Starting from next week, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers in Japan will be able to enjoy Celeste - in its entirety - at no extra charge.
The game is the latest to be offered up in a string of free, limited-time releases available to subscribers, which has already included the likes of Fire Emblem Warriors and Dead Cells. Celeste will become playable from 12:00 JST on 18th May, and players will be able to access it up until 18:00 JST on 24th May, providing them with a full week to play as much or as little as they like.
For anyone who likes what they see and wants to add the game to their library on a permanent basis, a sale will also be held. During the promotion, Japanese players will be able to buy the game at 50% off (1,080 yen instead of 2,160 yen).
If you're not from Japan but want to try Celeste for yourself, there are workarounds. We made a guide on the topic for the Fire Emblem Warriors offer, and the same tricks will apply for Celeste when the promotion goes live. Celeste's an absolute cracker by the way, so we'd urge you to pick it up regardless:
The Nintendo Life Review: "Celeste is an exemplary amalgamation of style, mechanics and character. A devilishly brilliant action platformer with enough skill required to excite genre purists and the speed running community, while at the same time featuring a breakdown of gameplay elements to customize and cater for all audiences."
[source topics.nintendo.co.jp]
Comments 53
Okay, yes, we need more of this. They need to help promote their online since, right now, it's probably their weakest selling point.
It's a nice promotion, but I got the PC version for free ages ago.
I wouldn't complain if they did this more often in Europe though!
Doesn't everyone already own this game?
Why is this not a thing in all regions and more often for Nintendo Switch Online? And why do they not rebrand this as the Nintendo Online Service?
@UmbreonsPapa Each time Japan's had a free game trial, NA and Europe usually follows with their own trial not long after. So far we've had Mario Tennis and ARMS.
In my opinion it's easily the best 2D platformer ever made so the more people who get the chance to experience it the better. Hopefully some of those who enjoy it during the promotion end up picking it up as it deserves every sale it gets.
They should try and do similar promotions in the West. I recently cancelled my Switch online sub as it simply wasn't worth paying money for something I barely used. The few online games I play on Switch are free to play.
Am I the only one who just thinks the game is ok? I played maybe 30 to 40 minutes of it and it's just not my kinda game. Should I be playing deeper into the game or is it really more of the same as far as gameplay goes?
Better than a kick in the tits, for sure.
@Spoony_Tech I've probably played about the same and of a similar mind. I imagine it must draw the player in more as you progress, given the reputation it has, but in terms of gameplay it seems pretty similar to the host of other 2D 'tricky' platformers around nowadays.
I should clarify, it's not that I've decided the game is not for me, but it seems so similar gameplay-wise to a few other platformers I've played in recent years, and nothing else about the game has so far shown me that it's special.
They really need to do this more often. The classic games are great and all but they should be throwing in at the least an indie game a month for subscribers. Value just isnt there when compared to plus/gold imo.
@Spoony_Tech I finished the main game and did a good amount of the extra content and I must say it is a very well made game and I liked it but I didn't love it the way some people seem to. I have no desire to ever go back to it, unlike for example the way I do with a Mario game
Not to be one of those people, but wouldn’t it be nice to have the game a bit longer than a week. Maybe 2/3 weeks. Most people can leave. Plus I wouldn’t mind investing as much time I could than rush the game
that's enough time to beat the game but still i highly recommend a purchase to relive it!
@OorWullie I know there's been some. But I feel like Japan has gotten way more offerings for this aspect of the NSO than any other region. And I get it. It's Japan. But it's one of those little things that adds up to the idea that as a whole, Nintendo really just doesn't give a s**t about online and are just half assing it to shut people up. I don't usually grumble about these things and I get the sentiment about the cost of it versus other services and what's offered.
I guess it would be different if there seemed to be a clear direction on where they want to go with NSO. I'm not talking specifics. But a general idea and we aren't even given that. This gives the impression they aren't really all in on online and It's like a hobby they decide to tinker with every once and while or have some overworked intern in charge of and his objective is to just don't royally screw up
Edit: Sorry for the rambling rant, lol
@sketchturner after that $5 sale, you'd think so
This is cool, but if you haven't played Celeste you should just buy it because it's amazing.
