Seems someone at Bandai-Namco is having a very, very bad day since most (if not all) their entire E3 2019 line-up has quickly and steadily leaked online for all to stumble upon. Among such titles is none other than acclaimed 2010 PlayStation 3 exclusive Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch which is gaining a remastered version on the competition and the original re-release on the Nintendo Switch
This JRPG was developed by Level-5 and featured animated cutscene sequences by Studio Ghibli, famous for animated masterpieces such as Princess Mononoke and Howl's Moving Castle. Rounded up by a beautiful soundtrack co-composed by Joe Hisaishi it was with little surprise the game captured the hearts and minds of reviewers and players alike.
It is always a terrible way to discover such major news (even if it is a re-release) by the way of leaks instead of having the proper surprise of the official reveal, but it would probably be a bigger disservice to Nintendo Life readers to ignore this one since it is one of the more commonly requested Switch ports among JRPG fans. Who knows, maybe this is the first step to having the equally brilliant sequel on Nintendo's hybrid console down the line. We look forward to further details such as a solid release date at E3 (for now only a vague 'Fall 2019' release has been spotted).
Are you happy to see Ni no Kuni on the Switch? Did you play or finished the original? Will you pick this up to add to your growing collection of quality JRPGs on the system? Tell us in the comments section below.
[source twitter.com, via resetera.com]
Comments 103
This is just a port of the PS3 version while the other console get remasters. If the other Leaks are anything to go by, Bamco is done with Switch.
man, i really am gonna go to college broke, aren’t i?
Yay but honestly it should had grace Nintendo's console sooner. Also a port of the second game would be nice.
Are you 100% sure? Risky article title.
@Firelork How they done with Switch? I swear people will go over the top on anything. If they were done with the Switch it would if passed over it. Like Spawnwave said it's probably because the Ps4 version will have major upgrades ( 4k for us Pro users.)that Switch wouldnt be able to run it.
@SBandy Somebody found a page on Bandai Namco’s website that wasn’t supposed to be live yet that had all this information on it.
I'm gonna need a cataloguing system for all of these Switch RPGs that I need to play....Here's another for the list. At least it's a guaranteed winner!
@LunarFlame17
OK, fairly conclusive.
This is great news! What an awesome game to have on Switch
@Firelork Only 1 game was leaked for Switch, and only 4 games in total were leaked. Chances are Bamco has a ton of other games to reveal at E3. I mean just look at all the games they have released in the past 6 months for the Switch.
We never got the chance of getting DS version but this great news to hear!
As you mentioned, the PS4 version will be upgraded to suit that console's capabilities. While the Switch Version will be the same as the past gen PS3 with no features to compliment it.
This is amazing!!!! I wanted to play this so bad on the ps3 but my backlog was massive so im glad its coming to Switch. Great news I hope we get more great news soon!!
@patbacknitro18
We will see. The rumor is the Bamco entire E3 line up has been leaked. And while yes, Switch has been getting many games, Few are AAA and I'm talking about Namco specifically.
BTW if youre excited about namco's output then more power to you
@Firelork And yet here you are bellyaching, nobody cares. Don't get the bloody game then.
Hope for the physical release
@Firelork How would you expect the Switch version to be remastered if it’s not as powerful as the PS4? It will likely have HD rumble which is pretty much the only thing Switch has unique outside its portability. It’s not like it needs a massive update anyway based on its art style.
@Firelork So the Switch port not getting the tech improvements the PS4 version gets (which AFAIK is the only thing the Switch version will be missing) means Bamco is done with the Switch even though they're bothering to release a game on it. Logic is fun.
Oh, and Bamco developed Smash Bros so that part of your comment makes even less sense.
Guys, Namco is releasing a game and has shown no intention of not continuing to support the Switch with games, so this obviously means no more Namco games.
#nintendoomed
A bit sad that all the Switch gets from Bandai Namco (talking about the three leaked announcements) is just a port, while other consoles get new experiences. It's not that this port is a bad game, but I am intrigued by the other leaked games with no capabilities to experience them as of now.
