In a recent interview with Nintenderos, Vanillaware president George Kamitani admitted that he wants to bring Wii Metroidvania Muramasa: The Demon Blade to modern consoles one day. However, there are things stopping it.
Vanillaware has been on a bit of a roll lately with Switch ports. In 2022, the critically acclaimed sci-fi adventure game 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim got a near-flawless port on the console, and in a few months' time, PS2 RTS GrimGrimoire is getting an enhanced rerelease called GrimGrimoire OnceMore. And while Kamitani wants the beautiful Edo Japan-set Metroidvania to join those two titles (Odin Sphere and Dragon's Crown have both also received ports on other consoles), it's not so easy.
Kamitani was vague about the potential of a port besides admitting that it's something he wants to do. When Nintenderos asked the artist and president about the potential port, this was his response (Editor's note: We've updated the quote below with an official translation from Nintenderos — thank you!):
"I think we would. I, too, would like to port Muramasa, but there are issues there that I won’t go into…
Our priority now is to start on the homework that has been piling up on us…meaning, get to work on the games that we’ve been planning to make."
Muramasa has already received an enhanced rerelease — back in 2013, Muramasa Rebirth launched on the PS Vita with a new localisation and four additional DLC stories. But it's only on the Vita, which was specifically chosen because of the little handheld's OLED screen. Well, we know another console that has an OLED screen — and oh boy, does 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim look incredible on it.
Despite being vague, it does sound like Vanillaware is pretty busy at the moment. And in the same interview, Kamitani teases a new game from the developer that he's not personally working on, but one that was teased in the prologue episode of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. Kamitani is also working on his own project, but he says that it "won't be finished for several years".
You can read the full interview over at Nintenderos. In the meantime, if you're dying for some more Vanillaware on your Switch, then you can pick up GrimGrimoire OnceMore on 4th April (North America) or 7th April (Europe).
Would you like to see a Muramasa port on Switch? Let us know in the comments!
[source nintenderos.com]
Comments 57
This is probably the port I want the most. Muramasa was beautiful on the Wii and one of my favorites back then
I wonder about Demon's Crown as well. Personally, I would want a port of Demon's Crown to Switch before Muramasa. If only because Hitoshi Sakimoto is my favorite composer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhNCvAFKJ4I
Surprised they didn’t port Dragon Crown again to the newer platforms. It’s like their most well known game for better or worse.
That's a shame. Of all their games, this is the one I'd most like ported.
I played the original on Wii, but never finished it. And then when the Vita version released, I tried it, but never got past the first hour since I didn't own a Vita.
I hope they're able to squeeze in a port at some point in the future. Be a shame to leave the game trapped on that sad existence of a handheld.
It was beautiful on the wii, also had a stunning soundtrack. I always wanted to play dragons crown
I haven't opened my Muramasa Wii copy yet... why am I taking so long?
@Arawn93 or worse?
Really hope it happens someday, this is the one Vanillaware game that was both beautiful and not incredibly tedious & boring.
Oh weird I was thinking about this very thing the other day, I recently beat Dragon's Crown, and had a hankering to play Muramasa again. Seemed odd to me that it hadn't already been ported to Switch. Probably just dig up my old Wii copy.
It's worth mentioning that while not quite to the same level of quality as a Vanillaware game, Sword of the Vagrant does a pretty good job of emulating their style.
This and Odin Sphere are the Vanillaware games most people want brought to modern consoles, I'm sure. It'd be awesome.
Muramasa is a fantastic game (that I finally played through during the lockdown), but I don't know that I'd want to play through it all again. But it would be a shame for such a pretty game to not make its way back to modern consoles. More people need to experience this game.
An HD remaster for all major platforms would be the best way to go. I had the original game on wii - my friend lost it, and I just never got back in to it, though he offered to replace it.
I have played a lot of the other Vanillaware games - 13 Sentinels, Dragon's Crown Pro, Odin's Sphere - They are all very good, but I have the fondest memories playing through Muramasa. I would get into a "flow state" with that game and just slice away for hours.
Let's hope they work it out and get this game to as many places as possible. It would be naturally be a good fit on switch, but I would like to see it in 4k too.
Shouldn't be too hard to port the PS Vita version to Switch with all DLC included. It looks like they still had other projects to get through before taking on a Muramasa port and if that's the case then so be it. There's no rushing a good remastered.
The first Vanillaware game I ever bought, I still have the orignal Wii game as well as the 'Rebirth' Vita version. Good memories.
I like it on Vita!
@OldManHermit Dragon’s Crown was fantastic. It was easily the game that saw the most hours played on my Vita. If they ever ported it to Switch it would be an instant purchase.
Muramasa, Odin Sphere and Dragon's Crown would all feel very much at home on Switch, but at least they're portable enough on Vita (albeit with Dragon's Crown delisted😅), so getting 13 Sentinels and GrimGrimoire on Switch ahead of them can actually feel more topical. Still, chances are I would be in the market for all three here.
Ah, Muramasa, the game that made me buy my first Nintendo console and the reason I wanted a Vita back then. Really want it to be ported on modern consoles but I AM intrigued by Vanillaware's next game.
I want dragon crown for all platform, I want it on my switch, steam deck, and xbox series 😃
I had muramasa rebirth on psvita but I didn't finish it yet, and now I didn't have the console anymore. I also want this on others system.