@Spoony_Tech It sounds like you gave it a fair shake. It doesn't get much different the further in you get. Don't get me wrong it introduces new mechanics regularly to keep the gameplay fresh but if you have found it more frustrating than enjoyably challenging up to this point then that is unlikely to change the further you get so I wouldn't suggest persevering. Why not watch a speedrun instead? It will blow your mind to see how the elite players can utterly destroy what is a crushingly difficult game.
I've played the game and it's ok... But nice to think Nintendo is doing something like this.
@gcunit It reminds of the VVVVVV game years ago everyone liked. I bought it thinking I might like it and only played maybe 15 minutes. Never really cared for that style of game tbh.
@sketchturner nope, I for one haven't gotten around to downloading it yet.
@Spoony_Tech You are not alone. I played it and beat it. While I can say it's a well made game and I don't regret playing it...for me it was just fine. Didn't leave much of a lasting impression on me and I don't have an urge to replay it or do any of the content that was released since I beat it.
@Spoony_Tech I really like the game. Has a fun story and character interaction. The controls are top notch. And the stages are really well made. But I can't say I'm convinced it's one of the greatest games of all time and I can understand why it may not click with everyone or may not reach the lofty standards some put it up at. But then again, I've played about 5 hours and haven't gotten back to it due to other games popping back up
@Spoony_Tech ooooooohhhh, VVVVVV is amazing!
It's really really hard though, and usually I'm not that into that sort of games, so I can definitely understand why it didn't click with you.
My favorite thing about VVVVVV was the game world and the way it's all interconnected, more than the actual difficulty.
Don't get me wrong, I like challenging games but that's pretty much the same with Dark Souls for example: I put 30 hours in it and loved it, but I hit a brick wall and haven't picked it up again.
And it's a shame because the world design is Dark Souls' strongest asset too, in my opinion.
Hidden gem comments in 3... 2...
I have bought Celeste, beat it, but I don't think it's that good. Not bad at all, just overrated.
@gcunit @Spoony_Tech If you don't like it, don't force yourself to play to the end but I would say give it another shot. Each level does introduce new gimmicks and mechanics to the point that some areas do become closer to puzzles than anything else. I think it's a much better game than something like VVVVV, Super Meat Boy, or even The Messenger.
Next to BoTW and Transistor this is probably my favorite game on Switch. I regularly will just pop it on to play a few levels.
Great that NSO is branching out like this. It desperately needs more content.
Heard the game was great but never tried it due to those horrendous graphics. I have a Japanese account though so I'll give it a whirl.
It’s honestly one of the best games I’ve played in years. The difference between this and Super Meat Boy etc is the depth of character and the hugely personal plot. The DLC is also brilliant and actually reveals the source of Madeline’s trauma and provides some context to the main game.
I am definitely in the minority in saying that I think this game is terrible. The graphics are bad, the story is shallow, and the gameplay doesn't feel good. Glad for everyone else that enjoyed it, but not for me. Slime-san is a far superior option in every way, from the fantastic writing, awesome visuals, fleshed out overworld, and great levels design and bosses. Really recommend that. But, this is a cool promotion. Wish I could have done this instead of buying the game
Played the game.
Beat it.
Really, really loved it.
But like, it stands to reason that it doesn’t click with absolutely everyone, and it’s probably a bit annoying for people who only thought it was ‘okay’ to see the whole world going loopy over it.
But like, I went loopy over it, because I think it’s really wonderfully crafted package. Possibly my favourite platformer ever.
@UmbreonsPapa I agree with everything you said. It does seem like they're doing the absolute minimum they need to to justify the cost. Just look at SNES Online, there's so much potential there. They added online play to SNES games which should be amazing, Super Mario Kart online was something I've wanted for years, yet it's only possible to play with those on your friend list and without any way to contact friends, asking if they want to play it's a complete waste of time. The fact that they added an invite system but made none of their games compatible with it, says it all. Sony and Microsoft would be slaughtered by their fanbase for such a half assed system but with Nintendo, it's expected so they get away with it.