I just wish that other gaming companies would embrace the technical limitations of the Switch much more and plan their releases accordingly, so development is much more inclusive to the Switch.
The first game is much better than the second, I don't understand why people want this to mean the Switch gets the second game.
Also what is happening in the comments? Why are people complaining about this? Isn't this a good thing?
@mikegamer
I am sorry sir, I didn't know that this was such sacred grounds and not the comment section of a video game fan site.
@Firelork I've looked around and I haven't seen a full leaked list, so far it seems only 4 games have been leaked. And technically 2 of those games are the same game, one is just a remaster. I seriously doubt Bamco is only going to show off just 4 games at E3, given that they push out so many games a year. Not to mention of all the leaked games none of them are based on any sort of anime. (Which they do have that open world DBZ game they showed off last year) but still,
you know Bamco would have a ton of anime game E3 announcement. I mean heck they are supposed to be revealing the final Dragonball FighterZ DLC characters for the second Fighter pass. So if none of the Big Dragonball YouTubers have heard who it is yet, then obviously Bamcos full E3 reveal list has yet to be spoiled.
@Varkster Because PS4 and PC are getting a new remaster of this game, while Switch is getting a PS3 port. I mean i'm happy with it since I never played the original game, but that does make sense as why some people who have played it would get upset that the Switch isn't getting a remake.
@patbacknitro18
How does namco co-developing smash have anything to do with my argument that their third-party support has been poor so far.
@Entrr_username
People have been saying this since the Wii days:
"Third parties have only given us late ports and not much else but they haven't given up just yet. Just wait and you will see!"
@Galarian_Lassie
While you are right about the licensed anime games; that's mainly the Bandai side. I'm mainly talking about Namco's original franchises and habit of skipping the Switch.
@Firelork What? I said Dragonball FighterZ, it's a fighting game based on Dragonball Z. They too have a DLC pass called a fighter pass. And they are going to reveal the final DLC character for the second fighter pass of Dragonball FighterZ at E3. So if absolutely no one knows who it is yet, including the big Dragonball YouTubers who are always the first to know about Dragonball related leaks, then obviously Bamcos full E3 list has not been leaked yet.
@Firelork Also Smash isn't the only thing they contributed to the Switch. They have released a ton of game on the console so far, they just released Super Dragonball Heroes for it last month, and that was an exclusive.
@patbacknitro18
Sorry, I was agreeing with you.
I tried a demo of it back on the PS3, it looked nice but other than that I remember being pretty unimpressed.
I am curious to see, what's there to remaster, which the Switch couldn't handle (besides the framerate maybe)?🤔
I didn't like this game but it looked really good on the PS3 so I think it'll look fine on the Switch.
I don't understand the bellyaching about it not being remastered. The art style is such that it will likely end up looking almost the same anyway.
@MrBlacky I don't think the Switch would have much trouble running it, I think it was just easier for them to port over the original game. Chances are they were already developing the remake for PS4, and decided to port the original over to the Switch as a side project.
Ni No Kuni 2 was fantastic. I wonder how the remaster will compare to the original.
I've been asking for this since the Switch launched. It's hard to imagine that Ni No Kuni is 9 years old. Sheesh
”It is always a terrible way to discover such major news (even if it is a re-release) by the way of leaks instead of having the proper surprise of the official reveal, but it would probably be a bigger disservice to Nintendo Life readers to ignore this one since it is one of the more commonly requested Switch ports among JRPG fans."
@Shiryu Then don't mention the title in the headline and write something like ”Possible E3 Spoiler" instead. That way no one gets disappointed.
This is INSANELY cool. I've never owned a PS3, but I've always felt vaguely jealous of people who owned the system because they had access to this game and MGS4. I love JRPGs, love Studio Ghibli... everything about this just calls to me.
I didn't think there'd be a third party announcement that would excite me as much as most of the big first-party offerings, but here we are.
Day. One.
