Tag Archives: Nintendo Switch 2

Rhythm Heaven Groove Tops Japan Charts With a Franchise-Best 393K First Week

Rhythm Heaven Groove mop dancers mini-game screenshot
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Rhythm Heaven Groove has exploded onto Japan’s charts in a way the series has never seen before. The first new entry in eleven years sold 393,378 physical copies in its debut week (June 29 – July 5), according to Famitsu data published today, debuting at number one and setting a franchise sales record that more than doubles any previous entry.

Rhythm Heaven’s Biggest Japan Debut Ever

Rhythm Heaven Groove umbrella characters in a rainy street
Image courtesy of Nintendo

To put 393,378 copies in context: the previous franchise high-water mark was Rhythm Heaven: The Best Plus on 3DS in 2015, which opened with around 158,000 copies in Japan. Before that, the Wii version managed 118,173 in its debut week back in 2011. Groove blew past both of those in a single week — the eleven-year wait clearly did not cool demand.

It’s the kind of number that suggests Nintendo has a genuine mass-market hit on its hands, not just a nostalgia play for fans who grew up on the GBA original. The series’ quirky one-button rhythm gameplay has always had a dedicated following in Japan, but a chart-topper with nearly 400,000 physical copies in week one puts Rhythm Heaven in a different commercial conversation entirely.

Rhythm Heaven Groove – Launch Trailer – via Nintendo of America on YouTube

The Switch’s Unlikely Swan Song

Rhythm Heaven Groove Who's Got Rhythm quiz show mini-game with bunny characters
Image courtesy of Nintendo

There’s a poetic footnote to this launch that Nintendo fans in the know have been quick to point out. The original Rhythm Tengoku on Game Boy Advance was released in August 2006 — just as Nintendo was winding down first-party GBA support to focus on the DS. It became the last major first-party game Nintendo released for that platform, and it went out on an absolute high, selling over 1.3 million copies in Japan over its lifetime.

Rhythm Heaven Groove lands in a strikingly similar position: the original Switch is now in its twilight with the Switch 2 carrying the torch, and this is one of Nintendo’s last major first-party software pushes for the original hardware. As Nintendo Life noted in their chart coverage, it’s a fitting “low-key swansong” — a beloved franchise closing a chapter at the top of the charts.

Available Now for Singapore Fans

Rhythm Heaven Groove colorful ninja characters deflecting arrows in multiplayer
Image courtesy of Nintendo

For Singapore fans yet to pick it up: Rhythm Heaven Groove launched worldwide on 2 July and is available now on the Nintendo eShop in Singapore, playable on both the original Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2. It features over 80 brand-new solo rhythm games built around the series’ signature one-button-and-timing formula, plus a multiplayer mode supporting up to four players locally or online.

Rhythm Heaven Groove large onion character close-up in multiplayer mode
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Famitsu gave the game a 34/40, and critical reception has been broadly enthusiastic — OpenCritic reports 91% of critics recommend it. The Japan charts tell the same story: this is the best-received Rhythm Heaven in a very long time, and Singapore players riding the wave are in good company. Check out our Game News archive for more of this week’s biggest gaming stories.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink — Endless Ragnarok Is Out Now on Switch 2, PS5 and PC

Cygames has launched Granblue Fantasy: Relink — Endless Ragnarok today, 9 July 2026, on Nintendo Switch 2, PS5, PS4, and PC via Steam. The standalone release bundles the original Relink with a sweeping expansion — new story, six new playable characters, a roguelite endgame mode, and series-first multi-platform crossplay. Existing owners can upgrade from S$34.90 on Steam.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink — “Not Forgotten Sky” Endless Ragnarok Launch Trailer — via PlayStation on YouTube

What’s New in Granblue Fantasy: Relink — Endless Ragnarok

Endless Ragnarok adds a brand-new story arc that continues the Relink saga, alongside six new characters joining the playable roster. The flagship addition is The Conflux — a new solo endgame mode built around roguelite principles, where each run through unpredictable challenges yields enigmatic powers and escalating rewards. It gives the game a strong reason to keep coming back long after the main campaign wraps.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink — Endless Ragnarok new character combat
Image courtesy of Cygames

The character progression system gains master traits — an advanced layer on top of existing skill trees that lets you push characters beyond their previous limits. The summon system has also been overhauled, with new mechanics for unlocking and calling forth summons during quests. If you were already deep into the original Relink, there’s a lot here to rebuild your builds around.

