Inti Creates Announces Kingdom's Return: Time-Eating Fruit and the Ancient Monster for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2

Inti Creates, renowned for its contributions to the action platformer genre, has officially revealed its latest project, Kingdom’s Return: Time-Eating Fruit and the Ancient Monster, set to debut on April 23, 2026.

Launching simultaneously on both the Nintendo Switch and its successor, the Nintendo Switch 2, this highly anticipated title blends action RPG fundamentals with strategic city building, symbolizing another ambitious step for the developer. Kingdom’s Return: Time-Eating Fruit and the Ancient Monster transports players into a magical world where the fractured kingdom of Almacia must be restored.

Taking inspiration from classic 2D side-scrolling adventures, the game introduces a hybrid gameplay approach: players traverse dynamic action stages to gather essential resources, which are then used to reconstruct and customize their kingdom.

The seamless fusion of action and strategy offers an experience reminiscent of genre-defining titles, while injecting fresh mechanics and depth unique to Inti Creates. In a statement, Inti Creates outlined that players can choose from four distinctive heroes: Imperial, Alchemist, Wizard, and Zipangu.

Each character represents a unique playstyle and strategic advantage.

Imperial is a resilient close-range fighter adept at utilizing her shield and counterattacks.

Alchemist specializes in concocting potions to inflict various status effects on enemies, sacrificing direct combat prowess for control over the battlefield.

Wizard brings long-range spellcasting power, though careful resource management and positioning are vital due to her lower defense.

Zipangu, meanwhile, excels in agile attacks and dodges, making him a formidable offensive presence if used skillfully. The narrative centers on a lone adventurer who, with the guidance of the enigmatic Fairy of Time, Chronos, undertakes the monumental task of reviving Almacia.

By combining the thrill of 2D action exploration with thoughtful city-building strategy, players must outmaneuver dangerous bosses and continually upgrade both their characters and kingdom.

Inti Creates notes that placing specific buildings can even enhance the statistics of the party, adding further incentive to optimize city layouts and progress deeper into the game's challenging stages. To accommodate early adopters, Kingdom’s Return: Time-Eating Fruit and the Ancient Monster will include an upgrade option.

Players who purchase the Nintendo Switch version will have access to an upgrade pack for the Nintendo Switch 2, ensuring continuity across hardware generations—a commitment that has become increasingly important as the Nintendo ecosystem evolves. With decades of award-winning development behind them, Inti Creates’ foray into the hybrid RPG and city-builder space is poised to attract attention when Kingdom’s Return launches on April 23, 2026.

Look for the game on the Nintendo eShop for both the current and next-generation Switch platforms, and expect further updates as the release date approaches.