Popular Games by Nicalis
The Binding of Isaac: Repentance Switch
- 4th Nov 2021 (UK/EU)
- 4th Nov 2021 (NA)
- 17th Nov 2021 (NA)
The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ Switch
- 17th Mar 2017 (NA)
- 7th Sep 2017 (UK/EU)
Reviews of Nicalis Games
Repent? But we just pented!!
Fantastic roguelite The Binding of Isaac has been around for a decade since its original Flash incarnation. On Switch alone it’s been a thing – along with its Afterbirth+ expansion – for over four years. A big, final addition to the game with the Repentance 'expansion', then, seems a little belated. Helpfully,...
Review Dungreed (Switch) - A Great Roguelite For Those New To The Genre
More like roguelove!
Live, die, repeat. Such is the way in roguelikes, which are experiencing somewhat of a resurgence in popularity lately, with the likes of Spelunky 2 and Hades dominating whatever remains of watercooler talk now that no one goes to the office any more. You live, making your way through dungeons, finding new weapons, beating a...
Review Umihara Kawase Fresh! (Switch) - An Appealing Platformer That Makes Itself Hard To Love
Something fishy
There’s something strange about Umihara Kawase Fresh! It’s not the fish with human legs; it’s not the tadpole that lays frogs. It’s not even the pork pizza you serve to a pig. What’s strange is that it can’t seem to decide how difficult it is. Assuming you are not familiar with the Umihara Kawase series, the opening of...
Review Crystal Crisis (Switch) - A Falling Block Puzzler That Fits Perfectly On Switch
But can it run Crystal Crisis?
Everyone has dabbled in some form of a falling block puzzle game at some point in their life. For most people, it’s probably some form of Tetris. For others, it may be Dr. Mario, or Puyo Puyo, maybe even Dr. Robotnik’s Mean Bean Machine. Years upon years of formula tweaking and innovative twists on the simple...
Review Redout (Switch) - A Slightly Rough Port Of An Otherwise Decent Wipeout Wannabe
Seeing Red
One of Nintendo’s most popular (and amusingly, least supported) franchises is the F-Zero series, which popularized the concept of high-intensity, low-gravity racing. In the void created due to Nintendo’s reluctance to release more games in the series, plenty of other ‘me-too’ titles have released, such as Wipeout and FAST, and...
Review RemiLore (Switch) - An Endearingly Sweet RPG Experience That Might Leave You Wanting More
Got a sweet tooth?
In the modern game industry, it feels like there’s quite a continuous push for ‘event games’, like the sorts of action titles you see plastered over advertisements and social media just about everywhere you go. What doesn’t often get talked about is the market for less intense games; the sorts of experiences more geared...
Latest Nicalis News
Thursday28th Mar 2024
News All Three 'Touch Detective' Games Are Out Now On Switch
Yes you heard, three
Do you remember the Touch Detective games on Nintendo DS? Well, chances are you were probably only familiar with the first two titles, since the third, released in 2014 for the 3DS in Japan, never made it to the West. That changes now, as Touch Detective 3 + The Complete Case Files is available right this moment on the Switch...
Tuesday5th Dec 2023
News 3DS Japan-Exclusive 'Touch Detective 3' Gets Official English Localisation In 2024
Touch Detective 3 + The Complete Case is coming to Switch
The Touch Detective series is making its grand return to the West thanks to publisher Nicalis. Touch Detective 3 + The Complete Case Files is coming to Nintendo Switch physically and digitally on 28th March, 2024. (Thanks, Gematsu!) Physical editions have only been announced for No
Friday17th Dec 2021
News Cave Story's Secret Santa Is Available Now On Switch, But Only In Japan
Available for a limited time only
If you're looking for something to help get you in the festive mood, then Cave Story's Secret Santa might be just the ticket. Developed by Nicalis in cooperation with Cave Story creator Studio Pixel, Cave Story's Secret Santa is “a bite-sized side story of stealth and puzzle-solving, with familiar characters and...
Wednesday3rd Nov 2021
News The Binding Of Isaac: Repentance Arrives On Nintendo Switch This Week
Out November 4th
Following on from the announcement The Binding of Isaac: Repentance would be coming to multiple platforms, it's now been confirmed the game will be released in North America this week on 4th November. Repentance is described as the "ultimate entry" in the series - taking the Binding of Isaac to new heights with new and updated...