Crossplay Arrives for the First Time

One of Endless Ragnarok’s headline features is multi-platform crossplay for online co-op — a first for the Relink series. Up to four players can now party up across PS5, PS4, and PC, removing the platform walls that previously split the player base. The Nintendo Switch 2 version goes one step further, adding local co-op as a Switch 2-exclusive feature for players who want to play side by side.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink — Endless Ragnarok co-op multiplayer gameplay
Image courtesy of Cygames

For Singapore’s thriving Granblue Fantasy community, this matters: crossplay means you’re no longer locked out of co-op quests depending on what platform your friends own. Link your Cygames ID to unlock additional cross-title link bonuses with other GBF games, including a Damascus Ingot and Silver Centra for returning players.

Editions and Pricing for Singapore

Endless Ragnarok releases as a full standalone game that includes both the base Granblue Fantasy: Relink and the new expansion content — ideal for anyone who missed the original. If you already own Relink on PS5, PS4, or PC, an Upgrade Kit is also available:

  • Upgrade Kit (Standard Edition): S$34.90 on Steam SG — for existing Granblue Fantasy: Relink owners
  • Full Standalone (Standard Edition): US$59.99 / approximately S$74–79 (check local PS Store and Steam SG for confirmed SGD pricing)
  • Special Edition: Includes additional in-game content (check the official site for full details)
Granblue Fantasy: Relink — Endless Ragnarok — The Conflux endgame mode
Image courtesy of Cygames

The Nintendo Switch 2 version is priced at US$59.99 and includes the base game bundled in — it’s the most complete entry point for Switch 2 owners who haven’t played Relink before. An updated free demo is also available, based on the April Open Beta with balance adjustments and UI improvements, featuring Story Mode and Quest Mode content.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink — Endless Ragnarok character roster and new characters
Image courtesy of Cygames

Whether you’re an existing Relink veteran looking for endgame depth or a newcomer picking up the franchise for the first time, today’s launch is a good entry point across every platform. Check our game news section for more on this week’s major releases.

Hatsune Miku Starry Party Is Coming to Switch 2 and PC in 2027

Your favourite virtual pop icon is swapping the rhythm stage for a party arena. Good Smile Company announced Hatsune Miku Starry Party at Anime Expo 2026, and it is exactly what Singapore Vocaloid fans have been craving — a six-player party action game featuring the full Crypton Future Media cast reimagined as Nendoroid chibi figures, heading to Nintendo Switch 2 and PC via Steam in 2027.

Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin and Kagamine Len as Nendoroid figures in Hatsune Miku Starry Party
Image courtesy of Good Smile Company

What Is Hatsune Miku Starry Party?

Developed jointly by Crypton Future Media and Good Smile Company, Starry Party (スタリパ, as fans are already abbreviating it) is a party action game built around the beloved Nendoroid figure line. Every character in the game is rendered as their compact, round-headed Nendoroid counterpart — the same design language that has made Good Smile’s collectible figures a staple at anime events from Akihabara to Singapore’s own Anime Festival Asia.

The game supports up to six simultaneous players competing across a variety of mini-games and party challenges. While the developers have teased that some stages will lean into the rhythm-game experience Miku fans know and love, there will be plenty of non-rhythm challenges as well, positioning this as a proper party title rather than a spiritual successor to the Project Diva series.

初音ミク 新作ゲーム ティザーPV「初音ミク スターリーパーティ」 — via GOOD SMILE CHANNEL on YouTube

Confirmed Playable Characters

The teaser trailer, set to the original track StargazeR by producer 骨盤P (Kotsupan-P) featuring Hatsune Miku, confirms six playable Vocaloids at launch:

  • Hatsune Miku
  • Kagamine Rin
  • Kagamine Len
  • Megurine Luka
  • MEIKO
  • KAITO

Good Smile Company has teased that more characters will be announced before launch, so the roster is not necessarily final.

Hatsune Miku Nendoroid figure glowing green in Hatsune Miku Starry Party
Image courtesy of Good Smile Company

Why Singapore Vocaloid Fans Should Be Excited

This is Miku’s first starring role in a dedicated game since Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Mega Mix+ launched in 2022. While she has made cameo appearances in titles like Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and crossover events in Persona 5: The Phantom X, Starry Party marks a full return to gaming as the lead.

