Summary
The February 21 Nintendo Switch Partner Direct brought with it the announcement thatUnicorn Overlord,a real-time strategy and tactical role-playing hybrid created by Atlus and Vanillaware, will be making its way to the Switch. Unlike many previous Vanillaware titles,Unicorn Overlordwill see a simultaneous release on multiple consoles on March 8. In addition to the Switch, it will debut for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. This may represent the beginning of a new trend forVanillaware, which previously limited most of its releases to a single console.
Vanillaware Has Been Known For Single-Platform Releases
Vanillaware has released several titlessince its founding; some have seen release on Nintendo platforms, others on Sony PlayStation consoles, and one on PC. However, typically, the developer’s titles have remained exclusive to their original platform. Occasionally, they have been remastered or ported to later-generation consoles, but typically Nintendo games remained on Nintendo consoles and PlayStation games on PlayStation.
The first major exception to this was13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim,which released for the PlayStation 4 in 2019 and, following the game’s positive reviews and general popularity, saw a Nintendo Switch port three years later in 2022. The remastered version ofGrim Grimoire,another early Vanillaware title, also came to the Nintendo Switch in 2022, at the same time as it migrated to the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
PC
Grim Grimoire
PlayStation 2, PlayStation 4 (Remaster), PlayStation 5 (Remaster), Nintendo Switch (Remaster)
Odin Sphere
PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3 (Remaster), PlayStation 4 (Remaster), PlayStation Vita (Remaster)
Nintendo DS (Japan only)
PlayStation Portable (Japan only)
PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4 (Expanded port)
PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch (Expanded port)
Several Vanillaware Titles Would Be A Good Fit For Other Consoles
Vanillaware executives previously describedUnicorn Overlordas the developer’s “biggest project yet,” surpassing even13 Sentinelsin scale. It makes sense, then, that this would be the first title to see a multi-console simultaneous release. However, it is possible that this could set a new trend for Vanillaware, and lead to the release of future projects on multiple platforms immediately upon launch.
Hopefully, Vanillaware will not limit itself to bringing post-Unicorn Overlordprojects to the Switch and other consoles such as Xbox Series X/S and even PC. Vanillaware’s signature elaborate art style would translate well to the higher graphical capabilities of high-end PCs and current generation consoles. In addition, several of its previous titles would be particularly good fits for theNintendo Switch, including some that have not previously seen a Western release. These include:
Unicorn Overlordwill release on Jun 27, 2025 for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
WHERE TO PLAY
Vanillaware, the storytellers behind Odin Sphere and Dragon’s Crown, craft a sci-fi mystery epic spanning thirteen intertwining stories in 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. With a Metacritic score of 86, 13 Sentinels has won the praise of critics all over the world.Uncover the truth and delve into a 2D sidescrolling adventure featuring gorgeous art and environments. Then, battle the kaiju in fast-paced, top-down combat. Customize the Sentinels with an arsenal of mechsuit weaponry, and fight to defend humanity