Friday10th Sep 2021
News South Korean Developer Pixelian Studio Brings Critadel To Switch Next Month
A futuristic action game with "GBA-inspired graphics"
Last month Nicalis revealed it would be bringing Critadel by Pixelian Studio (a small three-person development team based in Seoul, South Korea) to the Nintendo Switch at some point this year. It's now locked in for a release on 13th October and will be priced at $19.99 USD. If you missed our...
Thursday12th Aug 2021
News Critadel Mixes 2D Run-And-Gun Action With Roguelike Elements
Hits Switch later this year
Publisher Nicalis has announced that it is bringing Pixelian Studio's Critadel to Switch later this year. Described as a "futuristic platformer/shooter/roguelike", Critadel sees players climbing up a giant mechanical tower as they face off against the evil Forces of Noah, an organisation that has taken control of the...
Monday1st Mar 2021
News The Binding Of Isaac: Repentance Will Come To Switch This Summer
Including a physical release
The final chapter in The Binding of Isaac saga is almost here, and it's getting a physical release on Switch. The horror roguelike takes inspiration from the biblical story in which Abraham is asked by God to sacrifice his son, Isaac, with the mother of similarly-named Isaac attempting to sacrifice him as a symbol of her...
Thursday17th Dec 2020
News Delisted Switch Title Save Me Mr Tako Will Return Better Than Ever, Says Creator
Rebalanced and retuned for 2021
Remember Save Me Mr Tako: Tasukete Tako-San? This Game Boy-style adventure was given a glowing 8/10 review by us in 2018 and seemed destined to receive a lovely physical edition at one point. But sitting here right now, in The Year of Our Lord 2020, it's currently impossible to purchase
Thursday26th Nov 2020
News Nicalis Is Issuing DMCA Takedown Notices To Free Versions Of Cave Story
"Do not support Nicalis. Do not buy Nicalis games"
Update: Ema – who worked on a fork of the CSE2 version of Cave Story – has gotten in touch to clarify some points: 1. This DMCA is strictly for CSE2, the fanmade decompilation of the original freeware version of Cave Story. Said freeware version is unaffected by the takedown, and can be...
Wednesday22nd Jan 2020
News Nicalis Releasing Physical Switch Edition Of Redout On 27th March, Pre-Order Now
First 1,000 copies include a mini CD soundtrack
If you're looking for a fast fix on the Switch, one game worth checking out is Redout. It's a high-intensity low-gravity futuristic racing experience that is similar but different to games like FAST RMX, Wipeout and even the F-Zero series. In the latest news, Redout's publisher Nicalis has announced a...
Saturday23rd Nov 2019
News Physical Copies Of Ikaruga For Nintendo Switch Are Now In "Active" Production
Get ready to shoot 'em up
Publisher Nicalis has been teasing a hard copy of Treasure's sublime shmup Ikaruga for Switch since it showed off a gigantic Switch game case at PAX West 2018. It sent fans of this iconic game – first published as an arcade title in 2001 – into an absolute frenzy. Roughly a year later, Nicalis officially
Friday13th Sep 2019
News Nicalis Investigation Reveals Tales Of Ghosting, Slurs And Mistreatment Of Staff
"It’s a small industry. Actions have consequences"
Nicalis is a company that will need no introduction to Nintendo fans. It has been responsible for bringing some amazing titles to Wii, 3DS, Wii U and Switch, including Cave Story+, Blade Strangers, Crystal Crisis, Ikaruga, VVVVVV,
Tuesday3rd Sep 2019
News '90s Super GP Is Still Alive, And Will Now Include Online Play
Racing ahead
One game we feel like we've been waiting a lifetime for is '90s Super GP. This arcade-style game, formerly known as 90's Arcade Racer, started out as a Kickstarter campaign and was originally targeting a Wii U release. In 2017, we received
Wednesday28th Aug 2019
News Blade Strangers Gets Three New Characters To Celebrate Its One-Year Anniversary
And much more
One of the fighting games on the Switch that perhaps deserves some more attention is Blade Strangers by Studio Saizensen and Nicalis. When it arrived in August last year, we said it was the most accessible 2D fighters we had played in years. If you've been looking for an extra reason to try it out, there is now a free update for the...
Thursday14th Mar 2019
News Nicalis Brings Umihara Kawase Fresh! To North America and Europe This July
From the Japanese developer Studio Saizensen
Publisher and developer Nicalis, Inc. has announced it is teaming up with Japanese developer Studio Saizensen to bring Umihara Kawase Fresh! to the Switch in both North America and Europe. The game will arrive on 9th July and will also receive a physical release in the US for $39.99. The latest entry in...
