After a year of waiting and months of delays, Bayonetta did get a physical release on Switch earlier this week. Not that many people will have been able to get their hands on a copy of course, as the out-of-the-blue drop sold out almost instantly.
Fortunately, Nintendo has confirmed that it plans to perform a physical restock of the game "later this year," with fans now able to register their interest in the title rather than the slap-dash approach that we saw on the company's first attempt.
In the above tweet (thanks, Eurogamer), @NintendoUK apologises for the lack of products the first time around - you can say that again! The first sale lasted for fewer than ten minutes before all of the copies had been sold and, with no pre-orders available, this meant that many who had been waiting all year to get their hands on the game were left disappointed.
Fortunately, this time round seems to be a little more planned. Nintendo has set up an interest form for customers in both the UK and Ireland which will send out an email when the product comes back in stock - let's not pretend that this is going to fix all of the problems of the last launch, but at least it's a start. It should also appear at the following link, should you stumble across this article at a later date:
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The physical release of Bayonetta on Switch comes just weeks after the My Nintendo Store crashed while taking orders for the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Collector's Edition - yet another launch which went up without warning.
We can only assume that the popularity of Bayonetta will increase in the coming weeks thanks to the release of Bayonetta 3 - a title which we described as "an action all-timer and one of the gaming highlights of 2022" in our glowing 10/10 review.
What the future holds for the next stab at releasing the first game remains to be seen. All that we can do, for now, is register and wait...
Have you signed up for Bayonetta updates? Let us know if you are after a physical copy in the comments below!
[source twitter.com, via eurogamer.net]
Comments 46
My Nintendo UK Store need to do better, opening pre-orders without warning during work day hours and offering such small numbers has caused so much frustration recently.
If you're willing to import, JP copies of Bayonetta 1 with English language support are available on sites like Play-Asia.
https://www.play-asia.com/bayonetta-english/13/70fky3
Well depending on how many copies were actually available Bayonetta might be jumping into the top 40 in this weeks UK charts which will be a novelty.
I may be missreading but bhy lock the physical copies behind the My Nintendo Store in the first place?
Nintendo make it so difficult to give them money... I buy physical and even that they sometimes manage to mess up!
Or our European friends could import copies from Murica or Japan.
Don't need it. I have it double, on Switch(digital) and in 2K for PS4 with Vanquish
Wtf are they doing on that website? The Xenoblade 3 thing was an utter shambles and it seems like they haven’t learned from their mistakes at all.
I’ve been fortunate enough over the years to preorder pretty much everything I’ve wanted from them, but they’ve really been taking the p*ss the last few months.
I cancelled my Bayo 3 with MNS due to the Xenoblade 3 situation then I found out later that they were shipping Bayo 3 with an exclusive Steelbook… Would’ve kept the order if I’d actually known that, but their website is abysmal.
@PessitheMystic
That's a typical My Nintendo Store strategy for their big releases; add bonus items to their games closer to the release date.
Especially since their prices don't compete with other online stores, but the shipping is at least free.
I have the Bayonetta 3 SteelBook here though, and it's weird. It's a shot of Bayonetta's leg and heel, and the image is too dark so the print quality doesn't look anywhere near as nice as the shop listing.
I did find it silly that there are more copies of the limited edition of the 3rd game.
@Nintendo4Sonic Same, that physical bundle on the PS4 is sweet. Wouldn't mind having the trilogy on switch, but it would always bug me knowing I owned two copies of it on the same format due to it being bundled with the sequel.
Seems like there were problems in many places for this one. I had mine pre-ordered at Amazon, but they cancelled it for no explainable reason and customer support did not provide an answer. Luckily, I was able to go into GameStop and just buy it over the counter.
...
Can I also go on record and say how wince-inducing I had to go from one mega-chain to another just to get a game from a third?
@RupeeClock it would at least be better if they specified what the ‘bonus gift’ was. I know on the homepage right now it says there’s a Steelbook, but look at any other game that mentions a free gift and you’d be hard pressed to know what it actually is!
That’s also disappointing. Sounds like I’m not missing out on much. Will keep an eye on eBay though to see if any surface at a reasonable price. Cheers!