If only people knew how good this game is
Tales of Arise, Elden Ring, NinoKuni Remaster.
And the Switch only gets The old port?... Hopefully we actually get at least Tales or SOMETHING else new.
@Firelork Wait, it isn't? Huh, never would've guessed.
@Agramonte Yup, currently most of the items on my radar are only Nintendo titles. Not that I don't wonna spend cash on third party titles, I do and already did, but announcements like these are a bit underwehlming, if you only got a Switch. Though Kudos to everyone else who is excited.
Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!
Remaster or not, I love this game and Studio Ghibli. This and Dragon Quest XI, not enough hours in the day.
So many RPGs incoming for Switch even if some of them are just old games being remastered again:
Star Ocean: First Departure R (hopefully Second Evolution R and Til the End of Time R follows as well)
Grandia I & II HD Collection
Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch
Langrisser I & II HD Collection
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles HD
Shin Megami Tensei V
Oninaki
Fire Emblem: The Three Houses
Pokemon Sword and Shield
Rune Factory 4 Special
Rune Factory 5
Dragon Quest XI S
Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin
Heroland
Town (working title)
Octopath Traveler 2 (working title)
Citizens of Space
Darksiders Genesis
Mana Collection (still a rumor but the trademark may point to something)
Baldur's Gate I & II
Romancing SaGa! 3
Neverwinter Nights
Baldur’s Gate: Siege of Dragonspear
Icewind Dale
Planescape: Torment
Yes!!!! This is the best of the two!!!
Ah. Another old JRPG port.
For me to double dip in.
Because all those Final Fantasies are finally starting to come to an end.
Inside me there is a teen jumping with joy as they get to steal my money.
@Lemmy_the_Koopa yeah, nintendo basically holding down the fort. I have Fire Emblem at least.
Im excited for Tales of Arise. Maybe still gets announced at the Nintendo event.
The best game on PS3 for me and one that Pokemon fans should love, when watching the latest Pokemon Direct it reminded me so much of Ni No Kuni at times. Not sure what the remaster elsewhere will amount to expect a resolution and framerate bump as frankly nothing else needs to be changed
it makes me sick that some people like to ruin the surprise for everyone who ever leaked this should be banned from the internet.
Heard so much about this game.... I'll probably get it, if it does Switch
fantastic! this is supposed to be one of the great JRPG games of modern times
@Agramonte
Yeah, for me the only other big release not coming from Nintendo is Dragon Quest IX S, despite still needing to play my Ys VIII copy... maybe I get Bloodstained but apart from that, ASTRAL CHAIN (Nintendo), Luigi's Mansion 3 (Nintendo) are on my immediate list. I am a bit on the fence for Super Mario Maker 2 (Nintendo), Fire Emblem: Threee Houses (Nintendo) and at least with a tenative date DAEMON X MACHINA (Nintendo), as I enjoyed the the demo to at least see if they can get rid of some of the (personal perceived) flaws.
From an Indie standpoint right now only Cadence of Hyrule (Nintendo) got me pumped, after enjoying Katana Zero, which was a day one purchase for me, and even if it's old a buy into a game, FAST RMX that is scratching that F-Zero itch a bit.
I still am a bit baffled by Capcom the most, as they reportedly are now doubling down on the RE2 / DMCV engine, which (currently) automatically excludes the Switch and we just get port-o-rama from them, though I hope at least there will be a Rockman 12 coming for the Switch at least with the positive reception of Rockman 11.
Though I get it, Dev cycles are not something that are done quick, especially with Switch being only 3 months into year 3 and the not so flattering sales of the Wii U some companies might have been (too) cautious, but I really hope still for some out of the blue surprises during the E³, so I still look forward to June 11th (and I will deliberately hold from the internet until I can watch the direct late at night after work).
I had gotten rid of my PS3 by the time this came out. Day one buy for me!
Use to be day one back in the days, now I ll consider with a steep discount.
Amazing news. I never had a PS3 and the DS version was Japan exclusive. Too bad it's announced at the same time as a remastered version for PS4. They should have launched the remastered version on Switch too.