For Singapore fans, the confirmed language list is a positive signal: the game will ship with support for English, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese — all languages with strong player bases across Singapore and the broader Southeast Asian market. No Singapore-specific release date or pricing has been announced, but the multilingual support suggests a wide regional rollout is planned rather than a Japan-only or US-exclusive launch.

Close-up of Hatsune Miku's face in Hatsune Miku Starry Party teaser
Image courtesy of Good Smile Company

What We Still Don’t Know

A firm release date, pricing, and any details beyond the teaser are yet to be confirmed. With the 2027 launch window still far off, expect a fuller reveal — likely at a Nintendo Direct or a future Good Smile Company showcase — to flesh out the full mini-game roster and multiplayer modes. Keep an eye on the official X account @Starrypa_Miku for updates as they drop.

For more upcoming Switch 2 titles and Vocaloid news, check out our Game News and Manga Anime sections.

Digimon Story: Time Stranger Launches on Switch 2 and Switch — 10 July Worldwide

Singapore Digimon fans, the wait is almost up. Digimon Story: Time Stranger — Bandai Namco’s sprawling 450-Digimon RPG that launched on PS5, Xbox, and PC back in October 2025 — arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch on 10 July 2026, with a worldwide simultaneous release. No waiting around for an Asian date; Singapore players get it at the same time as everyone else.

Digimon Story Time Stranger – Nintendo Switch™ 2 / Nintendo Switch™ Announcement Trailer — via BANDAI NAMCO Europe on YouTube

What Switch 2 Gets That Switch Doesn’t

The Switch 2 version is more than a straight port. Bandai Namco built in two dedicated performance modes for Nintendo’s new hardware:

  • Quality Mode: 4K HDR at up to 30fps when docked, Full HD at 30fps in handheld
  • Performance Mode: Up to 60fps both docked and in handheld

The original Switch version runs in standard Switch resolution, making the Switch 2 release the definitive portable version if you’ve already upgraded. Both versions share save data, so if you started on PS5 or PC you’ll need a fresh run on Switch — but the full story is worth it.

Digimon Story Time Stranger gameplay features
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco

450 Digimon, One Big Story

For newcomers: Digimon Story: Time Stranger is set across the human world and the Digital World, following a story about time fractures that are pulling both worlds apart. It leans into the classic Digimon Story RPG format — turn-based strategic battles, a deep DigiBank of over 450 collectible Digimon, and evolution chains you can customise across dozens of paths. The game has already shipped over one million copies across PS5, Xbox, and Steam since launch, proving that the Digimon RPG formula still has a strong audience.

Digimon has always punched above its weight in Southeast Asia. For a generation of Singapore gamers who grew up with the anime on TV and the toys in hand, a new entry in the Story RPG series is a genuine occasion.

Digimon Story Time Stranger battle system
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco

Major DLC Coming in 2027

At DIGIMON CON 2026, Bandai Namco announced a major expansion DLC for Time Stranger, targeting a 2027 release. No specifics on content or scope were shared yet, but it’s the first confirmed post-launch content for the game. Players who pick up the Deluxe Edition at launch get a Season Pass that covers DLC when it arrives. The Ultimate Edition bundles extra in-game content on top of the Season Pass.

Digimon Story Time Stranger key visual
Image courtesy of Bandai Namco

Where to Get It in Singapore

Digimon Story: Time Stranger is available digitally via the Nintendo eShop on Switch 2 and Switch from 10 July. Physical editions may be available through major game retailers and electronics chains — check your preferred local store for stock. The Deluxe and Ultimate editions are available on the eShop for players who want the Season Pass and bonus items included at purchase. Pricing on the Singapore eShop has not been officially listed in SGD, so check the eShop directly on launch day for the local price.

More Switch 2 and game launch coverage is over at Game News.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok Launches on Switch 2 Today

Cygames’ acclaimed action RPG just got a major expansion, and it is live today. Granblue Fantasy: Relink — Endless Ragnarok launches on Nintendo Switch 2, PS4, PS5, and PC via Steam, bringing a new story arc, reworked endgame systems, and a fresh reason to pick up one of the best co-op action RPGs of recent years.

Combat action in Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok
Image courtesy of Cygames

What Is Endless Ragnarok?

