Psyvariar 3 Release Date Announced: Launching March 2026 on Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC

Success Corporation, Red Art Games, and Banana Bytes have officially announced that Psyvariar 3, the latest entry in the renowned arcade shoot 'em up franchise, will launch globally on March 19, 2026.

The game will be available across multiple platforms, including Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam.

In Europe, PlayStation 5 players will be able to choose between a standard edition and a deluxe edition from Red Art Games, both priced at €29.99, with the deluxe version featuring an exclusive cover and a collectible magnet. While physical editions for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 in Europe have not been detailed at this time, earlier statements from September 2025 suggested plans for multiple physical versions across these platforms.

For Japanese audiences, however, Success Corporation confirms that physical editions will be released for PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2.

The standard edition for Nintendo Switch is set at 5,280 yen (approximately 4,800 yen plus tax), and a limited edition—including a soundtrack CD and collectible pins—will be available for 10,780 yen.

PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 editions are priced slightly higher, with standard and limited editions at 6,380 yen and 11,880 yen respectively, reflecting the inclusion of bonus collectibles. As the first new mainline entry since Psyvariar 2 launched in 2003, Psyvariar 3 carries the legacy of its predecessors, which debuted in arcades in 2000 and later expanded to platforms like Dreamcast, Xbox, and PlayStation 2.

Developed collaboratively by Banana Bytes and Red Art Studios, Psyvariar 3 promises an evolution of the series' hallmark 'buzz mechanic'—a gameplay feature encouraging players to closely graze enemy bullets to rack up scores and unlock new abilities. The story of Psyvariar 3 unfolds years after the events of Psyvariar 2.

In the aftermath of the downfall of the AI antagonist ETA, surviving Psyvariars reclaim and revive Earth.

Decades of prosperity are shattered when a mysterious alien signal, connected to the formidable Gluon threat from the original entry, signals a renewed invasion.

Players will guide a new generation of psychic-powered pilots in the fight to defend the planet once again. Key features confirmed for Psyvariar 3 include: - Seven unique playable characters, each with distinct shot types and specialized mechanics. - Inclusion of guest character Cotton from the beloved Cotton series, featuring her own ship and abilities. - An enhanced Buzz System rewarding high-risk gameplay with shield chains and score multipliers. - Updated signature Roll Mechanic for modern controllers, while retaining classic arcade inputs for skilled players. - Neutrino & Shield System empowering dynamic defense and attack upgrades. - Varied bomb mechanics offering short and long-range strategic options. - Multiple game modes like Arcade, Arrange, Mission (with 49 challenges), Caravan, Endless, and Practice. - Dynamic Difficulty Selection adjusting challenge and boss encounters based on player performance. - Seven diverse stages and bosses with complex attack patterns. - Neo retro-inspired 3D visuals paying homage to the early series aesthetics. A playable demo of Psyvariar 3 has been showcased at Tokyo Game Show 2025, allowing fans and industry attendees an early hands-on look at these new innovations.

With its confirmed worldwide release date and a range of game modes and physical editions, Psyvariar 3 is positioned to revitalize the classic shoot 'em up genre for both returning fans and new players on Nintendo Switch, Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC in 2026.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 PS5 PC Xbox Series X Xbox Switch Xbox Series X|S Xbox Series X S developer Xbox X|S Psyvariar 3 Success Corporation Red Art Games Banana Bytes Steam Cotton Cotton series Tokyo Game Show