I just grabbed a copy at Best Buy yesterday.
I feel like a see articles like this way too often regarding UK physical copies of Switch games. I am really sorry y'all have to deal with this so often.
Got the Masquerade edition and like Xenoblade Chronicles 2 special edition, I'm very tempted to sell it on, as the game so far isn't gelling with me. Suffering from 3rd game syndrome. Disappointing.
Nintendo are being stingy and greedy at the same time
I clawed my way to a Xenoblade 3 SE but it's because I love that series. I'd like to do the same for Bayonetta but there's no way I'm going through that **** show of a process on the MyNintendo store again. I don't have the same love for Bayonetta as Xenoblade.
I gave up after they went out of stock in under 5mins, after the random drop in the late afternoon. Ordered from Amazon Japan, should be here next week.
I really wanted to buy one. But since I already have the digital version when the Bayo 2 port came out it's so hard to justify double dipping just to get a physical copy. Pretty annoying they made it an eShop exclusive back then.
As a long time physical collector, I'm noticing a big shift recently. I almost paid £250 for a copy of this in Tokyo in April, but now have an order from base, which I'm worried may not come now.
I think it's obvious that we're only a few years away from the 'ALL DIGITAL FUTURE'. I'm glad I've collected a nice batch to play but also sad to see the end of gaming as I know it. I'm very interested to see what happens to the price of physical media as it finally dwindles and completely disappears.
Releases like this one really interest me, because the supplier knows that the fewer copies they print, the more valuable it will become. Even though it should be a cheap release that goes for a little money if there was enough printed.
Is this crossing the line of price fixing? I'd be interested in writing an article or blog about it one day, but maybe some one else is more suited on this site.
I didn't realize this release was handled so poorly over there. I'm a yankee girl so I just went to nab mine on good ole Gamestop before they also sell out here, but dear god. My Nintendo? Somehow makes Gamestop look like the good guy.
I'm glad this came to Best Buy also. Made it easy for me to get a copy day 1. I've never ordered any games from My Nintendo, but after hearing how they handled this and the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Collector's edition release, I'm hesitant to order from them in the future...
It wasn’t that out of the blue. I had my preorder in for it for a while and I managed to get a copy no problem.
I was lucky enough to get a copy in the first wave. I am wondering how many copies were sold. There is not one single listing on ebay & co. I thought they would be learning from the fiasko with the XC3 CE...
@PessitheMystic
Put the item in your basket and bonus item will appear alongside the game. It is strange to not mention it on the listing itself but in the end it is what it is.
Importing mine from Video Games Plus a few days ago, I wasn't confident that my pre-order at Base would ever arrive.
Anyhoo sent out within 24 hours, hopefully be arriving in the next 10 days or so.
They info of restocking physical copies and some people whine about not having physical copies sigh
My Nintendo not having enough stock to meet demand?
@ChopperDX if there’s a way to improve something, then I find it impossible to agree with the statement ‘it is what it is’.
Listing the additional item would be a very simple and easy way to improve things.
Yeah, this was a total disaster.
Got a nice Masquerade Edition sitting here, but I don't have the physical copy of the first game to complete that panorama thing that's inside... great job Nintendo! Not!
I'll register my interest, but I'm sure it'll go up out-of-the-blue again and sell out while I'm asleep, as usual. Been the story of my life with the N64 controller for over a year now >.>
@PessitheMystic we cannot change it. There is nothing to add that it is far from perfect as it is today. They should mention the bonus you get before you/without the need to put it into the cart. We are talking about nintendo here, they are making things wrong since they entered the business almost 40 years ago.
Was a physical version released for ESRB?
@segasonicsteve - Preeching to the choir, there.
I'd still pay for a physical of Good Job! or Stretchers.
@GameOtaku for uk and ireland it was out of the blue. They said late September that they would have an announcement in the first half of October.
The ninto the second half they released a tweet saying that it was on sale during the majority of people's working hours and they were gone in less then 7 minutes.
What Nintendo should have done was when they first announced a physical version was to have preorders open for the game if they wanted it to be a my Nintendo store exclusive.
