Latest Reviews of Spike Chunsoft Games
Review Bakeru (Switch) - Good-Feel's Carefree Platformer For Goemon Lovers Makes It To The West
Go, ninja, go!
Editor’s note: The text below was originally published in January 2024 as an import review of Otogi Katsugeki Mameda no Bakeru: Oracle Saitarou no Sainan!!, which launched in Japan in 2023. To coincide with the Western release of Bakeru on 3rd September 2024, we’re republishing our review with added impressions of the localized...
Review Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid (Switch) - A Pleasant Vacation, If You're Patient
A great vacation, or Natsu much?
In a world where problems and frustrations seem to be around every corner, you might find yourself wanting to escape from it all. Maybe you dream of taking in the Japanese countryside, strolling around in a field of sunflowers, catching some bugs, fishing, all without a worry in sight. Well, if that’s what you’re...
Sweet little mystery dungeon
It’s nearly guaranteed that during any online discussion about a game of the ‘rogue’ genre, at least one sweaty person will eagerly emerge from the woodwork to say, “Well, ackshually, this game is a roguelite, not a roguelike.” Eyerolls aside, the distinction isn’t without merit, though ‘pure’ roguelikes...
Review ANONYMOUS;CODE (Switch) - A Spellbinding Sci-Fi Visual Novel In A Flashy Package
A game worth saving (and loading)
For much of the time that Science Adventure fans have known of its existence, Anonymous;Code has been more of a waiting game than, well, an actual game. First announced all the way back in 2016, this sci-fi-heavy visual novel was smacked with delay after delay until it finally saw a Japanese-exclusive release on...
So mysteriful
Following up on the Danganronpa series was always going to be a tricky proposition. With its deceptively simple 'Killing Game' premise, its huge cast of eclectic characters, and its often overwhelmingly macabre atmosphere, it’s no wonder Spike Chunsoft’s visual novel franchise became such a hit with players worldwide. Naturally,...
Review Chaos;Child (Switch) - A Stand Out 'Science Adventure' VN That's Compelling And Gruesome
Find the truth behind a whole new set of grizzly murders
The Science Adventure series of visual novels usually don’t share much in common aside from a shared universe and an unusual naming convention, but Chaos;Child is the most direct sequel the series has seen so far. Set six years after the events of Chaos;Head Noah, this game offers a similar...
Review AI: The Somnium Files - nirvanA Initiative (Switch) - Another Very Fine Murder Mystery
An AI in your Eyeball
It is hard to beat a good murder mystery. The classic battle of wits between the detective and killer makes for perfect tension and AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative takes advantage of this established formula to give players a fun mystery with plenty of twists and turns, keeping them engaged through the closing...
Review Danganronpa Decadence (Switch) - A Twisted, Vulgar, Breathtaking Package
Absolute Decadence
The Danganronpa franchise is a twisted, vulgar little thing. Rife with problematic politics, egregious erotic fanservice and some truly breathtakingly ill-judged swings at far heavier themes than it really has any right to tackle, it is in many ways a reprehensible, amoral and quite appalling series of games. And it’s bloody...
Review Danganronpa S: Ultimate Summer Camp (Switch) - Fanservice Aplenty, But A Total Grindfest
A Killing Game for your wallet
As we've established previously, Danganronpa is pretty skeevy in its narrative. Thankfully, though, it has managed to avoid bringing said skeev outside of its world, outside of the fictional space that makes it somewhat more palatable. Danganronpa S: Ultimate Summer Camp, unfortunately, rather breaks that promise. The...
A real Class act
Everything was leading up to this. Danganronpa. Danganronpa 2: Goodbye Despair. The anime Danganronpa 3: The End of Hope’s Peak High School. Even the god-awful, mercifully not re-released for Switch Ultra Despair Girls. It has all lead to Danganron
Latest Spike Chunsoft Articles
News Bakeru Switch Physical Release Announced, Out February 2025
It's still unavailable digitally in select locations
The 3D platformer BAKERU, which was recently released in the West, will be getting a physical release on the Switch. This hard copy of the game for the hybrid platform will arrive next year on 25th February 2025. Pre-orders are now live in select locations. If you end up ordering on the UK/EU...
Poll Good-Feel's Goemon-Inspired Switch Game 'Bakeru' Is Out This Week, Are You Getting It?
Go on, tell us!
