New Tales and Madagascar-based Red Raketa Studio today unveiled Kalanoro, a hand-drawn action-adventure set to arrive on Nintendo Switch this summer.
The collaboration positions Kalanoro as an indie release with strong cultural roots, blending Malagasy folklore, platforming combat, and band-building mechanics for a distinct musical journey on Nintendo's console and eShop ecosystem.
Background and developer context
Red Raketa Studio, founded in 2021, leads development in partnership with publisher New Tales.
The studio has framed Kalanoro as a vibrant tribute to Malagasy culture, using Unreal Engine to power colorful, hand-crafted visuals and dynamic animation.
A debut trailer accompanies the announcement, and the teams say an official release date will be shared soon.
Game overview
Kalanoro follows Kalakely, a small Kalanoro figure drawn from Malagasy folklore, who becomes an unlikely hero tasked with stopping the witch Raneny.
Players will traverse Lemuria, a lively island world, recruiting eccentric lemur artists to form a touring band.
Gameplay mixes platforming, momentum-based movement, and close-quarters combat that uses both mystical hair-powered abilities and improvised weapons found in the environment.
Rewritten developer statement
Developers describe Kalanoro as a feel-good rebellion centered on collective creativity and music.
The team emphasizes that combat and movement are designed to be joyful and theatrical, while the core loop pairs rescue missions and boss encounters with band management and performance preparation.
Mechanics and presentation
Throughout Lemuria players will jump across handcrafted levels, navigate industrial traps, and face boss fights that lean into theatrical design.
Between major stages the band travels in a rusty taxi-brousse that acts as home base.
Players must bond with recruited musicians through mini-games, manage band morale, and expand popularity ahead of headline performances.
Soundtrack and cultural ties
The game’s soundtrack features Malagasy artists including Denise, Jyeuhair, and Marco Klarck, whose contributions helped shape the project’s musical identity.
With its cultural focus, hand-drawn art, and Unreal Engine production values, Kalanoro aims to stand out among upcoming Nintendo Switch indie releases.
What to expect next
An exact Nintendo Switch release date has not yet been announced.
The developers indicate further details will be provided in the lead-up to the summer launch, and additional Nintendo Switch coverage will follow through official channels.
The collaboration positions Kalanoro as an indie release with strong cultural roots, blending Malagasy folklore, platforming combat, and band-building mechanics for a distinct musical journey on Nintendo's console and eShop ecosystem.
Background and developer context
Red Raketa Studio, founded in 2021, leads development in partnership with publisher New Tales.
The studio has framed Kalanoro as a vibrant tribute to Malagasy culture, using Unreal Engine to power colorful, hand-crafted visuals and dynamic animation.
A debut trailer accompanies the announcement, and the teams say an official release date will be shared soon.
Game overview
Kalanoro follows Kalakely, a small Kalanoro figure drawn from Malagasy folklore, who becomes an unlikely hero tasked with stopping the witch Raneny.
Players will traverse Lemuria, a lively island world, recruiting eccentric lemur artists to form a touring band.
Gameplay mixes platforming, momentum-based movement, and close-quarters combat that uses both mystical hair-powered abilities and improvised weapons found in the environment.
Rewritten developer statement
Developers describe Kalanoro as a feel-good rebellion centered on collective creativity and music.
The team emphasizes that combat and movement are designed to be joyful and theatrical, while the core loop pairs rescue missions and boss encounters with band management and performance preparation.
Mechanics and presentation
Throughout Lemuria players will jump across handcrafted levels, navigate industrial traps, and face boss fights that lean into theatrical design.
Between major stages the band travels in a rusty taxi-brousse that acts as home base.
Players must bond with recruited musicians through mini-games, manage band morale, and expand popularity ahead of headline performances.
Soundtrack and cultural ties
The game’s soundtrack features Malagasy artists including Denise, Jyeuhair, and Marco Klarck, whose contributions helped shape the project’s musical identity.
With its cultural focus, hand-drawn art, and Unreal Engine production values, Kalanoro aims to stand out among upcoming Nintendo Switch indie releases.
What to expect next
An exact Nintendo Switch release date has not yet been announced.
The developers indicate further details will be provided in the lead-up to the summer launch, and additional Nintendo Switch coverage will follow through official channels.