Just picked this up when it was on sale for 5. I thought it might be over hyped but I love it. Honestly even that I bothered to finish it is saying a lot these days, especially since Celeste can be pretty tough
Oh god this makes me angry!I already own it and i don't play it.
I hope they will like it, it's a terrific game. ^^
Best platformer I have ever played and I’ve been playing them since the 90s. But come on Nintendo stop with this extended demo pay 50% later nonsense and just get these great games on the switch online subscription permanently, even if it means bumping up our subscription fee!
Meant to pick it up for 5 bucks on that sale, but forgot as I was busy with some other games. Nice thing is it does go on sale pretty often at least.
I don't like when games are given for free on big stores. It makes little studios very dependant of big megacorps who own these stores.
This is a cool promotion, I'll probably take advantage
A game made in Canada by Canadians, with a Canadian setting, and I cannot purchase a physical copy at retail in the self-same country. (The Messenger also suffers from this problem, of course. Tant pis! Too bad!) Even if I could cross the border right now to purchase it at Best Buy, I would feel rather uncomfortable doing so.
Nintendo and their online services. What a ***** show.
@Deanster101 Buy the game if you want, but don't force everybody else to pay more because you think it's too cheap. I think giving away free games as a standard diminishes the value of the content. Years of PS+ has shown me I don't really care for most of Sony's offerings and I'm wary to spend any money on their online store because with my luck, it will probably be next months free game. The best part about Nintendo's online is it costs 3 times less than Sony or MS. If I can save $40 a year so I can just play my games online, I'll do that, and I can pick and choose specific games that I want to play with my money, rather than just playing whatever they're handing out with the service.
Nice, an 8 bit platform game. Didn't see that before (only 10.000 times).
The only real downside is that this game is SO incredibly good, everyone ought to already own it. And if you don't own it, you're a blemish on humanity. Shame.
I'm glad lots of people could enjoy this game, and that the studio behind it was rewarded for their work.
I love some good platforming with extra challenges. I just finished Hollow Knight, and
MINOR SPOILERS
videos of Celeste remind me of White Palace section
END
That being said, I simply have zero interest in playing Celeste. If the offer was valid in Europe I would try, but I won't bother setting up another account just to download it.
Celeste wasn't for me. I got it and Hollow Knight around the same time Yoshi's Crafted World was released, and that one is one of the best platformers I ever played so Celeste and Hollow Knight had little chance to stand out or to convince.
@Kohaku
But this ones different because of it’s annoying story that tries to make you feel bad about being negative which more often than not you’ll be feeling as the unforgiving pixel perfect level design smashes you into a pulp, it’s like playing a Mario or Megaman game where the level is 95% spikes and tries to make you feel bad for using a p-wing or rush jet.
They need to do more like this for Europe.
@sketchturner yeah except for the 54 million Switch owners that have never played it before
Ok, so I've gone back to my save (last played about a year ago), died a few hundred times while I reminded myself how to get about the screens. There's this little ***** chasing me all the time at the moment, and kills me every time I bump into her. That's not fun. How long do I have to endure that before the ***** goes away?
Great game, but doesnt this just show how biased Nintendo is, look at the great things you get in the My Nintendo Store Japan compared to the rest of the world.
I thought switch was supposed to be a leveler with no region restrictions (which there is if you want those My Nintendo points, not that you can use them on anything good)
@HammerKirby I haven't played it either. Reminds me of when someone said most people have already played Xenoblade Chronicles, I think it barely scraped a million sales on the Wii? And about half a mill on the 3DS? But yeah most people I suppose.
@sketchturner not me! Would like to try this but so many games in my backlog its crazy.still got botw to play. Still got to play my bros namika smitch which he picked up yesterday.
It's started ☺ If you have NSO you can change your account country to Japan to get this. Or perhaps you could use a free 7 day trial ? In which case you could also do this with a separate account ☺
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