Sunday17th Feb 2019
News Umihara Kawase Joins The Crystal Crisis Roster As The 20th Character
Out this May
In case you forgot, last May, Nicalis announced a new game called Crystal Crisis would be coming to the Switch. This crossover puzzle-fighter was scheduled to arrive this April and is now actually due out
Wednesday2nd Jan 2019
Feature Whatever Happened To The Sega-Style Racer '90s Super GP?
The title formerly known as '90s Arcade Racer has slipped off the radar
Hey, remember '90s Arcade Racer? This Sega-inspired speed-fest first slid into our collective consciousnesses way back in 2013, when it hit Kickstarter and was quickly
Monday19th Nov 2018
News Development For Switch Anti-Grav Racer Redout Close To Completion
Racing ahead
With no signs of a new F-Zero game on the horizon, the upcoming anti-gravity racer Redout looks to be a promising alternative. After experiencing multiple delays on its way to Switch, the title was finally rated by the ESRB in September. So, what's the current status on development? Speaking on Fra
Tuesday9th Oct 2018
News Save me Mr Tako: Tasukete Tako-San Might Get A Physical Release If eShop Version Is Played
Show your support
Yesterday, Nicalis announced the platform / RPG crossover Save me Mr Tako: Tasukete Tako-San would be released on the Switch eShop on 30th October. In a recent interview with GoNintendo, the game's developer Christophe Galati spoke about the possibility of a physical release: There’s always hope! P
Monday8th Oct 2018
News Game Boy Inspired Switch Title Save me Mr Tako: Tasukete Tako-San Arrives On 30th October
Resolve the conflict
Last year, Californian publisher Nicalis announced the platform / RPG crossover Save me Mr Tako: Tasukete Tako-San was headed to the Nintendo Switch. The title channeling old-school releases started development way back in 2014 and was designed as a tribute to the original Game Boy. Nicalis has now revealed t
Thursday13th Sep 2018
Unlimited fun
American publisher Nicalis, best known in recent times for releasing an array of physical games on the Switch, has today announced the South Korean-developed title Dungreed is coming to Nintendo's hybrid platform. A launch date has not been confirmed. Developed by Team Horay in Seoul, Dungreed is a 2D side-scrolling action game...
Monday3rd Sep 2018
News Repentance Will Be Final DLC For The Binding Of Isaac, According To Creator
Drawing the curtains
Edmund McMillen - the creator behind The Binding of Isaac - has taken to Twitter to announce the indie roguelike game, first released in 2011, will receive its final sizable DLC pack for r
Friday31st Aug 2018
News Nicalis Teases Ikaruga Physical Release With World's Largest Nintendo Switch Case
Not exactly subtle
Nicalis has made a name for itself in recent times publishing an array of physical titles on the Switch and also handling the release of Treasure's sublime shmup Ikaruga on the eShop. Teasing its attendance at PAX West 2018, the American publisher recently tweeted a photo of a gigantic game case with Ikaruga plastered...
Sunday1st Jul 2018
Random NieR: Automata Game Director Explains How He Was Inspired By Ikaruga
Total respect for Treasure's shmup
In celebration of the recent re-release of Ikaruga on multiple platforms including the Switch eShop, the Japanese publication Famitsu sat down with Yoko Taro - the director of the highly praised NieR: Automata - to discuss how exactly Treasure's sublime shmup has influenced his own work over the years...
Friday8th Jun 2018
Feature Nicalis On The Timeless Allure Of Physical Games And Bringing More Treasure Titles To Switch
"We're always listening to fan requests"
American publisher Nicalis has been around for longer than you might think, and has recently gained recognition for its efforts to publish physical versions of Switch games with extra treats for fans. Such goodies often include delightful trinkets such as soundtrack CDs or retro inspired instruction manuals;...
Friday18th May 2018
News Code Of Princess EX Launches On 31 July In The West
EXpect good things
The 3DS has had its fair share of beat ‘em ups over the years, but one of the standout releases was found in Code Of Princess, a spiritual successor to Treasure’s Guardian Heroes. Bringing high intensity action and a bizarre and humorous plot, it was a memorable release that we quite liked when we originally reviewed it. A few...
Thursday10th May 2018
News Cave Story And The Binding Of Isaac Go Head-To-Head In New Puzzle-Fighter, Crystal Crisis
A new crossover title from Nicalis
Nicalis has just announced a new crossover title, the puzzle-fighter mashup that is Crystal Crisis. Bringing together characters from Cave Story+, The Binding of Isaac, Tezuka Productions, Code of Princess EX and 1001 Spikes
Tuesday1st May 2018
News Ikaruga Will Be Dual-Phasing To Switch Later This Month
No more teases, only shmup bliss
Treasure has teamed up with Nicalis to bring at long last (after some cruel teasing) legendary Arcade/Gamecube/Dreamcast cult classic Ikaruga digitally to the Switch on the 29th of May. The complete experience - featuring local co-op along with online leader boards and Switch TATE option - will set you back $15 in...
