Diable De Laplace Returns: Classic PC-88 Horror RPG Joins EGGCONSOLE on Nintendo Switch eShop

After captivating Japanese RPG enthusiasts for decades, the cult-classic dungeon crawler Diable De Laplace is receiving a new lease on life.

D4 Enterprise has announced that Hummingbird Soft’s atmospheric 1987 horror RPG will join the EGGCONSOLE lineup, arriving on the Nintendo Switch eShop on August 21st at a price of $6.49. Diable De Laplace—originally debuting on NEC's PC-88 and later the PC-98—blends first-person dungeon-crawling mechanics with intense horror themes.

Unlike conventional dungeon crawlers, the game’s labyrinth is a haunted 1920s mansion, inspired by the eerie mythos of H.P.

Lovecraft’s Arkham.

Players assume the role of investigators venturing into Newcam, a fictional port town in Massachusetts, to confront a string of mysterious murders and disappearances around the notorious Weathertop Mansion. At the outset, players can customize a party of unique characters, selecting names, occupations such as detective, journalist, scientist, psychic, or dilettante, and setting character stats like strength, charm, and will.

Armed with these choices, players then explore the ominous mansion, facing off against gothic enemies—including slimes, bats, and skeletons—while unraveling the mansion’s secrets. The game’s official description underscores its challenge: players must navigate a high-difficulty, 3D dungeon environment that once perplexed even seasoned fans.

With turn-based combat featuring both physical and psychological attacks, encountering traps and taking photographs of monsters to sell in town, Diable De Laplace is designed to test the resolve and wit of genre aficionados.

"Become a ghost hunter, braving the perils of a haunted mansion—a 3D RPG experience renowned for its puzzle-solving depth and horror immersion," summarizes its EGGCONSOLE launch announcement. Beyond its PC-88 and PC-98 origins, Diable De Laplace was ported to a range of platforms, including the MSX, Sharp X68000, PC Engine Super CD-ROM², and Super Famicom.

However, all iterations remained exclusive to Japan.

While a fan translation for the Super Famicom version circulated briefly in 2001 before being withdrawn, Aeon Genesis released a more accurate English patch in 2018—offering international fans a rare way to experience the title. The EGGCONSOLE version for Nintendo Switch maintains the game’s original Japanese text, with basic English in the main menu and "how to play" sections.

Prospective players should be aware that deep Japanese language knowledge or a strong willingness to use translation tools will enhance their experience. Diable De Laplace’s Nintendo Switch reissue marks a significant moment for retro RPG preservation and continues D4 Enterprise’s commitment to making pivotal pieces of Japanese game history accessible to today’s audiences.

The return of this challenging, atmospheric classic is sure to delight dedicated retrogaming fans and newcomers eager to discover a lost gem from RPG history.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo eShop PC Switch Switch eShop EGGCONSOLE PC-88 Nintendo Switch eShop Diable De Laplace Hummingbird Soft PC-98 D4 Enterprise Super Famicom MSX Sharp X68000 PC Engine Super CD-ROM²