Limited Run Games Announces New Physical Releases of Grandia, Castlevania, Shantae and More
Image via Devolver Digital
Limited Run Games had its annual conference Wednesday, in which the company announced its latest batch of previously digital-exclusive games getting physical editions.
In an increasingly digitized age, Limited Run Games has produced official physical copies of games that didn’t initially receive physical editions since its inception in 2015. Instead of putting the games in traditional retail, its titles are only available through its website, which is certainly convenient for those who’d rather not spend more time than necessary in physical stores right now.
You wouldn’t be faulted for thinking the intentionally cringe-worthy performances by announcers and fake audience members on a crudely animated digital stage were a tongue-in-cheek byproduct of needing to go digital due to social distancing guidelines. However, this is actually how they’ve always done the conference since its first one in 2017. It’s just taken on a whole new context in 2020.
Here are some of the coolest games announced to be getting physical editions at the event:
Shantae
Developer: WayForward
Physical platforms: Game Boy Color, Switch
Physical release window: September 2020
Due to a small number of copies produced when it launched in 2002 and its subsequent growing popularity as the series gets more entries, genuine copies of Shantae on the Game Boy Color and exorbitantly expensive on Ebay and other corners of the web. But no longer! The belly-dancing platformer is now being rereleased on its original platform, as well as the Switch, in physical cartridge forms. The original run will likely still fetch a high price, but if you’ve been looking to play Shantae’s first adventure on its original platform, it’ll soon cost less than $400 to do so.
Shantae: Risky’s Revenge — Director’s Cut
Developer: WayForward
Physical platform: Switch
Physical release window: September 2020
Originally releasing on the DSi in 2010, Shantae: Risky’s Revenge is the final legacy Shantae game to be released on Switch, and in physical format too! The director’s cut version features new warping abilities and a new “magic mode” which decreases both magic consumption and defense, giving the game an appropriately “risky” playstyle.
A Boy and His Blob
Developer: WayForward
Physical Platform: PlayStation 4
Physical release window: September 2020
“Although it improves greatly on the original, A Boy and His Blob isn’t perfect. The levels are often too short, the puzzles repetitive, and it’s not much of a challenge until the very end. It gets by on its adorable aesthetic, from the beautiful art design that looks like hand-drawn animation, to the touching relationship between the boy and his weird alien pet. This is a game with a dedicated hug button; push that whenever you like, and the boy will lean over and give the blob a great big hug. That hug is as warm, sweet and comforting as the game itself.” — Garrett Martin
Castlevania: Anniversary Collection
Developer: Konami
Physical platforms: Switch, PlayStation 4
Physical release window: Q3 2020
“The earliest Castlevania games get bundled up together in this compilation, which features three NES games, three Game Boy games, an one game apiece from the SNES and Genesis. This is largely before the series was reborn as a Metroid-style backtracking adventure—although Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest is legendarily obtuse. If you’re looking for some classic platforming that’s tougher and less forgiving than a Mario game, this bundle’s for you.” — Garrett Martin
Bloodstained: Circle of the Moon 2
Developer: Inti Creates
Physical platforms: Switch, PlayStation 4
Physical release window: TBD
“Meant as a short, retro-styled prelude to the Castlevania-inspired Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, Curse of the Moon managed to find its own audience as well thanks to its closer adherence to Castevania’s roots. Now, the game has a sequel in the works, maintaining its 8-bit style with new locations and characters.” — Joseph Stanichar
Observer
Developer: Bloober Team
Physical platform: Switch
Physical release window: TBD
“The original game concerns a detective known as an “Observer,” part of a unit that has the police force to hack people’s minds. The game stars Rutger Hauer of Blade Runner and Kingdom Hearts III fame as the game’s protagonist, Daniel. Hauer passed away in July of 2019, and it’s unknown if he had anything recorded for any future Observer releases. The game was released to mostly praise, having some wins across several notable game awards processions, including Giant Bomb’s and Game Informer’s. There is a very clear influence from the likes of seminal cyberpunk pieces of media, including the original Blade Runner.” — Austin Jones
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