Ori and the Will of the Wisps is launching later today on Nintendo Switch, it has been confirmed.
The news was announced in today's Nintendo Direct Mini: Partner Showcase, where it was also revealed that we'll be getting treated to a very fancy Ori Collectors release thanks to iam8bit. It's pretty pricey at $150, but it includes physical copies of both Ori games and does look nice, we must say. You can pre-order it now if you're interested. Here's what it includes:
- Premium “Transforming” display box with glow-in-the-dark finish
- Majestic stained glass-style art piece
- “The Flora & Fauna of Ori” field guide
- Sketchbook zine featuring rarely seen production art
- Collectible art card set
- Hard enamel glow-in-the-dark pin
- Digital downloads of both titles’ soundtracks, composed by Gareth Coker
- Physical editions of Ori and the Will of the Wisps and Ori and the Blind Forest, featuring exclusive, reversible cover art
Developed by Moon Studios and published by Xbox Game Studios, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a Metroidvania-style platformer previously exclusive to Microsoft systems. The game received universal acclaim on other systems, and will no doubt be a wonderful fit on Switch.
The little spirit Ori is no stranger to peril, but when a fateful flight puts the owlet Ku in harm’s way, it will take more than bravery to bring a family back together, heal a broken land, and discover Ori’s true destiny. From the creators of the acclaimed action-platformer Ori and the Blind Forest comes the highly anticipated sequel. Embark on an all-new adventure in a vast world filled with new friends and foes that come to life in stunning, hand-painted artwork. Set to a fully orchestrated original score, Ori and the Will of the Wisps continues the Moon Studios tradition of tightly crafted platforming action and deeply emotional storytelling.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps will be available digitally for $29.99 / €29.99 when it launches later today.
Let us know if you're excited to check this one out on Switch with a comment below.
Comments 104
NOW THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR
This and Balan Wonderworld made me love this direct.
Didn’t they say a few weeks ago that there was almost no way this was coming to switch. Very sneaky of them.
Hopefully they sell lone physical copies for this one, looks absolutely worth it.
Edit: just checked the website they provided in the Direct. They are not offering physical copies aside from the collectors edition.
Edit 2: iam8bit confirmed via Twitter that standard retail editions of the game will be available later this year. That's a relief.
... I think I'm going to faint!
I'd love to buy that special edition but $150 is a bit much after preordering a PS5 so I'll just buy the digital version today.
Another Microsoft exclusive to come on the Switch. Me like.
Still haven't played the first Ori game, but I enjoy metroidvania titles so prolly gonna try this one too.
This must be Microsoft's way of showing us they still love the Switch.
Well I already decided long ago that my next console will be the upcoming Xbox, whatever the PS5 does, I'll throw my support behind Microsoft and as always Nintendo.
@HotGoomba Lag is probably going to kill the experience for you, this game has some very tricky parts that require a lot of timing, specially boss sequences. It's not really the product to be enjoyed through streaming.
I ordered that collector's edition so quickly.
...So pricey, though.
I really need to get around to playing the first game one of these days.
I'm curious about resolution and frame rate.
@rushiosan Good point! I'll play on Switch or Xbox One then. Thanks for the suggestion!
This made the presentation for me, as if the other reveals weren't already really interesting (even if they weren't necessarily for me). Trying to find the non-collector's edition physical since the Ori Twitter seems to be showing a separate one with different cover art compared to the collector's edition...
Regardless of its eShop price, Ori and the Will of the Wisps and Hades will be on my Switch today!
This week is killing my wallet... PS5 preorder, this collectors edition, new pokemon center skateboard next week.. mario 3d collection.. ouch haha
I'll grab it down the line but not today. All about mario this week.
Yes!! This must be the second best thing they could have announced.. The best would be Silksong but this will certainly make the wait better:)
I mean...
I want the games...
But $150 plus shipping for the games is...
Keeping an eye on the live blog while I'm working, Monster Hunter: Yawn, Fitness Boxing: Yawn, Disgaea: Yawn, etc.
ORI: OMG!
Even though I thoroughly enjoyed the first one, I haven't bought Will Of The Wisps on Xbox One (mainly because the storage is full) and didn't expect to ever play it because Microsoft said it wouldn't be released on Switch. So I surprised myself at how excited I was to see the name pop up on the live bog.
