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Nippon Ichi
Nippon Ichi Software is releasing multiple titles across current-generation platforms, with demos and full launches for GOBBLE, Kyōran Makaiism, and Hono Kurashi no Niwa, and a Village in the Shade multi-platform debut in Japan's weekly rankings.
Synthesized from 5
Yomimono stories · updated
Aug 10
Nippon Ichi Software's recent output spans several genres and platforms, with a focus on demos and simultaneous releases. The company released a demo for the side-scrolling action game GOBBLE on July 2, 2026, for Nintendo Switch2, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5. The demo covers the first three stages and lets players try the devour-and-trait system, where enemies are consumed to recover hearts and acquire traits like Flame, Frost, Jet, and Plant. Save data transfers to the full version, which launches September 24, 2026, on Switch2, Switch, PS5, and PC via Steam and Windows.
On July 10, 2026, Nippon Ichi Software released a Steam demo for the action RPG Kyōran Makaiism, containing three exclusive stages not in the full game. The full game launches on Steam on July 24, 2026, following its original console release on January 29, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo Switch. The same day, the company posted five gameplay videos for the life simulation game Hono Kurashi no Niwa, developed by the Yomawari horror series staff. That game launches July 30, 2026, for Switch 2, Switch, PS5, Steam, and Windows.
In the weekly Famitsu rankings for July 27 to August 2, Village in the Shade debuted at three positions: Switch 2 at number 3, Switch at number 7, and PS5 at number 11. Separately, Hamster Corporation's Console Archives series added the 1998 musical RPG Märchen Kingdom: The Puppet Princess for Switch 2 and PS5 on July 9, 2026, marking the first Nippon Ichi Software title in that lineup.
Key facts
- GOBBLE demo release date
- July 2, 2026, for Switch2, Switch, and PS5 ↗
- GOBBLE full release date
- September 24, 2026, on Switch2, Switch, PS5, and PC via Steam and Windows ↗
- Kyōran Makaiism Steam demo release
- July 10, 2026, with three exclusive stages ↗
- Kyōran Makaiism full Steam release
- July 24, 2026; original console release January 29, 2026 ↗
- Hono Kurashi no Niwa release date
- July 30, 2026, for Switch 2, Switch, PS5, Steam, and Windows ↗
- Hono Kurashi no Niwa developer
- Staff of the Yomawari horror series, with planning and game design by Yuu Mizokami ↗
- Village in the Shade debut rankings
- Switch 2 at number 3, Switch at number 7, PS5 at number 11 in Famitsu weekly rankings ↗
- Märchen Kingdom: The Puppet Princess release
- July 9, 2026, on Switch 2 and PS5 via Console Archives, priced at 1,500 yen ↗
- First Nippon Ichi title in Console Archives
- Märchen Kingdom: The Puppet Princess is the first Nippon Ichi Software title in the series ↗
Timeline
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself
sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every
fact links the story it came from.
Claim activity
When a claim about Nippon Ichi was confirmed, debunked, or disputed against
open-web sources. The record stays even after a claim drops off the facts list.
- Confirmed Nippon Ichi produces Village in the Shade 4d ago · source
All coverage
2d ago
Nippon Ichi Software began distributing a game trial for the life simulation game "Hono Kurashi no Niwa" on September 7, 2026, for PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers. The trial lets players play the full game for up to 5 hours, and save data carries over to the purchased version. The game is set in a nostalgic rural village called Kagatsu Village, where players farm, raise livestock, fish, hunt, and deepen relationships with villagers. It was created by the staff of the Yomawari series. The village has an old rule, and breaking it triggers unsettling events; at night the village shows a different face. An "Anshin Kurashi Mode" is available for players who dislike horror, preventing scary events. The game is available for PS5, PC, Switch 2, and Switch, and has sold 200,000 copies in Japan. The trial is distributed through the PlayStation Store and is limited to the Premium tier of PlayStation Plus.
Aug 19
Hamster Corporation will release Console Archives Little Princess: Maru Oukoku no Ningyou Hime 2 for Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5 on August 20, 2026. The game, priced at 1,500 yen, is a revival of Nippon Ichi Software's 1999 musical RPG for the original PlayStation. It is set 12 years after the previous game, Maru Oukoku no Ningyou Hime, and follows Kururu, the daughter of Cornet and Prince Ferdinand, as she travels the Maru Kingdom in search of her ideal prince. The battle system has been overhauled from the predecessor, with command-based combat where special moves consume HP and partner dolls use the in-game currency Inochium. Filling the Gratitude Gauge through doll attacks enables a powerful Reward attack. Defeated monsters can join the party as dolls, and equipping them boosts stats. The Console Archives series aims to faithfully reproduce classics on modern hardware, including features like button and screen customization and save/load anywhere. The previous game in the series is also available for the same platforms.