Good-Feel, the developer behind certain Yoshi and Kirby games, this week released its 3D action game BAKERU locally on the Switch eShop. If you are wondering what it's like, here's a bit from our reviewhere on Nintendo Life. We thought this title was "great" awarding it eight out of ten stars: "Bakeru is a sweet, snappy, and...
Feature New Attacks, More Speed, Bigger Challenge - Good-Feel On Bringing 'BAKERU' To The West
"We've made adjustments to improve the overall gameplay experience"
Some of you may have seen earlier this week that BAKERU, the previously Japan-only 3D action platformer from Good-Feel, was announced to be coming to Western shores for a fresh English release in just a few short weeks. We loved the original Japanese release, and in anticipation of...
News Good-Feel's Goemon-Inspired Switch Game 'Bakeru' Is Getting Localised
Update: Spike Chunsoft confirms
Update [Tue 13th Aug, 2024 19:45 BST]: After last night's little slip, Spike Chunsoft has now officially confirmed that it's bringing Good-Feel's "Japan-esque" platformer Bakeru to the West. Nintendo has even shared the official trailer, which you can watch above. The game will cost USD $39.99 / €39.99 / GBP...
News Surprise! Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid Switch Demo Is Out Now
DLC announced too
It might be almost August, but summer is far from over. And you can start your next summer vacation a little early, as publisher Spike Chunsoft has released a free demo of Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid on Switch today. The demo is only available on Switch, too. Launching on 6th August (which is only a week away — not that...
News Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid Is Getting A Local Switch Release This August
A demo will be made available later this month
At this year's Anime Expo, Spike Chunsoft announced Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid for the Nintendo Switch will be coming to North America and Europe next month on 6th August 2024. It is developed by TOYBOX Inc. and Millennium Kitchen Co.,Ltd. This follows the game's Japanese release on the Switch...
News Visual Novels Based On 'The Quintessential Quintuplets' Anime Come To Switch Next Week
The famous five
Publisher Spike Chunsoft has announced that it is bringing the popular anime and manga series 'The Quintessential Quintuplets' to Switch on 23rd May in the form of two brand-new visual novels. The Quintessential Quintuplets - Memories of a Quintessential Summer and The Quintessential Quintuplets - Five Memories Spent With You will...
News New Shiren The Wanderer Free Content Update Adds Extra Dungeons, Challenges And More
Dive back in
Spike Chunsoft's catchily-titled roguelike RPG Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island has today landed a new free content update. Yes, it's available right now. One of the headline additions this time around is the new Sacred Tree Dungeons, where you will be able to blast through a series of tough dungeons each...
Feature Shiren The Wanderer Devs On Preserving Series' "Difficulty" And "Uniqueness"
"I made sure to preserve what I believed to be valuable"
Shiren the Wanderer is one of the longest-running roguelike series in the world. Debuting back in 1995 as the second entry in the Mystery Dungeon series, Mystery Dungeon 2: Shiren the Wanderer introduced the world to the young boy who would explore many procedurally-generated dungeons over the...
News Octopath Traveler Studio 'Acquire Corp.' Bought By FromSoftware Owner
For an undisclosed sum
Kadokawa, the owner of companies including FromSoftware and Spike Chunsoft, has today announced that it has bought the studio behind Octopath Traveler, Acquire Corp. (thanks, VGC). The company confirmed that it had made Aquire into "a wholly owned subsidiary" in its recent quarterly financials briefing, where it explained its...
News New Shiren The Wanderer Details Introduce Online Features And Fresh Faces
Coming to Switch next month
After some confusion following its initial announcement, we now know for sure that Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is receiving a Western release on 27th February. Outside of the
News Spike Chunsoft's Annual Survey Wants To Know More About Your Gaming Interests
"Your input and opinions are incredibly valuable to us"
Spike Chunsoft, the Japanese developer (Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, AI: The Somnium Files, the Danganronpa series) and publisher, wants fans to take its 2023 video game survey, so it can learn more about what they're interested in. If you have any of this company's games before, your input is...
News New Shiren The Wanderer Trailer Showcases The Upcoming Roguelike's Fresh Features
Rescue, Parallel Play and Monster Dojo all detailed
Thanks to confirmation from Spike Chunsoft back in October, we know for sure that Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island (catchy little title, huh?) is heading West on 27th February. But what will the latest entry in the roguelike RPG series have in store? What new
News Spike Chunsoft's Latest Sale Offers Up To 80% Off Select Switch eShop Titles (Europe)
Discounted Danganronpa
Hot on the tail of Black Friday discounts, publisher Spike Chunsoft has snuck into the 'Festive Offers' eShop sale for 2023, providing some pretty meaty savings on select titles. There is a fair selection of games included this time around with series like Danganronpa and AI: The Somnium Files scoring discounts of up to 80%...