I am so excited to download this, I just wish it wasn't the day before I plan on investing dozens of hours into beating three Mario games!
Ah well, this will be a nice pallet cleanser when I am done
This was a wonderful surprise.
I'm seriously considering this to be the first collector's edition i ever buy. This ***** floored me when it got announced, i love both games so much and to think they said a port wouldn't be possible...man. I'm just speechless and it made my day. I don't know if developers read through this, but i might contact them directly to tell them how thankful i am for this.
SO HAPPY ABOUT THIS!
@Citano Played and finished this game because it was on game pass and I got a 3 month trial code with the CPU I bought and it's a wonderfull game I wonder how it runs on the switch though.
@kennykenny so this indie game doesn't do it for you? It's one of the best
Pre-orders are up!
Amazing looking special edition. But..... 150 dollar.....
https://www.iam8bit.com/collections/ori
@Citano The first Ori is a great game, but it's waaayy more a platformer than a Metroidvania
@khululy the first game ran great on Switch. I will definitelybe getting this,but it may have to wait a while. the backlog is too long as is 😄
If I could spare $150, Ori would definitely be worth every penny.
£160 with the duty paid delivery option.
Not getting it now as my focus is squarely on Mario for the foreseeable, but I'll be picking this up. Normally choose physical over digital, but not at that price.
@PlayedNSlayed I'm getting concerned about the length of the backlog, as well as the games I started but moved on before finishing but still intend to finish. BUT I think everything will have to move one place down the list now this is coming.
@Tangerine Ouch! Seems like a missed opportunity to not sell a standard physical edition.
This game was amazing! I played it via Game Pass via Xbox One X and well as my Surface Book 2 (thanks Xbox Play Anywhere) and it was a smooth experience on both.
Pretty awesome that Switch is getting a release - especially since I believe it was said it just wasn't possible with all the enhancements to the new game.
HOW DID I BUY 3 COPIES OF MARIO ALLSTARS... DAMM YOU NINTENDO..... NOW FRIGGAN ORI.... YA NO IM GONNA PAY FOR THE DIGITAL AND PHYSICAL COPYS... SO MUCH MONEY... DAMM YOU NINTENDO.... but seriously thank you nintendo. Thank you so much. My life is almost complete. 🤑🤑
I knew it would happen. Great news! As always I wait for a discount, but I'll definitely download it someday.
So this is both games right for the collector's edition?
@graysoncharles well, I don’t mind
We all knew in our hearts that Ori just fits very well on Switch. Matter of time, really.
Great news, but this will have to wait. Too many new games coming out.
@rushiosan streaming? I've been playing the game through streaming with no trouble.
I stream just about all of my games now
Knew this was coming!
@Lugazz I think Ori's whole design philosophy is to be a Metroidvania that's designed more like a platformer
@Blooper987
Yeah. Last I read they said it wouldn't run on the Switch.
Wonder what concessions they made to get it on there? I'll be interested to read the reviews to see.
Great game... just stunning art. If you liked the 1st one, this is a must buy! And only $29 digital.
How did so many people "know"?
I didn't know, but I am very pleased about the news.
@Citano Ori 1 is a marvelous game, and the Switch edition is amazing.
I haven't tried this one yet, but O can't wait to play it after the other one.
@georgesdandre exactly.
I'm stoked this game is coming as MS stated in several instances that it was going to stay locked to XBox, but this piece of news will give a lot of people a field day.
There's enough people spreading misinformation purely based on conjecture and opinion as it is, so the fact that MS ended up contradicting themselves will only justify more conjectures based on nothing.
@HotGoomba That is the kind of comment I wanna see... I was on the other thread (of MH) and some ppl they hated this mini direct.. really... My only complaint is... with alll the games they announced before we could have had a very good general nintendo direct... mario paper, pikmin, hyrule warriors and now this direct... but like you I really enjoyed this direct!
Haha, just two months after the technical art director said that they were doing things in the game that the Switch definitely would struggle to keep up with. ^_^
And I mean, they probably aren't wrong. But here it is!
I have not played the first game yet.
This was the highlight of the Partner Direct for me. I loved Ori and the Blind Forest and thought it was only a matter of time before Will of the Wisps made the Switch.
This is one surprise I'm glad wasn't leaked. Unless I conveniently missed a rumor.
