Koei Tecmo has officially announced that Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on March 11, 2026, marking a major milestone for the classic survival horror franchise.
This full remake is the latest development in Koei Tecmo's ongoing commitment to revitalizing the Fatal Frame series, following acclaimed remasters of earlier entries and strong worldwide demand from fans for additional content. Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly, originally released in 2003 for PlayStation 2, is lauded as one of the most iconic entries in the Fatal Frame franchise, renowned for its atmospheric horror and innovative camera-based gameplay mechanics.
The upcoming remake represents the first instance in the series history where a game is being completely reimagined, rather than simply remastered, for modern platforms like the Nintendo Switch 2. Speaking to Japanese gaming publication 4Gamer, key members of the development team shed light on the decision to undertake this ambitious remake.
Makoto Shibata, a director for the series since its inception, alongside action director Hidehiko Nakajima, emphasized the significant fan support and internal passion behind the project. Nakajima reflected on the team's recent efforts: “With Fatal Frame, we previously released remasters of Maiden of Black Water and Mask of the Lunar Eclipse.
These updates were widely praised for enhancing the visuals, but we received frequent feedback from fans globally asking when Crimson Butterfly would get the remake or remaster treatment.
Those voices were a driving force for initiating development.” Shibata added, “Among all the requests for new remasters or entries in the series, the call for a Crimson Butterfly remake was the most consistent.
It truly highlighted the special place this title holds in the hearts of our players.
Within Koei Tecmo, many staff who played the original have fond memories, fueling our motivation to create this new version for devoted fans and newcomers alike.” Since its debut, Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly has been celebrated for its haunting storytelling, compelling gameplay, and deep emotional resonance, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated community.
Koei Tecmo’s renewed focus on the franchise reflects its continued popularity, as remasters of Maiden of Black Water and Mask of the Lunar Eclipse reached new audiences via modern releases on platforms such as Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Fans can mark their calendars for March 11, 2026, when Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.
With updated visuals, modernized controls, and faithful storytelling, the remake aims to deliver a definitive horror experience for both veterans and new players. Translation assistance for the team’s statements was provided by Simon Griffin, SatsumaFS, and Philip Proctor for Nintendo Everything.
This full remake is the latest development in Koei Tecmo's ongoing commitment to revitalizing the Fatal Frame series, following acclaimed remasters of earlier entries and strong worldwide demand from fans for additional content. Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly, originally released in 2003 for PlayStation 2, is lauded as one of the most iconic entries in the Fatal Frame franchise, renowned for its atmospheric horror and innovative camera-based gameplay mechanics.
The upcoming remake represents the first instance in the series history where a game is being completely reimagined, rather than simply remastered, for modern platforms like the Nintendo Switch 2. Speaking to Japanese gaming publication 4Gamer, key members of the development team shed light on the decision to undertake this ambitious remake.
Makoto Shibata, a director for the series since its inception, alongside action director Hidehiko Nakajima, emphasized the significant fan support and internal passion behind the project. Nakajima reflected on the team's recent efforts: “With Fatal Frame, we previously released remasters of Maiden of Black Water and Mask of the Lunar Eclipse.
These updates were widely praised for enhancing the visuals, but we received frequent feedback from fans globally asking when Crimson Butterfly would get the remake or remaster treatment.
Those voices were a driving force for initiating development.” Shibata added, “Among all the requests for new remasters or entries in the series, the call for a Crimson Butterfly remake was the most consistent.
It truly highlighted the special place this title holds in the hearts of our players.
Within Koei Tecmo, many staff who played the original have fond memories, fueling our motivation to create this new version for devoted fans and newcomers alike.” Since its debut, Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly has been celebrated for its haunting storytelling, compelling gameplay, and deep emotional resonance, earning critical acclaim and a dedicated community.
Koei Tecmo’s renewed focus on the franchise reflects its continued popularity, as remasters of Maiden of Black Water and Mask of the Lunar Eclipse reached new audiences via modern releases on platforms such as Nintendo Switch, PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. Fans can mark their calendars for March 11, 2026, when Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2.
With updated visuals, modernized controls, and faithful storytelling, the remake aims to deliver a definitive horror experience for both veterans and new players. Translation assistance for the team’s statements was provided by Simon Griffin, SatsumaFS, and Philip Proctor for Nintendo Everything.
