Highlights

  • Unicorn Overlord marks a shift for Vanillaware with a multi-console release, breaking its single-platform tradition.
  • Vanillaware's past games often released on only a single platform or family of consoles, like the PlayStation-exclusive Dragon's Crown.
  • Future Vanillaware projects should launch on multiple platforms simultaneously like Unicorn Overlord.

The February 21 Nintendo Switch Partner Direct brought with it the announcement that Unicorn 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 Overlord will 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 for Vanillaware, which previously limited most of its releases to a single console.

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Vanillaware Has Been Known For Single-Platform Releases

Vanillaware has released several titles since 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 was 13 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 of Grim 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.

Vanillaware Title

Console

Fantasy Earth: The Ring of Dominion

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)

Kumantachi

Nintendo DS (Japan only)

Muramasa: The Demon Blade

Nintendo Wii, PlayStation Vita (Remaster)

Grand Knights History

PlayStation Portable (Japan only)

Dragon's Crown

PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4 (Expanded port)

13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim

PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch (Expanded port)

Several Vanillaware Titles Would Be A Good Fit For Other Consoles

dragon's crown gameplay

Vanillaware executives previously described Unicorn Overlord as the developer's "biggest project yet," surpassing even 13 Sentinels in 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 Overlord projects 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 the Nintendo Switch, including some that have not previously seen a Western release. These include:

  • Dragon's Crown, an action role-playing game in a traditional high fantasy setting. It features elaborate 2D art and side-scrolling gameplay that would likely not be too visually or mechanically intensive for the Switch.
  • Grand Knights History, which also features a fantasy setting and tactical combat similar to Unicorn Overlord. This title has previously been a Japan exclusive, and a Switch release could bring it to the West for the first time.
  • Odin Sphere, which is one of Vanillaware's most popular titles and was developed in collaboration with Atlus, similar to 13 Sentinels and Unicorn Overlord. It has previously seen a remake, but that remake was limited to PlayStation consoles.
  • Muramasa: The Demon Blade, one of Vanillaware's only previous titles that initially saw release for a Nintendo console, the Wii. It is a side-scrolling action role-playing game with a historical Japanese setting.

Unicorn Overlord will release on March 8, 2024 for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.