Granblue Fantasy: Relink launched on PS4/PS5 and Steam in 2024 and quickly became a favourite for its fluid character action and surprisingly robust 4-player co-op mode. Endless Ragnarok is not a minor DLC update — it is a substantial expansion that adds:

  • A new story chapter pitting your crew against mysterious, world-threatening beings called ragnalia
  • A reworked Summon system that gives you direct control over summoned primal beasts, culminating in powerful Primal Burst chain attacks
  • The Conflux, a new solo challenge mode where unpredictable obstacles and enigmatic powers keep each run feeling different
  • New co-op quest tiers and bosses to grind through with friends
  • Master Traits, an expanded progression layer that unlocks new character-specific abilities beyond the base skill trees
Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok | Launch Trailer “Not Forgotten Sky” — via Granblue Fantasy: Relink Official Channel on YouTube

Switch 2 Version: What’s New

This is the game’s Nintendo Switch 2 debut. For Switch 2 owners, the package includes the full base game (Granblue Fantasy: Relink) plus the Endless Ragnarok content in one bundle — no separate purchase needed. The Switch 2 edition also adds local wireless co-op for up to four players, a mode that is exclusive to the Nintendo platform. Online cross-play is supported across all versions (PS4, PS5, Switch 2, Steam), so your party size is not limited by which platform your friends own.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok new character in a dramatic outdoor environment
Image courtesy of Cygames

Pricing and How to Get It

On Switch 2, PS5, and Steam, two purchase options are available:

  • New to Relink: The full bundle (base game + Endless Ragnarok) is USD 59.99 — one purchase gets you everything. Check the Nintendo Singapore eShop listing for local SGD pricing.
  • Existing Relink owners: The Endless Ragnarok upgrade is available separately at USD 29.99 on Steam (and equivalent on PlayStation Store). If you already own Relink on PS5 or Steam, you do not have to re-buy the full game.

An early-purchase bonus runs until 31 August 2026 and includes a Supplementary Damage V Sigil and War Elemental Sigil Set — pick it up sooner rather than later if you are planning to dive into endgame content.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok gameplay showing new environments
Image courtesy of Cygames

Should Singapore Switch 2 Owners Pick This Up?

If you missed Granblue Fantasy: Relink on PS5 or PC, the Switch 2 bundle is a genuinely strong deal — the base game alone holds up exceptionally well, and Endless Ragnarok adds substantial new content on top. The addition of Switch 2-exclusive local co-op is a real bonus for Singapore players who prefer to game together in the same room. Cross-play means your regular online crew on PlayStation or Steam can still join your session without switching platforms.

Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok four-player co-op action
Image courtesy of Cygames

It is out now on the Nintendo eShop Singapore, PlayStation Store, and Steam. Browse more Switch 2 coverage and game news in our Game News section.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Switch 2 Edition Launches 30 July — Mercenary Battles Mode and Full 4K Upgrade Confirmed

Nintendo’s beloved JRPG Xenoblade Chronicles 2 is making the leap to Nintendo Switch 2 with an enhanced definitive edition launching on 30 July 2026 — just three weeks away. Whether you missed it the first time around or want to revisit Alrest in full 4K glory, this looks like the definitive way to experience Rex and Pyra’s epic adventure.

What’s New in the Switch 2 Edition

Beyond the expected resolution and performance upgrades that come with Switch 2’s beefed-up hardware, Nintendo has confirmed a brand-new Mercenary Battles mode exclusive to the Switch 2 Edition. This mode lets players pit their Blades against special challenge enemies outside the main story, with the reveal screenshots showing a white-haired Blade facing off against a Lv33 Little Bunnit — suggesting a roguelike or wave-based challenge format aimed at longtime fans who’ve already completed the main campaign.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Switch 2 Edition – New Mercenary Battle mode gameplay
The new Mercenary Battles mode pits your Blades against challenge enemies in standalone encounters. (Image: Nintendo)

The main game’s combat system — already one of the most layered in any JRPG — carries over intact, with Rex, Nia, and Tora’s party synergies as satisfying as ever. The Switch 2 Edition’s visual overhaul makes the game’s sweeping Titan landscapes and intricate character designs look sharper than they ever did on original Switch hardware.

Rex with Poppi in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Switch 2 Edition
Rex and the artificial Blade Poppi shine in the enhanced visuals. (Image: Nintendo)

Full Story, Torna DLC Included

The Switch 2 Edition bundles in the complete base game alongside the critically acclaimed Torna ~ The Golden Country expansion — no separate purchase needed. That’s well over 100 hours of content for players diving in fresh. Expect the same sweeping narrative that made XBC2 a word-of-mouth JRPG hit in late 2017, now with significantly improved load times courtesy of the Switch 2’s upgraded storage architecture.

