PQube has now confirmed the western Switch release date for Bustafellows, the "steamy and thrilling" visual novel that first launched in Japan back in 2019.
Thankfully, otome fans don't have long to wait before they get stuck in, as the game will hit the eShop and retail stores on 30th July. The game has you stepping into the shoes of "a strong, smart, and gifted journalist embroiled in a life and death adventure." You'll find yourself jumping back in time – and then into the bodies of other people – to collect clues, press witnesses, and protect your friends.
Here's an official description:
"With romance, mystery, and dangerous relationships, BUSTAFELLOWS follows our heroine, Teuta, a young, independent journalist on a mission to maintain order and justice after the harrowing murder of her brother years ago.
"Become embroiled in a thrilling plot about love, loss, fear, and fortune as you strive to save the life of your friends.
"Use your trusty notepad to record clues and key pieces of information, solve critical puzzles and navigate complex relationships as you journey into this sizzling interactive mystery."
As it turns out, "navigating complex relationships" involves romancing no less than five men including a crooked lawyer, a hitman, and others who sound just as desirable. Every decision you make matters, as your choices can unlock multiple endings and side missions.
The physical edition of the game will launch across Europe and the US, and there's even an exclusive limited edition which comes with all the goodies pictured below.
Interested in this one? Will you be adding it to your wishlist or grabbing a pre-order? Let us know below.
Please note that some external links on this page are affiliate links, which means if you click them and make a purchase we may receive a small percentage of the sale. Please read our FTC Disclosure for more information.
Comments 25
Oh boy, MORE visual novels.
The switch has having too much this year. Anyway this doesn’t really look interesting to me.
Might as well save up for the Great Ace Attorney Chronicles
Ah otome game.. not a fan of it.. sigh
@anoyonmus I'm not sure if that's a joke or not.
Doesn't PW count as a visual novel of sorts?
Regardless, I have no interest in that game, though that title is actually kinda funny.
So you play as a time-travelling (and body hopping) journalist who solves mysteries and can romance crooked lawyers, hitmen, and the like? Sounds like a lot of fun. The character art and production values look solid as well.
I won't be getting it at launch with so many visual novels I'm interested in coming out in short succession, but it's definitely going high up on my wishlist.
@Kalmaro well yes, Phoenix Wright AA trilogy is a visual novel.
What I meant, is that WE ARE GETTING TOO MANY VISUAL NOVELS THIS YEAR.
First we got the 2 famicom detective club games, then this game, then the Silver Case 2425, then the Great AA Chronicles.
We have too much of these types of fames but oh well.
I am more looking forward to picking up the AA games (trilogy and chronicles)
@anoyonmus I don’t really think you can complain about there being too many visual novels on Switch. Especially considering that it’s a tiny tiny fraction of the number of visual novels on PC.
@nessisonett for a console, the switch has too many
80 hours?? That’s a long novel!!
steamy in Switch means clouded with steam when there's a shower scene.
@anoyonmus Actually we should be thankful the Switch is getting more and more of them. Because almost all Visual Novels a few years back either released on PC or the PSP/Vita or both. Even when the Vita was struggling publishers still opted to put their VNs on it despite the 3DS selling a whole lot more. The PSP and Vita were the niche VN machine in Japan aside from PC.
Shovelware is one thing, but you can never have too many from a single genre. Options are good. Might not be a win for you (not sure why you're affected by the volume in the first place. It's not like all Visual Novel devs and publishers churn out shooters or RPGs, or rather, not every dev and pub churn out VNs) but a sure win for VN fans.
"Bustin' makes me feel good!"
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
@anoyonmus How many visual novels would you say the Switch should get a year?
Not sure why people would click on an obvious otome game article to complain about visual novels. 🤔 I have a hard time making time for them, and I have this contradictory want to listen to all the voice acting but also I read really fast and lose patience when I have to wait for the game. I still haven't even really dipped my toes in Steins;Gate, and I've had it for years
An 80h long visual novel? That sounds like something for me.
@Kieroni
Sadly, these days people can’t help but complain about things that they have nothing to do with, or any interest in.
They should just move along.
@anoyonmus Never understood complaints like this. Every good game added to the system's library only makes it better. You, of course, aren't obligated to buy them.
I don't care about shmups, but I'd never say the Switch has "too many" of them. I'm sure fans of the genre are overjoyed at the level of choice they have, and I'm free to ignore them. Everyone wins.
I don't usually play reverse harem Visual Novels, but hey it's 80 hours! Hopefully it's worth the time.
@Ralizah
Exactly. It's not like releasing these types of games more than once in a single year will affect the release of other games in different genres.
The only time I'll say "there're too many <insert genre> here" is when the front page of the eShop is just full of them and I can't comfortably search others. But at that point I'm already complaining at the lack of proper categorization in the store rather than the volume of games of that genre.
@anoyonmus It’s just silly to say there’s too many of one genre. Shovelware is different though as that’s indicative of quality.
@Kieroni Haha I've no idea it's otome game from the thumbnail. Love VN but not too fond of otome game (despite being a girl.. lol).
I shouldn't complain since many others might love it.. my bad. Switch/PSP/Vita is really nice to play visual novel.. love to play it when I'm on the train to work.
I am happy that this is getting released for the people who were looking forward to a potential western release.
@anoyonmus actually I would want to see more VNs, because compared to ton and ton and ton of other great games the Switch is getting, VNs are just a very small part of it.
In other words, even if the Switch got as much VNs PC is getting each year, which is much and much more, even then that would be nothing compared to all the other great games Switch is already getting each year.
If anything I would complain more about all these (real) shovelware mobile ports the switch is getting lately.
I am down with VNs in general. These days, I want to take Aaron Rogers' advice (in regards to playing video games) and R E L A X when I fire up my Switch. DOOM and Fortnite always stressed me out. I'm going the opposite direction.
it would be nice if we got male/male VNs too. Why do those still not appear?
I enjoy VNs occastionally. Though who do I need to blackmail to get Danganronpa on Switch?
@Rayquaza2510 ig.
I would want to see this one called Doki Doki Literature Club comes to switch
@anoyonmus Doki Doki wouldn't work as well on console, because a big part of the charm comes from looking at how the actual files on your computer are being corrupted by Monica.
Show Comments
Leave A Comment
Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...