News Shiren The Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon Of Serpentcoil Island Is Coming To The West
He roams around, around, around
First announced in the Japanese version of the September 2023 Nintendo Direct, Spike Chunsoft has confirmed that Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is coming to the West, with a physical release set for 27th February 2024. The trailer above touches on the history of this roguelike Mystery...
News Save Big On Danganronpa With Spike Chunsoft's Switch eShop Sale
Nothing despairing about this
If you're a fan of visual novels and murder mysteries but have yet to dive into the Danganronpa franchise, then now might be the perfect opportunity. Spike Chunsoft has launched a rather generous Switch eShop sale which discounts its games by as much as 85%. You've got the aforementioned Danganronpa franchise, AI: The...
News Master Detective Archives: Rain Code Gets A Minor Update On Switch
Version 1.3.2 has arrived
Following a successful launch in June and even some DLC, Spike Chunsoft has now released another minor update for the noir detective adventure game Master Detective Archives: Rain Code. This is a relatively small hotfix but it will improve the overall game experience on the Nintendo Switch. Here are the full patch notes...
News Master Detective Archives: Rain Code Writer "Would Love To Make A Sequel"
And he's open to "opinions and feedback"
Spike Chunsoft released its noir detective adventure game Master Detective Archives: Rain Code on the Switch at the end of last month and it's been well-received so far. Here on Nintendo Life, we gave the game seven out of ten stars - noting how it was definitely worth checking out if you're a fan of the...
"We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience"
Later this month, Spike Chunsoft is releasing Master Detective Archives: Rain Code on the Nintendo Switch. Unfortunately, if you ended up ordering a copy of the "Mysteriful Limited Edition" and are located in North America, there's been a slight delay. Instead of releasing alongside the standard and...
News Master Detective Archives: Rain Code Cast Shows Off Weird And Wonderful Skills In New Trailer
Meet the World Detective Organisation
Spike Chunsoft has released a brand new trailer introducing us to Master Detective Archives: Rain Code's World Detective Organisation. This is actually part two of the showcase, so make sure you go and check out that first WDO trailer from February. We've met a handful of these characters before,
Pre-orders now live
Following a Switch announcement in July last year, Spike Chunsoft has now confirmed ANONYMOUS;CODE will be arriving on Nintendo Switch on 8th September this year, with pre-orders now now available on the publisher's website. This announcement was made alongside a new trailer. In addition to this, it's been revealed this will be...
News Fitness Circuit Brings Your Own Virtual Trainer To Switch This May
Feel the burn!
Publisher Spike Chunsoft has today announced that it will be bringing exercise back to the Switch as Fitness Circuit powers its way onto the console on 26th May. Remember back in the early days of the global pandemic when everyone turned to Switch games like Ring Fit Adventure to maintain some sense of daily exercise? It served as a...
Talking Point Do We Need Another Pokémon Mystery Dungeon On Switch?
Putting the "fun" in d(f)ungeon
I've been thinking a lot about Pokémon Mystery Dungeon recently. Maybe it's the list of spin-offs I recently wrote up, which reminded me just how many excellent/terrible Pokémon spin-offs exist out there, or maybe it's the fact that when I was writing my answer to the question "What Pokémon game should be the next...
News Made In Abyss RPG Updated To Version 1.0.3, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Going deeper
Last year, you might remember that the hit anime Made in Abyss finally made the jump to the video game world. Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness may have launched to lacklustre reviews, but improvements are coming to the game today thanks to a new update, Spike Chunsoft has announced. The publisher shared the patch notes...
Noir goes lucid
One of the biggest surprises and standouts during the 13th September Nintendo Direct was the reveal of Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE, a brand new mystery game from Kazutaka Kodaka, the creator of the Danganronpa series. Set in a rainy city full of bright lights, and embracing a more dark fantasy style compared to the pink...
News Bakeru Switch Physical Release Announced, Out February 2025
It's still unavailable digitally in select locations
The 3D platformer BAKERU, which was recently released in the West, will be getting a physical release on the Switch. This hard copy of the game for the hybrid platform will arrive next year on 25th February 2025. Pre-orders are now live in select locations. If you end up ordering on the UK/EU...
