Exclusive: 16-Bit-Inspired 'Tiny Thor' Smashes His Way To Switch This August

*thunderous applause

by Gavin Lane Mon 17th Jul 2023

We've had our eye on Asylum Square and Gameforge's Tiny Thor for a while, and today Nintendo Life can exclusively reveal that the little chap is landing on Switch, Mjölnir in hand, on 3rd August 2023.

A 16-bit-style platforming adventure with pixel art by veteran artist Henk Nieborg and a soundtrack from Turrican veteran Chris Hülsbeck, Tiny Thor released on Steam back in June to a 'Very Positive' response, so we're pleased to see it'll be arriving on our very favourite platform in just a couple of weeks.

Check out the release date reveal trailer above to get a better idea of what this minuscule god of thunder's got in store. We're suckers for 16-bit visuals, and we've got our fingers crossed that this pint-sized platformer can live up to the classics of the Mega Drive and Super NES.

The game feels like a good fit for Switch — the team behind it seems to think so, too. Here's Jochen Heizmann, Asylum Square's co-founder, and Flavio Canciani, lead producer on the game, followed by a few screenshots:

“We’re very happy that the mightiest, but tiniest, god of thunder is making his way onto the Nintendo Switch,” said Jochen Heizmann, Asylum Square co-founder. “Not only does it open up Tiny Thor to a whole new audience, but the ability to take his adventure on the go means that you can embody the diminutive demigod and continue his quest from anywhere.”

“Our excitement for the Switch release has us bouncing like mini-Mjölnir,” joked Flavio Canciani, lead producer of Tiny Thor. “We’ve seen the hugely positive response to the PC release and are so happy that PC players are enjoying Thor’s quest. Now it’s time to bring the wondrous journey to Switch, where we sincerely hope that console players will enjoy Thor’s adventure too.”

Tiny Thor will set you back €19.99 / £16.75 / $19.99 USD / $25.99 CAD or your regional equivalent when he drops on the Switch eShop in August.

Let us know below if you're up for what Asylum Square's putting down, or if you've sampled the game on PC.

Gavin first wrote for Nintendo Life in 2018 before joining the site full-time the following year, rising through the ranks to become Editor. He can currently be found running from a Switch backlog the size of Normandy.

1
Picola-Wicola
Mon 17th Jul 2023

This looks great, will certainly be picking it up when it releases.

2
luciobar1980
Mon 17th Jul 2023

Reminds me of Celeste, which is a good thing.

3
NinjaNicky
Mon 17th Jul 2023

Fairly priced too which is rare for a Switch game. Probably be a day one purchase for me.

4
DanijoEX-the-Pierrot
Mon 17th Jul 2023

I think 32-bit would be a better term for this one. Either way, I do love 32-bit platformers.

5
-wc-
Mon 17th Jul 2023

people forget that "the 32 bit era" started well before 3d games had become "standard" for modern games, and that we even had a number of ”32/64 bit” consoles come out when 3D was still in the very experimental stages, that focused mostly on high quality 2d experiences. namely, 32x, pcfx, jaguar, 3do, and saturn.

even psx was a bit of a hybrid, doing few "fully rendered 3d worlds" until later in its life. the idea that it "didnt do 3d" is BS from Sony's marketing propaganda at the time.

anyway, this is a "32-bit-inspired 2d platformer." 🙂

6
Bolverkr
Mon 17th Jul 2023

Day 1 baby!!!!

I adore Norse Mythology. My username comes from it actually.

Any word on physical copies?

7
JohnnyMind
Mon 17th Jul 2023

Keeps on looking promising and hope that Nintendo Life will review it, but as soon as it gets added to Deku Deals I'm adding it to my wishlist regardless!

8
Patendo
Mon 17th Jul 2023

Added to my watch list

9
Zeropulse
Mon 17th Jul 2023

@-wc- @DanijoEX I agree 100%, and really pumped as 32bit era platformer is probably my favorite game look.

Still pixelated while having a lot to work with on screen. Your Casltevania SotN, Megaman X4-X6, the DS Castlevania games. All are stunning and most incredible fun, the screen doesn't get too busy with excess junk.

10
samuelvictor
Mon 17th Jul 2023

This looks fantastic, I'm 100% sold! Graphics and character design are gorgeous!

@Zeropulse @-wc- @DanijoEX Sorry if this sounds like an ad (its not really as I'm talking about a game not coming out for at least 18 months!) but I'm really excited when I see people who specifically love this "16bit inspired 2D platformer but with the colour and memory of a 32bit system" look and feel as its exactly what I and my partner are aiming for with our first Hazel game. There's not many games that get it exactly right - this Mighty Thor seems to be one of them

Hazel is a little girl witch with a friendly bat familiar that helps her (like a cross between Kazooie and Tails). Its a bit like like Symphony of the Night but with Freedom Planet style cartoony graphics & voice acted story and Sonic inspired physics and platforming challenges inbetween areas, and horizontal shmup Cotton style areas where she rides on her broom. Its the game I've always dreamed of making and we've spent years trying to get the engine just right to be able to nail the exact graphical look and feel. (its a proprietary engine we are licensing out to several others making similar games)

My first thought when I saw the video for this Thor game was "oh, that looks like our Hazel game"... and thats a good thing as its my exact taste. Because I'm so fussy about getting the sprite and tile graphics and animation perfect, it'll be the last of our current stack of games that are previewed and released (the others are more simple arcade like experiences), but the hope is to turn it into a series, like Shantae.