Baroque YA Collection Announced for Nintendo Switch: Multi-Genre Sting Series Returns

Sting Announces Baroque YA Collection for Nintendo Switch, Bringing Classic Multi-Genre Series to a New Generation Japanese developer Sting has officially announced "Baroque YA," a comprehensive collection of four distinct titles from the Baroque series, scheduled for release on Nintendo Switch in Japan on December 18th, 2024.

This collection brings together entries from one of the most genre-spanning and inventive franchises in Japanese gaming, offering both longtime fans and newcomers a rare opportunity to explore the series’ legacy on modern hardware. First debuting in 1998 for the Sega Saturn, the original Baroque was a unique post-apocalyptic RPG that carved out a niche for itself with its dark, roguelike structure.

Its atmospheric storytelling and challenging mechanics garnered a cult following and led to a Wii port in 2008, further expanding its audience outside of Japan.

Over the years, the Baroque series diversified, adding visual novels, platformers, and shoot 'em up entries, each exploring different facets of the franchise’s dystopian world. The newly unveiled Baroque YA Switch collection will include four key titles: - BAROQUE: Original Version – The celebrated RPG that started it all on Sega Saturn and was later ported to other platforms. - BAROQUE Syndrome – A visual novel spinoff that delves deeper into Baroque’s lore and character backstories. - BAROQUE Shooting: Reversed – A genre-defying shoot 'em up experience with a distinct Baroque twist. - BAROQUE ~Become a Meta-Being~ Revive – An action-oriented platformer expanding the series’ gameplay variety. Speaking on the significance of this release, Sting emphasized their commitment to preserving the legacy of Baroque, noting that assembling these genre-diverse games into a single, easily accessible package is a response to longstanding fan requests.

"We wanted to give both new and returning players a comprehensive Baroque experience on a modern platform," a Sting representative stated in a recent press briefing.

"This collection represents the breadth of innovation that defines the Baroque series." Currently, the Baroque YA collection has only been confirmed for release on the Japanese Nintendo eShop, with a physical edition also expected for the Japan market.

While there is no official confirmation regarding a western release at this time, international fans have often turned to the Japan eShop or import retailers to access exclusive titles, a testament to the enduring popularity of Sting’s catalog. Since its inception, the Baroque series has enjoyed a dedicated fanbase and critical attention for its willingness to experiment across genres.

The return of its seminal entries on Nintendo Switch not only provides new accessibility for modern players but also underscores the continuing vitality of classic Japanese game development. Baroque YA will become available for purchase starting December 18th, 2024, exclusively in Japan.

Stay tuned to official Sting channels and the Nintendo eShop for future updates about potential international availability or localization news.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Japan Switch Baroque Sting Baroque YA Baroque Original Baroque Syndrome Baroque Shooting Baroque Revive