Thursday8th Mar 2018
News Code Of Princess EX Is Headed To Nintendo Switch This Summer
An action-packed hack-'n'-slasher from Nicalis
Action-RPG Code Of Princess is getting a makeover in the form of Code Of Princess EX, and it's headed straight for Nintendo Switch this summer. The remastered version will include HD graphics, a local co-op option and numerous other gameplay additions and enhancements. These improvements...
Tuesday14th Nov 2017
News Nicalis Is Bringing The End Is Nigh To Switch Just In Time For Christmas
Repent, sinners
What are you hoping Santa will bring you for Christmas this year? If you are lucky perhaps you will get the cheerily-titled The End Is Nigh, which Nicalis is bringing to Switch as a physical release on 12th December. For those not in the know, The End Is Nigh is the latest game from award-winning designer...
Thursday2nd Nov 2017
News Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap Is Getting A Physical Release On Switch
Thanks to Nicalis
We absolutely adored Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap when it landed on the Switch eShop earlier this year; Lizardcube's retro remake took the Sega Master System classic and improved on it in every way possible. Of course retro gamers love nothing more than collecting boxes and game cards, so having this game as a download only...
Tuesday31st Oct 2017
News Ittle Dew 2+ Begins Its Switch Adventure Very Soon
With a neat retail version in North America
Some of you may recall Ittle Dew by Ludosity, which saw release on the Wii U eShop and a range of platforms. It was once pitched as a Legend of Zelda game to Nintendo, but eventually forged its own identity and arrived as a rather good game. The re-jigged version of its successor, Ittle Dew 2+, is...
Monday23rd Oct 2017
News VVVVVV Will be Defying Gravity on Switch This November
I hope you're happy now
Nicalis has been a prolific publisher in the first year of the Nintendo Switch, in some cases with retail titles. It's dipping more into affordable downloads now, however, and another to add to the list will be VVVVVV; it'll arrive on 17th November priced $9.99USD or 9,99€ in Europe. Originally developed by Terry...
Wednesday13th Sep 2017
News Nicalis Unveils Snazzy Website to Celebrate Its 10 Year Anniversary
Promises "some very cool announcements" in the coming months
Nicalis was a familiar name to Nintendo gamers in the Wii, Wii U and 3DS eras, but it's risen to prominence in the short lifespan of the Switch. It's been active in bringing out budget retail titles in particular, with the physical editions for the likes of Cave Story+ and The Binding of...
Monday11th Sep 2017
News Tiny Barbarian DX Gets Release Date and Retail Edition Goodies
Colour manual! Keychain! Pouch!
Nicalis is establishing itself as a premier 'indie retail' publisher on the Switch, releasing games that include attractive extras in early runs of physical copies. It's now confirmed that its next release along those lines - Tiny Barbarian DX - will arrive in North America on 10th October. The box art by Susumu...
Wednesday6th Sep 2017
News GameStop Cancels Redout Pre-Orders Amid Release Date Confusion
Will it ever reach the finish line?
Anti-grav racer Redout was one of the first third party games to be confirmed for Switch but it's still yet to see release on Nintendo's console; not so long ago we reported that its release date was very much up in the air and it would seem that the situation hasn't changed all that much since. People who have...
Tuesday5th Sep 2017
News Nicalis Teases VVVVVV and More for the Switch
Along with Code of Princess and 1001 Spikes (maybe!)
Good old Nicalis does like to keep us on our toes. A recent tweet following its time exhibiting at PAX has sent the interwebz into detective mode about which games it will be bringing to the Switch eShop, which hadn't previously been confirmed. Having ploughed through the NeoGAF thread, these...
Tuesday29th Aug 2017
Save me, Mr. Tako!
Californian publisher Nicalis has announced the release of platformer / RPG crossover Save me Mr Tako: Tasukete Tako-San on Nintendo Switch, due out in the fourth quarter of this year.. From 23-year-old French developer Christophe Galati and composer Marc-Antoine Archier, Tako-San is a love letter to both the Game Boy...