My European brothers and sisters can still get an NTSC copy, and fairly reasonably too. There’s quite a few out there.
@Dragmire I mean, that’s true but it isn’t the point imo.
People having to import because they can’t buy a copy in their own country, even tho it is technically available, is really annoying and often more expensive (nevermind the scalping practices these days).
It’s different to say, importing because it’s NOT locally available, then I mean, I have no qualms with even if I have to pay a little extra.
My art books and game OST CD’s are like my other fav things to have and because Amazon JP ship worldwide, it’s actually sometimes cheaper or at least the same price with some items surprisingly, even with added shipping fees.
@SilentHunter382 yeah I agree, it’s not 🚀 science to set up preorders to meet demand and then like, I dunno, SELL THEM…. Sigh.
I’d sent recently Nintendo a looong email going over these things and the whole XBC 3 utter nonsense. Not a scathing email nor a diatribe but conveying my honest thoughts, whilst still seeming amiable.
Tho I did throw a few jabs here and there, hinting at their sheer incompetence, inadequacy and faulty business acumen, (sugar coating it here and there to avoid them putting their defences up too quickly), especially when other companies seems to accomplish the same, rudimentary tasks, just fine. Also, the fact that they’re potentially losing out on money too, both the initial potential sales and the reselling by the scalpers.
I looked online for reference, on EBay I saw the XBC 3 CE go from £130 to 150+ and for something that initially cost £30, that is a huge markup and when that money could have been spent on other Nintendo products potentially, I think they should take it more seriously if they do a business loss forecast, because I’d imagine it a fair bit….. but I digress.
Mainly the reason the email was composed is because, after their shop update, I can’t login to my account and hence I can’t order anything. I only managed to get Sparks of Hope via a guest account….
….In hindsight, I maybe shouldn’t have done that because of the practices of Ubisoft that I’d recently read and researched in more depth and was shocked mainly and hmm also disappointed, that Ives was STILL head of the company, spite everything that went down and it probably still does…. (Arlo did a vid on it, hence why I looked into it to more) I’m torn because I want to support the games that use Nintendo characters more and diversify the franchises)
However, I don’t know whether my pokemon and FE orders that I made before the update will be sent out to me…. I pray 🙏 to God that they will….
Also, even tho I’d registered my interest in XBC3, you HAVE to have an account to even TRY to order it. So I was out of luck/favor on several fronts to say least. Another HUGE oversight is that you cannot change ur bank details on already ordered items..
So, I had preordered the Metroid DREAD special edition last year but I had to change my bank information on the order and so I went to the Nintendo website to update there, Sotho the money would not bounce….. but noOOOOooo. I even contacted them and they basically just said “tough luck” by saying to “please try to order it again”, knowing full well that it was sold out and will not be back in stock…. The cheek of it really and plain denial of responsibility because their online infrastructure is ****.
I may sound like I’m whining and complaining, which I don’t think that I am, (but maybe to a degree) as I’m just stating fact, but when all these things are from the same source, multiple people having the same/similar problems, little to no improvement, no communication on the matter and also for the same problems to perpetuate…. It’s no wonder that others feel upset, let down, angry and some individuals just plain quit dealing with a company….. sigh.
Is to too much to ask for them to improve, even if it’s little by little, at least show us a sign Nintendo! Tell us what your positions, thoughts and intents on the matter, really, plus are you working behind the scenes to address our collective worries, not just some placative platitudes that sometimes do more harm than any good because it’s the same old drivel that we hear on a frequent basis…… I hope 🤞 and pray 🙏 so but I’m not holding my breathe, as I cant hold it for long lol.
If you read this far, you get an internet cookie! Hooray!
TLDR Nintendo get ur **** sorted and ur ****-y website too.
@5t3v3n … I know where you’re coming from. The US/Canada market has seen it’s fair share of game releases that were incredibly scarce; but not so in Europe and Japan. Lost Sphear comes to mind.
@Dragmire true, that’s a weird scenario right? Translating a game into 6 languages, including ENGLISH and then not releasing it in the US till later…… yeah I wonder what the modus operandi of these companies are.