I'd like to have these physical and would have gladly paid for regular non-special editions. I wonder if those may be announced at later time. With shipping to Europe this special edition is 200 USD. Still tempted though...
@Pod a cunning move by the devs!
I have yet to play the first game but's always been on my radar. Maybe I'll play them back-to-back now.
Wow, I have to say that partner showcase was actually very enjoyable! It's so nice to go in with low expectations!
I got to admit, that was a very solid direct. Nintendo has been delivering the goods as of late. The Ori announcement was awesome. Now just waiting on the ETA for Doom Eternal and the evitable announcement of Fall Guys and Tony Hawk 1 and 2 on the console.
@Haida hooray for retail versions! Let’s hope they print more than 50 copies so we can actually get hold of one!
Also, the continuation of Microsoft letting exclusives go to other platforms is a sign, in my mind, that the X Box Series S/X will be the last consoles they will ever create. I believe they are moving into a direction where they will provide the Game Pass/XCloud bundle and it will be available on whatever platform you game on, whether that be PC, PlayStation, XBox or Switch. Similar to how Netflix went from mailing DVDs to a streaming service, Microsoft is doing the same thing with XBox.
Only available until 31/03/2021 ...
@Haida Hopefully that's a physical version of BOTH of them with that matching box art (or reversible), because the collector's edition is very tempting but no way am I going to spend that amount of money on even these 2 games.
At this point Microsoft is one of Nintendo's biggest 3rd party developers...and I like it.
Not worried about backlog if I get it. It is not due to ship until sometime in Dec 2020, 3 months from now. Should be finished with Super Mario All-Stars hopefully by then or close to it.
One of the games of the year. Tempted to double dip... in the same year... it's that good!
Only caveat is framerate could dip heavily on Xbox what's it like on Switch?
@Arnold-Kage Yes, both games are in the CE
If this game runs like the first Ori on Switch, I'll just tell you to buy it. It's awesome. Much bigger map than the previous game, tons of abilities to unlock, an ability equipping system that's much more functional and gives players more gameplay possibilities that the first game. A masterpiece!
I believe the developers didn’t say the Switch couldn’t handle the game, I believe they said they likely couldn’t hit the silky 60 FPS of the first Switch port.
The first game was sooooo good on Switch I HAVE to get this! Mario is coming tomorrow though, but I will have this in time. Excellent announcement!
Didn’t Microsoft specifically use the words: never and technically impossible, when asked about bringing this game to Switch?
@LukeLand I’d pre order this over a PS5 100 times out of 100. I’ll be leaving PS5 until the slew of PS4 game deluxe versions have stopped and there a decent amount of games worth playing that are otherwise inaccessible without a PS5. I’d give it 2-3 years, exactly like the PS4.
@LillianC14 😂 no you didn’t
@kingbk I severely doubt that. They’ve spent billions developing a hardware brand for 20 years.
Damn so the only way to get a physical copy of this game is through iam8bit? Damn you Microsoft. Knowing iam8bit those idiots doesn't sell standard physical copy once it's part of a collector's edition so this is just lame. Will not be buying this until I had money then.
Games Industry...take note, surprise announcements with the wording, available later today, accompanying said announcement, we need this more often. Please!
I bought Ori digitally on Switch, I'll buy the sequel as well, but im also getting that collectors edition. Its gorgeous, and the first collectors edition I've seen in ages that looks justified.
Wow, that’s great that it’s coming to Switch after all! This was one of the games that made it tempting for me to pre order an Xbox Series S, but now that it’s on Switch I might not have to get an Xbox after all. I’m sure the Xbox Series X and S will be great consoles with plenty of great games, but with this news, I might end up just sticking with a Nintendo Switch and a PS5. Personally, that’s more than enough for me — especially now that both Ori games are on Switch.
@TekSone It was confirmed Blind Forest and Will of the Wisps are getting standard Switch retail releases at "select retailers" later this year.
So what we're saying is that there's at least a chance of perfect dark
60 FPS confirmed: https://twitter.com/OriTheGame/status/1306600468341288960?s=20
@PikaPhantom Who confirmed that? Link please.
@Haida Hey I don't have Twitter, did they really say they were releasing both physically as standard editions at some point in the future for the Switch? I can't justify spending $150.00 for these but I'd spend $60 no problem.