Battle scene in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Switch 2 Edition with Rex, Nia and Tora
Party combat with Rex, Nia, and Tora remains the heart of the experience. (Image: Nintendo)

Pricing — SGD TBC

Nintendo has confirmed the US price at US$69.99 for a new physical or digital purchase, with a US$9.99 upgrade path available for existing Switch owners who already own the original game digitally. Singapore pricing has not yet been officially announced — we’ll update this article the moment Nintendo Singapore confirms local retail pricing. Based on Switch 2 launch titles, expect somewhere in the S$90–S$110 range for a new copy, though the upgrade should be considerably cheaper.

If you’re planning to grab it at launch, it’s worth registering your interest with local retailers now — Qisahn, GameXtreme, and Funan Nintendo are the usual suspects for pre-order allocations on Nintendo titles in Singapore.

Pyra and Rex emotional cutscene in Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Switch 2 Edition
The emotional story beats hit even harder at higher resolution. (Image: Nintendo)

Worth It for New Players?

Absolutely. Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was one of the standout JRPGs of the Switch’s first generation, and the Switch 2 Edition removes the main barrier — the occasionally rough original performance — that held some players back. The Mercenary Battles addition gives returning fans a reason to come back too. If you’ve been sleeping on this one, 30 July is the time to fix that.

We’ll have more coverage as the launch approaches, including a full local price confirmation and day-one impressions.

Rhythm Heaven Groove Is Out on Switch — and Japan’s Cats Are Obsessed

The first new Rhythm Heaven Groove in over a decade has landed on Nintendo Switch — and it’s already proving irresistible to an unlikely audience: house cats in Japan.

A Long-Awaited Return for the Rhythm Heaven Series

Nintendo’s beloved rhythm mini-game series made its Switch debut on 2 July 2026, marking the franchise’s first new entry since Rhythm Heaven Megamix arrived in 2015–2016. If you’ve been waiting a decade for the next one, that wait is finally over.

Rhythm Heaven Groove packs more than 80 single-player mini-games alongside 30+ multiplayer games for up to four players sharing a single Switch. Each mini-game tasks you with timing button presses to the beat — but don’t trust your eyes. The game’s animations are deliberately built to mislead you, so the only reliable guide is the music itself. That includes original compositions by Tsunku♂, the Japanese musician who has crafted the series’ memorable soundtracks since the very first game.

Rhythm Heaven Groove - Hoop Trundling mini-game with round characters rolling through colourful rings
Image courtesy of Nintendo

As you progress, you’ll unlock Beatspell — a dedicated single-player mode where you cast rhythm-based spells to battle monsters. It adds a bit of progression structure to the usual rapid-fire collection. A free demo is live on the Nintendo eShop right now, so there’s no reason not to test your timing before committing.

Rhythm Heaven Groove – Launch Trailer – via Nintendo of America on YouTube

The Viral Rhythm Heaven Groove Cat Trend Taking Over Japanese Social Media

The twist nobody saw coming: within days of launch, clips of cats completely hypnotised by Rhythm Heaven Groove gameplay flooded Japanese X. Dozens of posts surfaced from 3 July onwards showing cats pawing at screens, tracking flying vegetables, and refusing to let their owners play in peace. As reported by Automaton, one player summed it up: “Rhythm Heaven is a god-tier game — because cats can play it too.”

It makes a certain kind of sense. The animations in Rhythm Heaven Groove are looping, rhythmically predictable, and packed with motion — precisely the kind of stimulus that fires up a cat’s hunting instincts. The game leans into feline cameos too: the Slice N Dice Kitchen stage features a white cat sitting on the kitchen counter and a black-and-white cat rescuing dropped ingredients, while Hop Stop N Roll fills the screen with Maneki-Neko (lucky cat figurines) hopping to the beat.

Rhythm Heaven Groove Slice N Dice Kitchen stage - a girl prepares food while a white cat sits on the kitchen counter
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Available Now on Switch — Free Demo on the eShop

Rhythm Heaven Groove is available now on the Nintendo eShop for Singapore Switch owners. Nintendo Switch 2 is fully supported, and the game runs identically on both hardware generations. The free demo is available worldwide, letting you try a selection of mini-games before you commit.