Poll Good-Feel's Goemon-Inspired Switch Game 'Bakeru' Is Out This Week, Are You Getting It?
Go on, tell us!
Good-Feel, the developer behind certain Yoshi and Kirby games, this week released its 3D action game BAKERU locally on the Switch eShop. If you are wondering what it's like, here's a bit from our reviewhere on Nintendo Life. We thought this title was "great" awarding it eight out of ten stars: "Bakeru is a sweet, snappy, and...
Feature New Attacks, More Speed, Bigger Challenge - Good-Feel On Bringing 'BAKERU' To The West
"We've made adjustments to improve the overall gameplay experience"
Some of you may have seen earlier this week that BAKERU, the previously Japan-only 3D action platformer from Good-Feel, was announced to be coming to Western shores for a fresh English release in just a few short weeks. We loved the original Japanese release, and in anticipation of...
News Good-Feel's Goemon-Inspired Switch Game 'Bakeru' Is Getting Localised
Update: Spike Chunsoft confirms
Update [Tue 13th Aug, 2024 19:45 BST]: After last night's little slip, Spike Chunsoft has now officially confirmed that it's bringing Good-Feel's "Japan-esque" platformer Bakeru to the West. Nintendo has even shared the official trailer, which you can watch above. The game will cost USD $39.99 / €39.99 / GBP...
News Surprise! Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid Switch Demo Is Out Now
DLC announced too
It might be almost August, but summer is far from over. And you can start your next summer vacation a little early, as publisher Spike Chunsoft has released a free demo of Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid on Switch today. The demo is only available on Switch, too. Launching on 6th August (which is only a week away — not that...
News Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid Is Getting A Local Switch Release This August
A demo will be made available later this month
At this year's Anime Expo, Spike Chunsoft announced Natsu-Mon: 20th Century Summer Kid for the Nintendo Switch will be coming to North America and Europe next month on 6th August 2024. It is developed by TOYBOX Inc. and Millennium Kitchen Co.,Ltd. This follows the game's Japanese release on the Switch...
News Visual Novels Based On 'The Quintessential Quintuplets' Anime Come To Switch Next Week
The famous five
Publisher Spike Chunsoft has announced that it is bringing the popular anime and manga series 'The Quintessential Quintuplets' to Switch on 23rd May in the form of two brand-new visual novels. The Quintessential Quintuplets - Memories of a Quintessential Summer and The Quintessential Quintuplets - Five Memories Spent With You will...
News New Shiren The Wanderer Free Content Update Adds Extra Dungeons, Challenges And More
Dive back in
Spike Chunsoft's catchily-titled roguelike RPG Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island has today landed a new free content update. Yes, it's available right now. One of the headline additions this time around is the new Sacred Tree Dungeons, where you will be able to blast through a series of tough dungeons each...
Feature Shiren The Wanderer Devs On Preserving Series' "Difficulty" And "Uniqueness"
"I made sure to preserve what I believed to be valuable"
Shiren the Wanderer is one of the longest-running roguelike series in the world. Debuting back in 1995 as the second entry in the Mystery Dungeon series, Mystery Dungeon 2: Shiren the Wanderer introduced the world to the young boy who would explore many procedurally-generated dungeons over the...
News Octopath Traveler Studio 'Acquire Corp.' Bought By FromSoftware Owner
For an undisclosed sum
Kadokawa, the owner of companies including FromSoftware and Spike Chunsoft, has today announced that it has bought the studio behind Octopath Traveler, Acquire Corp. (thanks, VGC). The company confirmed that it had made Aquire into "a wholly owned subsidiary" in its recent quarterly financials briefing, where it explained its...
News New Shiren The Wanderer Details Introduce Online Features And Fresh Faces
Coming to Switch next month
After some confusion following its initial announcement, we now know for sure that Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is receiving a Western release on 27th February. Outside of the
News Spike Chunsoft's Annual Survey Wants To Know More About Your Gaming Interests
"Your input and opinions are incredibly valuable to us"
Spike Chunsoft, the Japanese developer (Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, AI: The Somnium Files, the Danganronpa series) and publisher, wants fans to take its 2023 video game survey, so it can learn more about what they're interested in. If you have any of this company's games before, your input is...