Day one!!! Yesssss so many JRPGs, I love it!
Day 1 on switch rather then PS4 for me.
Sounds good to me! Gladly add this to the list of games to buy!
@Firelork that remastered edition is probably about 4k support, mabye HDR or RTX, well something the Switch would never achieve, so no point in releasing it on the Switch
@retro_player_22 Well, it did grace a Nintendo console back in the day, only we didn't get it in the west.
Been hoping for this for a while. Fingers crossed for a physical release, as this is the kind of game I'll want to keep for years to come.
@BlackenedHalo and maybe 60fps. 900p docked 30fps i'm guessing
Amazing looking/feeling game but i hated the battle system. I hated the monster training thing, it would have been perfect with simple dragon quest style battles.
For crying out loud chaps. All you need to put on the front page is, ‘Major Bandai Namco Remaster Leaked For Switch’. This is spoiling E3 up the wazoo and, while I agree that as a news site you should report on it, the way you’ve presented it on your front page was entirely unnecessary. 😠
Excellent. This is in my pile of shame as I bought it on PS3 when it was £4 or something daft. However as the PS3 is now in the Gym/Garage as a Media player I’ll buy it on Switch, where I’ll actually play it.
We of course should have gotten the remaster, but thank goodness its coming at all. I think its great news, hopefully there's also a retail version!
Yes, please (heard awesome things about it)
Switch is the first Nintendo console that I’ve bought loads of third party titles for. This will be included! I’m super excited about this and the Welsh lantern nose thing!
Sign me up. Hope there is a physical version.
This and Persona 5 were my most wanted PS3 ports. I own both but don’t get time to play them on the big screen, so Day 1 for me!
@Firelork remarkable sense of humour, sir. And when a game is originally in 720p/1080p (the general PS3 fare from what I've read), what is there to remaster for a literal 720p/1080p console? Bells and whistles to gape at for an hour tops, then get your eyes used to and completely forget about afterwards? There will be more QoL substance if they possibly throw in some Switch features instead, like HD Rumble or touchscreen support - which a lot of "mere PS3 ports" have been including as it is.
Yes! Being a huge studio Ghibli fan, this was one of the few games I missed out on that I truly regretted. Switch is becoming an JRPG paradise.
@Agramonte I’m also really hoping the Tales of Arise is able to make it to the Switch.
Well, tbf it was originally on the DS before the expanded version on ps3. Also, if they're adding any extras to the remastered versions then they need to be on the switch port realistically. I'm hoping for the sequel, too.
Yes! Always wanted to play this.
But PLEASE have the option for the original voices. I can't stand this 'Oi! Guv'na my motha is just aboit to slap you silly! Betta watch yer mouth eh?'.
@Firelork Nope, that's because the Switch cannot run the remastered version, but can run the PS3 original.
Oh Snap. Ni no kuni is back with nintendo. Sweet! I can stop clutching the ds game like a sacred treasure.
It's the year of the RPG on Switch. Vesperia, DQ11, FF7,9,10,10+2,12, Fire Emblem, This, probably the Witcher 3, all those Rune Factory 4, Steam WOrld Quest, Onikaki (or ois it Okinaki?), Town, Pokemon...
...Hey Konami, did you notice Suikoden isn't on the Switch yet and you've been making all these collections for your games?
Oh man, I sunk hundreds of hours into this on the PS3; clocking the bejeezus out of it. I have absolutely no need to ever play this again. Yet it is such an unbelievably beautiful game, to have it on the Switch... I don't think I'll be able to resist!
This is great news, honestly I'm not that bothered its not a remaster its such a beautiful classic game anyway.
Well since I have a PS4 and a Switch I'm going to opt for the remaster on PS4 instead of a straight up port. Kind of like how I'm getting Dragon Quest XI on Switch instead of PS4 since it has more bells and whistles.