Rhythm Heaven Groove mini-game - stickman character sweeping cans off a conveyor belt with a hammer
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Multiplayer supports up to four players on one Switch with no extra hardware needed, making it a natural pick for casual sessions at home. For Singapore households with a cat already on the sofa, that might be five players. Check out more Nintendo game news for more Switch and Switch 2 picks.

Rhythm Heaven Groove bird formation mini-game - a white bird leads a formation of grey birds across a blue sky
Image courtesy of Nintendo

Moonlight Peaks Is Out Now — Vampire Farming Hits Switch 2

If your gaming week already has you queuing up for Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, here’s something to keep the evening cosy while you wait. Moonlight Peaks — a gothic cozy farming sim from Dutch indie studio Little Chicken and publisher XSEED Games — launched today, 7 July 2026, on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, macOS, and Android. Early reviews are glowing, with scores sitting between 7 and 9.5 out of 10 across multiple outlets.

Stardew Valley, But Make It Vampire

Top-down farming gameplay in Moonlight Peaks showing crops and a bat familiar at night
Image courtesy of Little Chicken / XSEED Games

The premise flips the genre’s golden formula on its head: you are Count Dracula’s child, tired of the family legacy, who packs a coffin and moves to the spooky mountain town of Moonlight Peaks to start a quieter life. Because your character is a vampire, every single farming chore, foraging trip, and social outing happens at night. There is no sunrise. The day-night cycle that usually structures a cozy farming game is replaced entirely by moonrise and moonset, which critics say keeps the atmosphere spooky without ever feeling claustrophobic.

The core loop will be familiar — grow mystical crops, keep supernatural animals, craft potions, earn gold — but the nocturnal twist reshapes how it plays. Your bat familiar helps automate watering; spell-casting replaces the standard tool upgrades; and the town’s calendar is filled with supernatural festivals instead of harvest fairs.

Moonlight Peaks – Release Date Trailer — via XSEEDgames on YouTube

A Town Full of Odd but Loveable Neighbours

Dialogue scene in Moonlight Peaks with Death character in a Hawaiian shirt at a café table
Image courtesy of Little Chicken / XSEED Games

Moonlight Peaks has 24 romance-able and befriendable townspeople — a line-up that includes werewolves, witches, mermaids, a pumpkin-headed village elder, and, yes, Death himself (who appears to enjoy hanging out in casual beachwear). Reviewers have singled out the writing as a highlight, noting that each character feels distinct and the dialogue lands its jokes without trying too hard.

The town also hosts seasonal festivals that pull everyone together and unlock story beats, which gives long-term players a reason to plan their in-game schedule around events rather than just farming efficiency.

Dungeons, Spells, and Things That Go Bump

Dungeon exploration in Moonlight Peaks — blue-lit underground chamber with a supernatural creature
Image courtesy of Little Chicken / XSEED Games

Alongside the farming and socialising, Moonlight Peaks includes dungeon areas that add a light action layer to the loop — think Stardew Valley’s mines, but with more gothic architecture and stranger monsters. Spells replace weapons, and your vampire abilities give combat a distinct feel from the usual genre fare. It’s not a deep action game, but it adds enough variety to keep the nights interesting between festival days.

Town Festivals and Spooky Seasonal Events

Seasonal festival in Moonlight Peaks with pumpkins and townspeople gathered around Pumpkin Head
Image courtesy of Little Chicken / XSEED Games

Seasonal festivals are where Moonlight Peaks earns some of its best moments. The town gathers, unique characters appear, and special seasonal crops unlock. Think of it as the game’s equivalent of Stardew’s Egg Festival or Winter Star — except the centrepiece is a pumpkin-headed emcee and the decorations are considerably more gothic.

Price and How to Play

The Switch 2 Edition is priced at US$39.99 (the standard Switch and PC version sits at US$34.99 on Steam, currently discounted 15% to US$29.74 during launch week). A digital deluxe edition is also available. No SGD eShop pricing has been confirmed at time of writing — check the Singapore Nintendo eShop and major game retailers for local pricing. Physical release in Japan with English language support has been confirmed with pre-orders already open, making it a solid import option for collectors.

XSEED Games is the label behind Story of Seasons and many beloved Marvelous titles, so if Moonlight Peaks catches on it will not be the last we hear of it. Worth a look on the Switch 2 launch lineup — it is available right now.

