
+    // Veggie tones
+    tomatoRed: '#e23a3a',
+    tomatoDark: '#991f1f',
+    tomatoLeaf: '#3ea85c',
+    eggplantPurp: '#8a3fc9',
+    eggplantDark: '#4a1a6e',
+    cornYellow: '#ffd84a',
+    cornDark: '#b88a1a',
+    cornHusk: '#6aa84a',
+    lettuceGreen: '#8fd66a',
+    lettuceDark: '#3e7a3e',
+    pumpkinOrange: '#ff7722',
+    pumpkinDark: '#aa4411',
+    blueberry: '#4a7acc',
+    blueberryDark: '#2a4a8c',
+    onionPurp: '#a968c9',
+    onionDark: '#5a2a7a',
+
+    // Tile tones
+    stone: '#5a5a6e',
+    stoneDark: '#2a2a3e',
+    stoneLight: '#7a7a9a',
+    dirt: '#4a3a2a',
+    dirtDark: '#2a1a1a',
+    grass: '#3e7a3e',
+    grassDark: '#2a5a2a',
+    grassLight: '#5aaa5a',
+    mossGreen: '#2a5a3a',
+    brick: '#6a3a2a',
+    brickDark: '#3a1a0a',
+    wood: '#7a5a2a',
+    woodDark: '#3a2a1a',
+    gold: '#ffcc44',
+    goldDark: '#aa7722',
+};
diff --git a/src/scenes/Game.svelte b/src/scenes/Game.svelte
index 421a9fe..b39f28f 100644
--- a/src/scenes/Game.svelte
+++ b/src/scenes/Game.svelte
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@
     import LevelCompletePopup from '../components/LevelCompletePopup.svelte';
     import PauseMenu from '../components/PauseMenu.svelte';
     import ControlsOverlay from '../components/controls-overlay.svelte';
+    import Pixel from '../lib/pixel/Pixel.svelte';
+    import { sceneForLevel } from '../lib/pixel/art-scenes.js';
 
     let { navigate, level = 1, lives = 3 } = $props();
 
@@ -64,6 +66,7 @@
         ? turnManager.previewNextTurn(grid, player, guards)
         : new Set()));
     let canUndo = $derived((renderVersion, history.canUndo()));
+    let scene = $derived(sceneForLevel(currentLevel));
 
     // Initialize level
     function initLevel() {
@@ -266,6 +269,9 @@
 <!-- svelte-ignore a11y_no_static_element_interactions -->
 <div class="game-scene" class:flash={showFlash}
      ontouchstart={onTouchStart} ontouchend={onTouchEnd}>
+    <div class="scene-backdrop">
+        <Pixel art={scene.art} palette={scene.pal} width={1024} height={384} />
+    </div>
     <GameHud
         lives={livesRemaining}
         level={currentLevel}
@@ -337,6 +343,17 @@
         display: flex; flex-direction: column;
         background: var(--bg-dark);
         position: relative;
+        overflow: hidden;
+    }
+    .scene-backdrop {
+        position: absolute;
+        inset: 0;
+        opacity: 0.22;
+        pointer-events: none;
+        z-index: 0;
+        display: flex;
+        align-items: flex-start;
+        justify-content: center;
     }
     .game-scene.flash {
         animation: level-flash 0.4s ease-out;
@@ -351,8 +368,16 @@
         display: flex;
         justify-content: center;
         align-items: center;
+        position: relative;
+        z-index: 1;
+    }
+    .board-container {
+        position: relative;
+        background: rgba(10, 10, 26, 0.55);
+        padding: 8px;
+        border-radius: 6px;
+        box-shadow: 0 0 24px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6);
     }
-    .board-container { position: relative; }
     .final-message {
         position: absolute;
         top: 60px; left: 50%;
diff --git a/src/scenes/LevelIntro.svelte b/src/scenes/LevelIntro.svelte
index 40b77a3..7d12cd9 100644
--- a/src/scenes/LevelIntro.svelte
+++ b/src/scenes/LevelIntro.svelte
@@ -2,29 +2,57 @@
     import { getText } from '../lib/localization.js';
     import { LEVELS } from '../lib/levels/levels.js';
     import Button from '../components/Button.svelte';
+    import Pixel from '../lib/pixel/Pixel.svelte';
+    import { sceneForLevel } from '../lib/pixel/art-scenes.js';
     let { navigate, level = 1, lives = 3 } = $props();
 
     let levelData = $derived(LEVELS[level - 1]);
     let levelName = $derived(levelData?.name || `Level ${level}`);
     let storyText = $derived(levelData?.storyKey ? getText(levelData.storyKey) : '');
+    let scene = $derived(sceneForLevel(level));
 </script>
 