Tuesday15th Aug 2017
News Nicalis Would Love To Bring Night Trap To Nintendo Switch
"If Nintendo weren't such *****, LRG would have done it"
Publisher Nicalis has been doing a great job in bringing games such as Cave Story+ and The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ to Nintendo Switch retail. Collectors really appreciate physical releases such as this, and Nicalis clearly has a way of convincing Nintendo to relax its policies, as...
Friday4th Aug 2017
News Cave Story+ Receives Free Classic Graphics Update
Just like the good ol’ days
It’s a bit of an understatement to say that Cave Story has been released on a lot of platforms; Cave Story+ on the Switch is just the latest in a long line. Over the years, various iterations have tweaked and iterated on the original art style, and the new release did that yet again and offered a marginally different...
Thursday20th Jul 2017
News Tiny Barbarian DX To Feature Lovely Box-Art By Beloved Famitsu Artist
We love some nice box art!
Nicalis is on a bit of roll at the moment, with several games headed to the Switch in retail packaging; one of these is Tiny Barbarian DX, which is now scheduled for release in the fourth quarter of 2017 with an MSRP of $29.99. A European release could happen further down the line via Headup Games, as...
Wednesday19th Jul 2017
News '90s Super GP Will Be Power Sliding On To Switch Soon
The game formerly known as '90s Arcade Racer
We were really looking forward to the gorgeous-looking 90's Arcade Racer landing on the Wii U eShop yonks ago, but it was not to be. Last year we reported that the game would no longer be coming to the Wii U and had been renamed as '90s Super GP. Thankfully we now have confirmation that Nicalis will...
Tuesday11th Jul 2017
News Cave Story+ Will Be Receiving Classic Graphics in a Free August Update
Gaming like it's 2004
Cave Story is one of those games that it seems will just never go away for good. The early 2000’s freeware game made big waves in the then fledgling indie scene, and has since been ported to just about every device that can reasonably run it. Throughout all those ports, incremental updates have been made that have improved...
Monday12th Jun 2017
News Nicalis Confirms Tiny Barbarian DX And Ittle Dew 2+ For Switch
Alongside Blade Strangers and The End is Nigh
Indie publisher Nicalis has confirmed that it is bringing Tiny Barbarian DX and Ittle Dew 2+ to the Nintendo Switch, as well as Blade Strangers and The End Is Nigh, both of which we already knew about. Coded by StarQuail Games, Tiny Barbarian DX offers "two-player coop
News Blade Strangers is a New Fighting Game Heading to Switch
Made by Nicalis and Studio Saizensen
Nicalis appeared today in the Twitch@E3 stream, and confirmed a new fighting title that's coming to Nintendo Switch along with other platforms such as PS4, PC and arcades. Co-developed with Studio Saizensen - Code of Princess and Sayonara UmiharaKawase / Yumi's Odd Odyssey - and features...
Thursday20th Apr 2017
News Nicalis Teases a Binding of Isaac amiibo
Shh, no tears
It's rather fascinating to think how far The Binding of Isaac has come on Nintendo platforms. After being initially denied from the Nintendo ecosystem a few years back due to controversial content in the game, it later went on to make an appearance on both 3DS and Wii U, with the most recent and complete edition making an appearance on...
Monday10th Apr 2017
News Headup Games is Bringing The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ to Europe as a Switch Retail Release
The start of a "strategic alliance" with Nicalis
Whenever we cover release details for Nicalis titles, in particular anything going to retail such as The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ and Cave Story+, 'in North America' should be an assumed add-on. The logistical challenges and realities of retail distribution has meant that early efforts from the...
Wednesday5th Apr 2017
News Switch Anti-Grav Racer Redout Could Be Making An Unscheduled Pitstop, According To Amazon
Pushed back to the end of the year
It looks like Switch racer Redout has been hit with a delay, as retailer Amazon has pushed its release date back to the end of the year. The game was scheduled for a Q2 release but we've not heard anything else since the launch of the console. Amazon now lists the North American release date as December 29th.
Tuesday4th Apr 2017
News Cave Story+ Launches on the Switch on 20th June
Digitally and physically
For quite some time now, Nicalis has been not-so-subtly hinting that Cave Story would be making its way over to the Switch. And while it may be the case that the game is available on loads of others platforms already—not to mention the fact that the game is literally available for free—it still stands to reason that...
Thursday9th Mar 2017
News The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ is Set for 17th March Release on Nintendo Switch in NA
Those cool little manuals are getting packed up
The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ was initially expected as a Nintendo Switch launch game, but its release slid back to later in the month. The good news is that, in North America at least, the title is now set to arrive on the eShop and at retail on 17th March - it'll be $39.99 on the eShop. The...