News New Shiren The Wanderer Trailer Showcases The Upcoming Roguelike's Fresh Features
Rescue, Parallel Play and Monster Dojo all detailed
Thanks to confirmation from Spike Chunsoft back in October, we know for sure that Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island (catchy little title, huh?) is heading West on 27th February. But what will the latest entry in the roguelike RPG series have in store? What new
News Spike Chunsoft's Latest Sale Offers Up To 80% Off Select Switch eShop Titles (Europe)
Discounted Danganronpa
Hot on the tail of Black Friday discounts, publisher Spike Chunsoft has snuck into the 'Festive Offers' eShop sale for 2023, providing some pretty meaty savings on select titles. There is a fair selection of games included this time around with series like Danganronpa and AI: The Somnium Files scoring discounts of up to 80%...
News Shiren The Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon Of Serpentcoil Island Is Coming To The West
He roams around, around, around
First announced in the Japanese version of the September 2023 Nintendo Direct, Spike Chunsoft has confirmed that Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island is coming to the West, with a physical release set for 27th February 2024. The trailer above touches on the history of this roguelike Mystery...
News Save Big On Danganronpa With Spike Chunsoft's Switch eShop Sale
Nothing despairing about this
If you're a fan of visual novels and murder mysteries but have yet to dive into the Danganronpa franchise, then now might be the perfect opportunity. Spike Chunsoft has launched a rather generous Switch eShop sale which discounts its games by as much as 85%. You've got the aforementioned Danganronpa franchise, AI: The...
News Master Detective Archives: Rain Code Gets A Minor Update On Switch
Version 1.3.2 has arrived
Following a successful launch in June and even some DLC, Spike Chunsoft has now released another minor update for the noir detective adventure game Master Detective Archives: Rain Code. This is a relatively small hotfix but it will improve the overall game experience on the Nintendo Switch. Here are the full patch notes...
News Master Detective Archives: Rain Code Writer "Would Love To Make A Sequel"
And he's open to "opinions and feedback"
Spike Chunsoft released its noir detective adventure game Master Detective Archives: Rain Code on the Switch at the end of last month and it's been well-received so far. Here on Nintendo Life, we gave the game seven out of ten stars - noting how it was definitely worth checking out if you're a fan of the...
"We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience"
Later this month, Spike Chunsoft is releasing Master Detective Archives: Rain Code on the Nintendo Switch. Unfortunately, if you ended up ordering a copy of the "Mysteriful Limited Edition" and are located in North America, there's been a slight delay. Instead of releasing alongside the standard and...
News Master Detective Archives: Rain Code Cast Shows Off Weird And Wonderful Skills In New Trailer
Meet the World Detective Organisation
Spike Chunsoft has released a brand new trailer introducing us to Master Detective Archives: Rain Code's World Detective Organisation. This is actually part two of the showcase, so make sure you go and check out that first WDO trailer from February. We've met a handful of these characters before,
Pre-orders now live
Following a Switch announcement in July last year, Spike Chunsoft has now confirmed ANONYMOUS;CODE will be arriving on Nintendo Switch on 8th September this year, with pre-orders now now available on the publisher's website. This announcement was made alongside a new trailer. In addition to this, it's been revealed this will be...
News Fitness Circuit Brings Your Own Virtual Trainer To Switch This May
Feel the burn!
Publisher Spike Chunsoft has today announced that it will be bringing exercise back to the Switch as Fitness Circuit powers its way onto the console on 26th May. Remember back in the early days of the global pandemic when everyone turned to Switch games like Ring Fit Adventure to maintain some sense of daily exercise? It served as a...
Talking Point Do We Need Another Pokémon Mystery Dungeon On Switch?
Putting the "fun" in d(f)ungeon
I've been thinking a lot about Pokémon Mystery Dungeon recently. Maybe it's the list of spin-offs I recently wrote up, which reminded me just how many excellent/terrible Pokémon spin-offs exist out there, or maybe it's the fact that when I was writing my answer to the question "What Pokémon game should be the next...
News Made In Abyss RPG Updated To Version 1.0.3, Here Are The Full Patch Notes
Going deeper
Last year, you might remember that the hit anime Made in Abyss finally made the jump to the video game world. Made in Abyss: Binary Star Falling into Darkness may have launched to lacklustre reviews, but improvements are coming to the game today thanks to a new update, Spike Chunsoft has announced. The publisher shared the patch notes...
Noir goes lucid
One of the biggest surprises and standouts during the 13th September Nintendo Direct was the reveal of Master Detective Archives: RAIN CODE, a brand new mystery game from Kazutaka Kodaka, the creator of the Danganronpa series. Set in a rainy city full of bright lights, and embracing a more dark fantasy style compared to the pink...