Kyoto Xanadu Hits Asia on 15 July — SGD 70.90 on PS5

Nihon Falcom’s Kyoto Xanadu -the Blooming Phantom- launches in Japan and Asia on 15 July 2026, and it is already live on the Singapore PlayStation Store for pre-order at SGD 70.90 on PS5. The spiritual successor to the cult 2015 action RPG Tokyo Xanadu, this is the first new Xanadu title from Falcom in over a decade — and it lands on Switch 2 and PC Steam on the same day.

From Tokyo to Kyoto — Falcom Returns to Xanadu

The Xanadu sub-series dates back to Falcom’s early PC era, but it found its widest audience with Tokyo Xanadu on the PS Vita and later PS4/PC. Kyoto Xanadu keeps the core formula — a school-life RPG wrapped around hack-and-slash dungeon crawling — but shifts the setting to an alternate-timeline Japan where Kyoto, not Tokyo, is the capital. In this world, a dimension called Xanadu is slowly bleeding into reality, spawning monsters and threatening the city’s ancient streets. Players take on the role of a transfer student who enrols at Hirasaka Academy, a school specifically established to train fighters — called Eligibles — capable of pushing back into the labyrinth.

Clouded Leopard Entertainment handles the Asian localisation and distribution, continuing the publisher’s strong track record of bringing Falcom titles to this region.

How Combat Works — Two Dimensions, One Labyrinth

Kyoto Xanadu – Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase 2.5.2026 — via Nintendo of America on YouTube

The game’s standout design is its dual combat system. Most of the dungeon unfolds as classic 2D side-scrolling action — you run, jump, and slash your way through floors packed with enemies, much like the side-scrolling sections Falcom fans know from the Ys series. Hit a Gate — special nodes scattered through the labyrinth — and the camera pulls back into full 3D, opening a larger arena where your full team’s Soul Devices, Issen counters, and Soul Accel abilities come into play against tougher enemies and bosses. Switching between the two modes mid-run is seamless, which is unusual for an action RPG and gives each layer of the dungeon a distinct feel without splitting the game into two separate modes.

Kyoto Xanadu protagonist Rei in 3D Soul Device combat
Image courtesy of Nihon Falcom

Inside Hirasaka Academy

Between dungeon runs, the game leans into a school-life simulation layer. Players attend card-deck-based classes, build relationships with their squadmates, and explore the city of Kyoto itself. The main cast includes Ren Amano, heir to a major financial conglomerate who leads the elite team Futen using Kurikara sword-type Soul Devices; Zoya, an impulsive close-range fighter who wields Shashka-type weapons; Chisa, a quiet but deadly specialist who fights with Kunai-types; and Rachana, the group’s calm strategist who covers range with Bow-type Soul Devices. The protagonist, Rei, arrives as a transfer student and quickly gets drawn into their world.

Kyoto Xanadu 2D side-scrolling combat in a Japanese castle setting
Image courtesy of Nihon Falcom

Singapore Pricing, Platforms and the Language Caveat

Here is what Singapore players need to know before pre-ordering:

  • PS5 — SGD 70.90 via the Singapore PlayStation Store. Pre-orders get a LinoN Support Card DLC (bonus valid until 15 July).
  • Nintendo Switch / Switch 2 — launching the same day via Clouded Leopard Entertainment; the Switch 2 version is digital-only with an upgrade path for Switch owners at just 150 yen.
  • PC (Steam) — available on the same date in Asia.

Language note: The Asian release — including the Singapore PS Store listing — supports Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean. There is no English text in the current Asian version. English-speaking players should hold off for the Western release, which Falcom and a yet-to-be-announced Western partner have confirmed is in the works for later in summer 2026. If you read Chinese, though, Traditional Chinese support means Mandarin-reading Singapore fans can jump in on day one.

Ren Amano character from Kyoto Xanadu with a large Soul Device weapon
Image courtesy of Nihon Falcom

Western Release and What Comes Next

A Western release date for Kyoto Xanadu is still being coordinated with a partner publisher, so an English-localised version is coming — just without a confirmed date. Given Falcom’s recent track record (the Trails and Ys series have all received solid English releases), the gap between the Japanese/Asian launch and an English version should hopefully be shorter than some of the studio’s older titles.

For more on upcoming game news landing in Singapore this month, keep an eye on the site. Kyoto Xanadu is available for pre-order on the Singapore PS Store now.

Kyoto Xanadu 3D boss encounter in the Xanadu labyrinth
Image courtesy of Nihon Falcom