Aug 11
NIS America announced it will release Nippon Ichi Software's Village in the Shade on October 27 for Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam. The game, which launched in Japan on July 30, follows a lost protagonist who is taken in by villagers and must work for them. A Limited Edition and pre-orders are available.
Aug 7
Famitsu's Japan game rankings for July 27 to August 2 show Splatoon Raiders holding the top spot with 73,542 weekly copies. Nippon Ichi's Village in the Shade debuts at three positions: Switch 2 at number 3, Switch at number 7, and PS5 at number 11. Two Prince of Tennis titles also enter the chart at numbers 5 and 6.
Jul 11
Nippon Ichi Software released a Steam demo for the action RPG Kyōran Makaiism on July 10, 2026. The demo contains three special stages not found in the main game, each with a distinct difficulty level: Prinny, Demon, and Demon Lord. All seven weapon types from the full game are usable - sword, fist, spear, bow, gun, axe, and staff - and each stage takes about 5 to 10 minutes to clear. Save data from the demo cannot be transferred to the full version. The full game launches on Steam on July 24, 2026. Demos for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo Switch will follow on July 23. The game originally released on those consoles on January 29, 2026. Development lead is Shunsuke Minowa, character design is by Takehito Harada, and music is by Tenpei Sato. The story follows a mercenary named N.A. (voiced by Takuya Eguchi) hired by the new demon lord Tisiel (Aoi Koga) to retrieve a stolen pudding.
Jul 10
Nippon Ichi Software released five gameplay videos for the life simulation game Hono Kurashi no Niwa on July 10, 2026, via the official website. The videos, each following a different play style, were posted sequentially on the game's X account from July 6 to July 10 before being compiled. The styles are: savoring each day slowly, enjoying DIY, living with animals, walking the night village, and devoting to farming. The game is set in the nostalgic countryside village of Kagetsu Village and is developed by the staff of the Yomawari horror series, with planning and game design by Yuu Mizokami. Hono Kurashi no Niwa launches on July 30, 2026, for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Steam, and Windows. The price is 9,020 yen for the Switch 2, PS5, Steam, and Windows versions, and 7,920 yen for the Switch version. The game carries a CERO C rating, indicating ages 15 and up. The night exploration video in particular shows a main scenario, late-night exploration, a skill tree, and a library, hinting at a darker layer beneath the peaceful rural life.
Jul 8
Hamster Corporation will release the 1998 musical RPG "Märchen Kingdom: The Puppet Princess" as part of its Console Archives series for Nintendo Switch 2 and PlayStation 5 on July 9, 2026. The game, originally developed by Nippon Ichi Software for 32-bit home consoles, is priced at 1,500 yen. The story follows a girl named Cornet who has the mysterious ability to befriend dolls, and she sets out to rescue a prince kidnapped by villains. Players cooperate with dolls that fight alongside Cornet as they progress through the adventure. The Console Archives series aims to faithfully reproduce classic titles on modern hardware, adding features such as button and screen customization, anywhere save and load, and CRT-style screen filters. This marks the first Nippon Ichi Software title to appear in the Console Archives lineup. The game was followed by two sequels, and a 25th anniversary collection containing all three titles was released in 2024 for PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch.
Jul 2
Nippon Ichi Software released a demo for the side-scrolling action game GOBBLE on July 2, 2026, for Nintendo Switch2, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation 5. The demo includes the first three stages, covering roughly 30 minutes of play from the beginning up to just before the first boss fight. Save data from the demo can be transferred to the full version, which is scheduled for release on September 24, 2026, on Switch2, Switch, PS5, and PC via Steam and Windows. The demo lets players experience the core mechanic of devouring enemies to recover hearts and acquire traits such as Flame, Frost, Jet, and Plant. These traits can be used for attacks, exploration, and solving stage gimmicks like blocks, wooden obstacles, flowing water, falling rocks, and switch-operated walls. A special action called Hook Jump lets players bite onto vine-like hook points and fling themselves to higher areas. Alongside the demo, Nippon Ichi Software released the main promotional movie, which shows the evolving relationship between protagonist Luto and the self-proclaimed strongest monster Kamael.