I passed a copy of this up the other day, retailing for too much. Would like to give it a chance but not for $50+, there's still plenty for me to pick up on wii while prices are low. I'm sure any remaster would be selling for $50+ anyways and would be more accessible.
At least it is on his mind.
I really want muramasa on my switch. Hell if they are in a giving mood some dragons crown because I’ve never played that one. I have it on the Wii U but there is setup and I’m too lazy to do it.
I had it on Wii. The graphic style is gorgeous! But the story is a bit bland and the combat system had no depth and is kind of broken. I would not buy a simple port. They'd have to rework he combat system at least.
do it do it love that game.
Absolutely amazing game. I would buy a port for sure.
Need to finish it on Wii, backlog shows no signs of decreasing.
I never played Muramasa, but the game looks beautiful, and I'd love to try it out one day.
The Wii game looks and runs great on the Steam Deck, it's just the controls are whacky. Having to jump by pressing up is very awkward.
I never saw this game on the style of "MeTRoiDVaNIA", what a terrible term. But yeah, what an amazing game, wonder what are the issues that keep them from porting it to the Switch.
@Edu23XWiiU personally I'd call it a sidescroller brawler/2D hack'n'slash.
But to be fair, you can hardly classify modern games in a single classic 12 genres or so
Muramasa Rebirth is one of the incredibly few noteworthy third party games that is still stucked on Vita for some reason (alongside Tales of Hearts R and idk what else) so a re release on anything would be wolcomed.
Muramasa always did seem interesting to me, but I didn't want to play it with the Wii's controls, and I was put off by the Vita and its memory cards, so it would be nice to have it on more current platforms. A PC version would be nice!
That's okay. After all, that's why we have Dolphin. I can even play with a semi-normal button layout too, instead of those wonky "jump by pressing up" controls.
It would fit the trend if they announced a Switch port soon. Kirby Return to Dreamland was announced soon after I finally got a Wii copy, and the same with A Boy and His Blob. I recently got Muramasa for Wii.
Never got the true ending, so I would defo be up for a Switch port.
a Muramasa port would nice.
Dragon's Crown tho.
Be great to see the game on switch
Personally I'd like a PC port as well to make the game a bit more timeless, and not just limited to the switch.
I really liked Muramasa in the on the Wii. I believe that was the 1st Vanillaware game I played. Really enjoyed Dragons Crown and 13 Sentinels too.
We need Dragon Crown and Odin Sphere.
DUUUUUDE when I saw grimgrimoir was getting a rerelease I was hoping this would be right behind it 😵 the countless hours I spent on the Wii edition only rival that of xenoblade 😵 such a gorgeous game and so much fun. If anyone at their studio sees these comments Please make this happen 😵😵😵😵 I’m glad it hasn’t been forgotten but man this game is super underrated.
Played demons crown and muramasa on vita and loved them both.
Would pick them up on switch if they ever came out…
I have Dragons Crown and Odin Sphere nib for my Vita, but no Muramasa physical copy. I'd love all of their games on Switch.
Hah funny, I had just played this game a couple days ago on my phone. Not as fun as I remember it (rather mindless attack mashing) but it sure does look purdy.
Dragon's Crown would find a warm welcome on Switch since it's a 4 player beat em up and those are doing really well on Switch.
I want all three ported, even in a collection because I never got to play them....
Would buy again in a heartbeat
@Captain_Toad
“or worse”
= Tig bitties bad.
My best guess is the IP is partially or wholly owned by the original publisher, Marvelous, and they are uninterested in a modern port. Perhaps there is a royalties dispute somewhere. Purely conecjture on my part, of course.
I would absolutely love a port of Murumasa. It was lowkey one of my favorite games on Wii. From its traditionalist music to gorgeous painterly graphics, the medieval Japanese folk love that saturates everything in that game visuals just beyond breathtaking. It feels almost like an interactive piece of art. And that's not even getting into how fun the game plays.
Fond memories of this one. I had it for both Wii and Vita and enjoyed it heavily on both. For that reason, I don't think I'd buy it again, but it would be nice to have the option.
While they're at it, Dragon's Crown is born for a Switch port. And Odin's Sphere while they're at it; I played DC to death, but my Vita broke before I could get very far in Odin's Sphere.
Eventually got a copy of this game on Wii, but I'd much prefer playing it on Switch/its successor so fingers crossed they port it at some point!
In the meanwhile I'd love to see ported any of the other fantastic Vanillaware games people have already mentioned in the comments!
I would buy a port of this game in a nanosecond! Who needs to eat I got a game to play!
I've wanted this ported since Nerrel made that video on it. Here's Hoping!
Maybe there's an issue with the Vita source code? Maybe it's lost or incomplete or would take extra work to port over?
I never played it and I'm ashamed of it.
I'd give it a chance had it been released on the Wii U eShop in the west. The Wii version is available for download on the Japanese Wii U eShop, but not on the western one and I cannot find a physical copy.
I'd KILL to get Muramasa on Switch or PS5... T_T
I platinumed Muramasa on Vita but never finished the DLCs. Muramasa is the port that I have wanted MOST to come to Switch. I was hoping it was already happening so I'm bummed it might never happen or not happen for a long time still. I feel like it'd sell the best of all their games. Also the updated Odin Sphere on Switch would be amazing too.
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