Fountains developer John Pywell has issued a free Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade on the eShop that brings 120fps support and an exclusive Gauntlet Mode to the indie soulslike.
The pixel-art, top-down action-RPG began life in 2020 and was backed via a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2022; it first launched on Steam in December 2024.
The new Switch 2 upgrade, released on the eShop for owners of the game, introduces a high-framerate option aimed at players who prioritize smooth performance on Nintendo's next-generation handheld hardware.
In addition to the 120fps toggle, the Switch 2 Edition includes an exclusive Gauntlet Mode, a time-limited challenge suite designed as a compact, repeatable test of combat skills and endurance.
Pricing and reception
The Switch 2 release is listed at $14.99 / £13.49 on the eShop and shipped with a 10% launch discount for the first couple of weeks.
On Steam, Fountains maintains a 'Very Positive' rating from 432 reviews, reflecting favorable community reception since the December 2024 debut.
Developer background and design influences
Fountains is the product of Canada-based solo developer John Pywell.
The game mixes a top-down pixel-art aesthetic often compared to Hyper Light Drifter with core design elements familiar to soulslike and Metroidvania players.
The large, interconnected overworld, demanding combat, and a message system for player interaction echo design patterns associated with FromSoftware titles such as Dark Souls.
Pywell has been open about specific mechanical inspirations.
He told Xbox Wire that the game's central resource-recovery mechanic — restoring a magic resource by landing hits on enemies — was intentionally modeled on the same interaction found in Hollow Knight, a design choice made to reinforce aggressive, timing-based combat.
Gameplay features
Fountains advertises tight, responsive combat that punishes hesitation and rewards precision, adjustable difficulty settings, and an interconnected, exploration-focused world where players unlock powers and shortcuts.
The online message system lets players leave hints or misdirection for others traversing the labyrinthine map.
With the Switch 2 upgrade now on the eShop, Fountains joins a growing list of indie titles optimized for higher-frame-rate performance on Nintendo's newer hardware.
For players tracking soulslike releases and Switch 2 native enhancements, this update is a notable example of a small studio leveraging platform upgrades to add both technical and mode-based content.
The pixel-art, top-down action-RPG began life in 2020 and was backed via a successful Kickstarter campaign in 2022; it first launched on Steam in December 2024.
The new Switch 2 upgrade, released on the eShop for owners of the game, introduces a high-framerate option aimed at players who prioritize smooth performance on Nintendo's next-generation handheld hardware.
In addition to the 120fps toggle, the Switch 2 Edition includes an exclusive Gauntlet Mode, a time-limited challenge suite designed as a compact, repeatable test of combat skills and endurance.
Pricing and reception
The Switch 2 release is listed at $14.99 / £13.49 on the eShop and shipped with a 10% launch discount for the first couple of weeks.
On Steam, Fountains maintains a 'Very Positive' rating from 432 reviews, reflecting favorable community reception since the December 2024 debut.
Developer background and design influences
Fountains is the product of Canada-based solo developer John Pywell.
The game mixes a top-down pixel-art aesthetic often compared to Hyper Light Drifter with core design elements familiar to soulslike and Metroidvania players.
The large, interconnected overworld, demanding combat, and a message system for player interaction echo design patterns associated with FromSoftware titles such as Dark Souls.
Pywell has been open about specific mechanical inspirations.
He told Xbox Wire that the game's central resource-recovery mechanic — restoring a magic resource by landing hits on enemies — was intentionally modeled on the same interaction found in Hollow Knight, a design choice made to reinforce aggressive, timing-based combat.
Gameplay features
Fountains advertises tight, responsive combat that punishes hesitation and rewards precision, adjustable difficulty settings, and an interconnected, exploration-focused world where players unlock powers and shortcuts.
The online message system lets players leave hints or misdirection for others traversing the labyrinthine map.
With the Switch 2 upgrade now on the eShop, Fountains joins a growing list of indie titles optimized for higher-frame-rate performance on Nintendo's newer hardware.
For players tracking soulslike releases and Switch 2 native enhancements, this update is a notable example of a small studio leveraging platform upgrades to add both technical and mode-based content.
