Alliance Arts and Shanghai Alice Reprise have confirmed that Touhou Koumakyou: New Classic – The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil, a remastered edition of the 2002 bullet hell classic, will launch for both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 on September 9, 2026.
Led by original Touhou creator ZUN, the project updates the seminal title with modern presentation while preserving the franchise’s signature gameplay systems.
Background and developer involvement
Touhou Koumakyou originally debuted in 2002 and helped establish the Touhou Project as a cornerstone of independent bullet hell design.
This remaster, developed by Alliance Arts in collaboration with Shanghai Alice Reprise and overseen by ZUN, aims to bring the Scarlet Devil storyline to contemporary hardware with several quality-of-life and audiovisual enhancements.
Key features and editions
The New Classic remaster promises enhanced high-resolution graphics and rearranged music tracks, with the soundtrack arrangements composed by ZUN himself.
Players can choose a more accessible experience thanks to an unlimited-lives option, or engage the classic gameplay mode that keeps original systems intact for an authentic playthrough.
Localization and soundtrack details
Touhou Koumakyou: New Classic will include support for 11 languages at launch: English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, and Italian.
A Deluxe Edition will be available and includes a soundtrack featuring more than 30 tracks, combining the original 2002 compositions with the new arrangements.
Narrative and gameplay
The remaster follows shrine maiden Reimu Hakurei and magician Marisa Kirisame as they investigate a sudden scarlet mist engulfing Gensokyo.
Players will face fairies, yokai and vampires, deploy bombs and Spell Cards, and navigate complex enemy projectile patterns emanating from the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
Statement from the team
Junya of Shanghai Alice Reprise said the remaster is intended to reach newer players who missed the original release.
In journalistic terms, Junya emphasized that a generation or two of players have not experienced the Touhou classics, and this release will retell a beloved tale to new audiences around the world.
Availability
Touhou Koumakyou: New Classic – The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil is scheduled for release on September 9, 2026 for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.
A trailer accompanying the announcement provides an early look at the updated visuals and music arrangements.
This remaster represents a coordinated effort by Alliance Arts, Shanghai Alice Reprise and ZUN to modernize a landmark indie shoot ’em up while maintaining the core systems that define the Touhou Project.
Led by original Touhou creator ZUN, the project updates the seminal title with modern presentation while preserving the franchise’s signature gameplay systems.
Background and developer involvement
Touhou Koumakyou originally debuted in 2002 and helped establish the Touhou Project as a cornerstone of independent bullet hell design.
This remaster, developed by Alliance Arts in collaboration with Shanghai Alice Reprise and overseen by ZUN, aims to bring the Scarlet Devil storyline to contemporary hardware with several quality-of-life and audiovisual enhancements.
Key features and editions
The New Classic remaster promises enhanced high-resolution graphics and rearranged music tracks, with the soundtrack arrangements composed by ZUN himself.
Players can choose a more accessible experience thanks to an unlimited-lives option, or engage the classic gameplay mode that keeps original systems intact for an authentic playthrough.
Localization and soundtrack details
Touhou Koumakyou: New Classic will include support for 11 languages at launch: English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, French, German, Spanish, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, and Italian.
A Deluxe Edition will be available and includes a soundtrack featuring more than 30 tracks, combining the original 2002 compositions with the new arrangements.
Narrative and gameplay
The remaster follows shrine maiden Reimu Hakurei and magician Marisa Kirisame as they investigate a sudden scarlet mist engulfing Gensokyo.
Players will face fairies, yokai and vampires, deploy bombs and Spell Cards, and navigate complex enemy projectile patterns emanating from the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
Statement from the team
Junya of Shanghai Alice Reprise said the remaster is intended to reach newer players who missed the original release.
In journalistic terms, Junya emphasized that a generation or two of players have not experienced the Touhou classics, and this release will retell a beloved tale to new audiences around the world.
Availability
Touhou Koumakyou: New Classic – The Embodiment of Scarlet Devil is scheduled for release on September 9, 2026 for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.
A trailer accompanying the announcement provides an early look at the updated visuals and music arrangements.
This remaster represents a coordinated effort by Alliance Arts, Shanghai Alice Reprise and ZUN to modernize a landmark indie shoot ’em up while maintaining the core systems that define the Touhou Project.