 <div class="intro">
-    <span class="level-num">{getText('level')}{level}</span>
-    <h1>{levelName}</h1>
-    {#if storyText}
-        <p class="story">{storyText}</p>
-    {/if}
-    <Button text={getText('continue')} onclick={() => navigate('Game', { level, lives })} />
+    <div class="backdrop">
+        <Pixel art={scene.art} palette={scene.pal} width={1024} height={480} />
+    </div>
+    <div class="foreground">
+        <span class="level-num">{getText('level')}{level}</span>
+        <h1>{levelName}</h1>
+        {#if storyText}
+            <p class="story">{storyText}</p>
+        {/if}
+        <Button text={getText('continue')} onclick={() => navigate('Game', { level, lives })} />
+    </div>
 </div>
 
 <style>
     .intro {
+        width: 100%; height: 100%;
+        position: relative;
+        background: var(--bg-dark);
+        overflow: hidden;
+    }
+    .backdrop {
+        position: absolute;
+        inset: 0;
+        opacity: 0.55;
+        pointer-events: none;
+        display: flex;
+        align-items: center;
+        justify-content: center;
+    }
+    .foreground {
+        position: relative;
         width: 100%; height: 100%;
         display: flex; flex-direction: column;
         justify-content: center; align-items: center;
         gap: 20px;
-        background: var(--bg-dark);
+        background: linear-gradient(180deg,
+            rgba(10,10,26,0.65) 0%,
+            rgba(10,10,26,0.3) 40%,
+            rgba(10,10,26,0.3) 60%,
+            rgba(10,10,26,0.75) 100%);
     }
     .level-num {
         font: var(--font-small);
@@ -33,6 +61,7 @@
     h1 {
         font: var(--font-title);
         color: var(--text-title);
+        text-shadow: 0 0 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);
     }
     .story {
         font: var(--font-body);
@@ -41,5 +70,6 @@
         max-width: 70%;
         line-height: 1.6;
         white-space: pre-line;
+        text-shadow: 0 2px 4px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);
     }
 </style>
diff --git a/src/scenes/MainMenu.svelte b/src/scenes/MainMenu.svelte
index ffd6ebc..30a9fca 100644
--- a/src/scenes/MainMenu.svelte
+++ b/src/scenes/MainMenu.svelte
@@ -1,13 +1,15 @@
 <script>
     import { getText } from '../lib/localization.js';
     import Button from '../components/Button.svelte';
+    import Pixel from '../lib/pixel/Pixel.svelte';
+    import { MOON_ART, MOON_PAL } from '../lib/pixel/art-ui.js';
+    import { RABBIT_ART, RABBIT_PAL } from '../lib/pixel/art-characters.js';
     let { navigate } = $props();
 
-    // Generate starfield dots
     const stars = Array.from({ length: 40 }, () => ({
         x: Math.random() * 100,
         y: Math.random() * 100,
-        opacity: 0.1 + Math.random() * 0.4,
+        opacity: 0.1 + Math.random() * 0.5,
         size: 1 + Math.floor(Math.random() * 2),
     }));
 </script>
@@ -20,8 +22,14 @@
         ></div>
     {/each}
 
+    <div class="moon">
+        <Pixel art={MOON_ART} palette={MOON_PAL} width={100} height={100} />
+    </div>
+
     <h1>{getText('gameTitle')}</h1>
-    <div class="ninja-icon"></div>
+    <div class="hero">
+        <Pixel art={RABBIT_ART} palette={RABBIT_PAL} width={96} height={96} />
+    </div>
 
     <div class="buttons">
         <Button text={getText('startGame')} onclick={() => navigate('StoryIntro')} />
@@ -45,19 +53,23 @@
         border-radius: 50%;
         pointer-events: none;
     }
+    .moon {
+        position: absolute;
+        top: 40px;
+        right: 60px;
+        filter: drop-shadow(0 0 24px rgba(255, 232, 138, 0.3));
+    }
     h1 {
         font: var(--font-title);
         color: var(--text-title);
         margin-bottom: 16px;
         z-index: 1;
+        text-shadow: 0 0 12px rgba(187, 134, 252, 0.4);
     }
-    .ninja-icon {
-        width: 36px; height: 36px;
-        background: var(--player-color);
-        border-radius: 50%;
-        margin-bottom: 32px;
-        box-shadow: 0 0 20px rgba(83, 52, 131, 0.3);
+    .hero {
+        margin-bottom: 24px;
         z-index: 1;
+        filter: drop-shadow(0 4px 12px rgba(83, 52, 131, 0.6));
     }
     .buttons {
         display: flex; flex-direction: column;