ARTDINK GAME LOG Revives Tail of the Sun and Aquanaut's Holiday for Nintendo Switch in Japan

Renowned for its pioneering approach to game preservation, developer ARTDINK is set to bring two of Kazutoshi Iida's iconic PlayStation titles, Tail of the Sun and Aquanaut's Holiday, to Nintendo Switch consoles in Japan.

These cult classics—originally published in the mid-1990s on the Sony PlayStation—will form part of ARTDINK's ongoing ARTDINK GAME LOG project: an initiative designed to update and archive the developer's notable works for modern hardware. Tail of the Sun, first released in 1996, is celebrated for its unconventional open-world gameplay, placing players in the role of a prehistoric human tasked with harvesting mammoth tusks to build a tower to the sun.

Equally distinctive, Aquanaut's Holiday (launched in 1995) offers a tranquil, first-person underwater exploration experience that sees players discover oceanic treasures and interact with a variety of marine life.

Both titles, revered in gaming history for their creativity and atmosphere, were initially published in the West by Sony but have since become rare finds for enthusiasts. According to a statement from ARTDINK regarding the preservation initiative, the ARTDINK GAME LOG project is intended, "to port and re-release game titles previously developed by ARTDINK onto modern gaming hardware.

It serves as a record of ARTDINK’s development history, reviving past masterpieces with current technology and platforms.

This enables longtime fans to revisit beloved classics, while new players can uncover these unique experiences for the first time." The Japanese release schedule sees Tail of the Sun launching on Nintendo Switch on December 16, 2025, with Aquanaut's Holiday following in 2026.

No official announcement has been made regarding western releases or Nintendo eShop availability outside Japan, but interest from global fans remains high due to the titles' cult status and historical significance.

Kazutoshi Iida, best known among Nintendo enthusiasts for Doshin the Giant on the 64DD and GameCube, has garnered international acclaim for his experimental approach to game design.

Partnering with ARTDINK once again, his early works are being given renewed life, ensuring their legacy endures for a new generation on the Switch platform. This move cements ARTDINK’s role as a leader in the Japanese gaming industry's preservation efforts, reinforcing the importance of historical game titles in today’s digital era.

As more classic games make their return, both nostalgic players and newcomers can look forward to experiencing the rich tapestry of Japan's gaming past—now more accessible than ever on Nintendo Switch.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo PlayStation Japan Switch GAME Kazutoshi Iida Tail of the Sun ARTDINK Aquanaut's Holiday Sony GameCube ARTDINK GAME LOG