I'm really excited for this, I've been looking to play this game for a long time! It'll be like playing in a Miyazaki film
The remaster is in 4K and 7.1 surround sound @Firelork something the Switch isn't capable of. So we get the original 1080p and 5.1 surround sound. So it's not a remake, just a remaster with a higher resolution and better surround sound.
I've been jealous of Ps3 players and wanting this game for years now!
Yeah, I'll probably get it. Hopefully a physical release?
before anyone gets heated over the fact that this isn't the REMASTERED version for PS4/XB1/PC
According to several reports from sites like Eurogamer, the only difference between the Switch version and the "remastered" version is that the "remaster" has the addition of 4K/HDR resolution support
I have PS4, but will get this version. Having the ability to play on the go is the reason, even if it is not the remastered version.
Have it on Ps3 been wanting to play it again anyway... Day one for me!!!
I think the remastered version is simply a resolution bump with better performance, with no new content.
If that's indeed the case, I'll probably get the NSW version. I never played the original, and I haven't heard great things about its sequel, so I'll give this a go.
Whether or not its a ps3 port the fact we're getting it portable more than enough for me.
@Lemmy_the_Koopa Yeah, I still need to play Y's. Here is Hoping for a Y's NOX TGS announcement 🤞
I played Dragon Quest IX (I am not good at waiting for things LOL!!) and you gona love it. Great game - type of "3rd party" the switch deserves.
I have... Metroid, FE, Astral Chains, BAYO3 on pre-order. That is it.
Getting Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden and VAMPYR. But those not really big exciting games. For me they fill
Time I can carve out to play games - I never use it to play a game I already played. Even less when it is a story based game like this.
@Agramonte I get you at your last comment, despite my wishlist my time is limited and I am soooooo thankful the Switch is portable, as I commute often, or can enjoy a lil' half an hour or so, while slowly waking up. Though that is why I really want to see more unique titles. But alas, let's see what the future brings. Quietly hoping Nintendo is still King of making your jaws drop on the E³! And maybe even the direct will highlight a gamez that flew hard under my radar, who knows!
@Lemmy_the_Koopa Yep!... Nintendo themselves are doing a great job on Switch.
They will have an amazing E3 I think.
@Agramonte just hopefully those leakers dont ruin any more surprises.
@Firelork Who's Bamco?
This game was an intensely disappointing encounter for me, and I am unsure if it's even possible for them to fix it in a rerelease.
The sequel is said to be much better, but I'm not sure I trust the people who say so.
I can’t recommend this game enough. It’s one of the most charming RPGs I’ve ever played.
Oh my gosh. I have been waiting for this announcement for so long. Never have i played this game because of never owning a console that supported the game. I love you nintendo switch.
I'm interested. I played Ni No Kuni 2 and kinda liked it, I wasn't amazed though. I heard the first entry has a bit more charm so I'm looking forward to trying it.
I played the second game and why the graphics where much better than the first a lot of people said the gameplay of the 1st was a lot better. And the 1st one is hard as nails so i hear and a friend was begging me to sell him my ps3 so i did and missed out on this, i be getting this when it comes out.
Meh not bothered really want better games like Metroid
Day one. I'll be all over this
@ALinkToMyProfile that's what i'm missing in the 2nd game as well. But building a Town is kinda cool and love that future. But on charming level a tad less quality what the first game offered. To me it felt more magical as well the whole adventure in first game. A bit of that was missing as well and at least when you leveled up you saw how much points went to the higher stats after level up. Now you just battle in 2nd game and suddenly a level up pops and that's it. It took away that part from the first one and I was missing it. I want to see how much better I got. Give me the excitement... all gone. Now i have to take a picture before the level up so I can see my self what exactly did improve. You know after the battle they could've given at least some status screen...
Really enjoyed the original so this is good news, even if the other consoles are getting a "better" version. The original is still beautiful today anyway.
So the switch is not even getting the remaster? And it's not even getting enhanced resolution or features? no thanks, i don't encourage lazy publishers. i swear if it's full price people will defend it because it's portable.
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