However, going forward, they could just release the UK version at the same timeframe as the US/Canada, as we are now out of the EU. However, I don’t think companies see it that way, and only divide by region more so than say language.
I guess because then you have to take into account French speakers in Canada and Spanish in the US etc, it’s probably a logistical nightmare to say the least.
Well we know that RPG’s do really well in Japan, FPS in US and maybe a bit of both in the EU? Dunno really
@Dragmire hmm upon a multiple reads maybe I misinterpreted what you said, could you expound and clarify a bit more, thanks.
@Old-Red It’s a My Nintendo Store exclusive so I don’t think your Base.com order will ever come to anything. I don’t know why Base.com ever listed it when it never had a release date until last week.
@hayface yeah, they've since taken it down for order, yet my order is still there. Who knows, maybe they have some ordered from Nintendo. I doubt it though.
Nice, I cant wait for the people signing up for alerts to be ignored and only be informed in the middle of the day, half an hour after the page has gone live and has sold out, like with the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 content...
Why they cant just let this be sold in regular shops is beyond me, given how many times its been shown they can never meet the demand on their own site...
I love and hate nintendo. They're incompetent, that or just very anti-consumer.
Here in Canada, bayonetta is still on stock at Best Buy for example so not an issue here but overall I find nintendo loves to add to artificial stock shortages to increase demand.
This as an example in the UK.
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Collectors Edition that all got snagged by scalpers.
Amiibos that get snagged by calpers but let's say scalpers didn't exist, they still don't put enough stock out for demand. So if nintendo won't release enough stock they need to stop targeting those who are making their own amiibo nfc tags for example. I can't buy these, I won't pay scalpers so put more stock otherwise I'll make my own so I can get the in-game bonuses.
NSO N64 controllers as well are another example of this BS.
Anyway, a bit off topic but piont is, ninteod is incompetent and anti-consumer to create demand that they can't even meet.
Bunch of idiots! They've pushed me away, especially since I got my Steam Deck. I'm done with amiibos that I can get, done with C.E.'s (especially since here in Canada we get screwed and get almost none of these) and any game that I can play on Steam Deck I'll buy on Steam instead of my Switch.
Smart business move nintendo.
I'm half doubting the veracity of Nintendo's claim that physical copies of Bayo 1 for the Switch ever legitimately went on sale in the UK. I've yet to see any photographic evidence that anybody managed to get one, and the only copies being sold on Ebay are imports (with the ESRB or Cero ratings on them, as opposed to the PEGI one). You'd expect at least ONE overpriced copy to show up, especially this close to Christmas, right? I bought an Asian realease import from Bazaar-Bazaar in the end for £39.99 with free p&p (the same price I was going to pay anyway) and if you select Software Information and then E-Shop from the Bayonetta icon on the main menu screen, it'll actually link to the Bayonetta page on the EU E-shop just fine...but if you try to earn any Gold Points for it from the My Nintendo Rewards Programme, it says you are unable to 'yet', suggesting that it's not been released physically in this region yet. Sometimes you can't redeem the My Nintendo Gold Points rewards for physical versions of some third party games, or can only do it once the game has been out for a few days but it's unheard of for a game published by Nintendo themselves, especially when they were (allegedly) selling physical copies of it a month ago. Anyways, we're now into December with no further mention of it. I suspect Nintendo UK are hoping that people will either just import or forget about it altogether if they don't think there's enough demand to justify another print run just for the UK or Europe.
They are finally back in stock, and only to those who registered interest in them.
To combat scalpers hey have sent out a link o the emails who registered for the game. Once you click the link you will get a code sent to the same email to authorise access to the physical Bayonetta game. I believe it is only 1 copy per person but I may be wrong.
Managed to get my order in shortly after 11a. Today (email came in at around 10.50am-ish).
@Phillips455 Ya it is limited to 1 per customer. I was lucky I was on my phone when the email was sent to me. 11:02am and got my order conformation at 11:06am.
Smart of them to do the email verification. Sure it may not fully stop scalping but it does help alot with people wanting to purchase the game.
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