What?! I thought this was Microsoft exclusive.
This looks incredible, even more reasons not to buy an Xbox. Bring us gears and I will be happy 😊
Now we have the good Ori on switch
Collectors edition is great but can’t afford that, I hope they are doing standard versions. A lot of people are saying they are, but no one will say where their source is. Or where the ‘Selected Retailers’ are. It better be available to UK/EU
Edit (3 hours later): ok just seen on Twitter iam8bit have confirmed that separate standard issues are being released later in the year
@N8tiveT3ch well... Microsoft didn’t develop this game... they just published it. But yeah, I get what you mean.... now... Banjo Kazooie please???!!!
@PikaPhantom Thank you for that confirmation, that heals the wound a bit then.
@HotGoomba I wish I could share your enthusiasm for Balan Wonderworld. I LOVE 3D platformers - but only if the physics are good, and this, speaking frankly looks to have some of the worse movement physics I've seen since the worst of the late 90s 3D platformers. Also some of those protagonist models are just awkwardly modelled/shaped. It looks in need of a complete movement redesign.
I was genuinely shocked to see Square Enix's name tied to it. But who knows - maybe it'll play a lot better than it moves.
ORI on the other hand! - wow, just wow!
@gcunit https://twitter.com/OriTheGame/status/1306617379133124608
@PikaPhantom Thank you, you came through for me 🤩 I had started to trawl through the Twitter feed but got distracted and now you've saved me the bother.
@Shinobi1Kenobi I completely understand. It is really cool and it will definitely hold its value. I like the Ori games but not $150 worth. There are definitely games that I would spend $150 for a limited edition for but as much as I like Ori this isn't one of them.
What a nice little surprise. Bought a One X at start of lock down for the sole reason of playing Wisps on Gamepass. What a let down .... Performance issues, crashes, permanent (really bad) frame rate dips really ruined the game for me. Was a shocking condition to release a game in. Just played through it again after patch releases and it's an absolute stunner. Hope the Switch version runs smoothly.
Edit ... Takes 2:10 just to load the title screen. Looks nice enough ... really notice the lower def and jaggy/pixely edges on 4K TV compared to One X version though. Looks nicer in handheld mode. Running smoothly so far. Looks like a great job.
Now that I know Microsoft is still putting games out on the Switch, how about Rare Replay?
https://twitter.com/OriTheGame/status/1306617379133124608
Thank you!!! I can't wait to pick up the standard physical editions
@The_Pixel_King Hades is awesome
Dryest year in history and they pick this week to drop the game? I'm still excited and already bought it, just thinking how much better sales would have been if they got it out a week ago or earlier.
I already purchased it. It looks and plays gorgeous. Thanks to Nintendo, Microsoft and Moon Studios (and iam8bit apparently) for making this possible!!
What's with the loading time to get to the title screen?
Okay, now this was a literal surprise. The game's been out for some months for PC and Xbox One, and now it's coming to Switch really soon! I remember the devs saying it would be very challenging to make it run at 60fps. Now that it's out...
@Razer
You’re making a good choice on the Xbox Series X. I have been planning on upgrading to one from my One X but the combination of COVID economic woes, the likely ‘new console’ availability issues leading up to Christmas, and my satisfaction mostly coming from the Switch means I’ll likely wait a bit longer.
@TekSone
Sweet have to hope I be able to buy it then
This announcement literally made me scream with joy (I was scrolling glumly through another crappy-seeming partners showcase and then just lost my mind when I saw this). Ori and the Blind Forest is one of my favourite games ever, and I seriously thought we were never going to see the sequel on Switch, because I thought it wouldn't be powerful enough to handle it. I really wish I could get that physical edition but it's just too pricey. I couldn't even wait for the standard edition and immediately bought the digital, as I plan to start playing it this weekend.
@AlexSwitch10 Yes they did. They directly answered the same question for someone. And I think that it would be safe to assume this game might be in the $30-$40 range.
@Haida Thanks for the reply. That's great news about the physical editions and I'm very excited.
@dionysos283 it's freaking rock solid at 60fps. Really is a phenomenal port just like the first.
@Kang81 yes!!! I pre-ordered that beautiful collectors edition. I also have both digitally on the switch now and xbox. Only two games and both are truly masterpiece works of art. I hope microsoft buys them. Amazing talent from that small team.
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