Dusk Index: Gion Visual Novel Launches on Nintendo Switch January 2025

Dusk Index: Gion, the latest visual novel co-created by Cherrymochi—the acclaimed developer behind Tokyo Dark—has officially secured its spot on the Nintendo Switch.

Publisher Bushiroad announced that the game will launch for Nintendo Switch in Japan on January 29, 2025, with a physical edition accompanying the digital Nintendo eShop version.

Dusk Index: Gion brings together an innovative narrative, dual timelines, and a cast of compelling characters, promising another standout entry for visual novel fans on Nintendo’s flagship console. Developed by Cherrymochi and published by Bushiroad, Dusk Index: Gion sets its stage in two eras of Kyoto, skillfully weaving a murder mystery whose roots run deep across a century.

The storyline juxtaposes modern Kyoto—where detective Daiki Katsuki, a staunch supporter of traditional investigative work, joins hands with the reclusive AR engineer Rio Quinn—with the tumultuous Meiji-era, where detective Masayoshi Nagahama teams up with Saki, the district’s enigmatic top geisha.

Together, these investigative pairs seek to unravel secrets binding past and present, blurring the line between memory and reality. Central to the intrigue is the “Echoes of Kyoto” system, an augmented reality experience painstakingly recreated by Rio Quinn.

Through the use of state-of-the-art contact lenses, users are transported to Kyoto as it stood 100 years ago.

Not only does this feature serve the game’s narrative depth, but it also amplifies the immersive qualities the Nintendo Switch hardware is known for.

As the in-game detectives delve deeper into their investigation, the reconstructed Kyoto becomes both a clue and a character, drawing on nostalgia while hinting at technological advances in immersive storytelling. In a statement relayed by Bushiroad, the publisher described Dusk Index: Gion as a “suspenseful visual novel where past and future collide, challenging players to piece together the truth amid chilling murder mysteries that span generations.” Cherrymochi’s involvement, especially after Tokyo Dark’s success, bolsters expectations for layered storytelling, impactful choices, and memorable character arcs. The cast features notable voice talent, including Yohei Azakami as Daiki Katsuki, Yuuki Temma as Rio Quinn, and Rotaro Okiayu as Masayoshi Nagahama, among others.

Each character has a distinct role in navigating the two timelines; for example, Daiki is marked by empathy and a refusal to embrace modern tech, while Rio relies on digital mastery and her cat-shaped AR assistant Galaxy.

In the Meiji era, Masayoshi embodies the virtues of both samurai and the era's forward-thinking spirit, partnered seamlessly with Saki, whose intelligence and network underlie many story developments. With its scheduled release on January 29, 2025, Dusk Index: Gion joins a growing lineup of third-party visual novels enriching the Nintendo Switch library in Japan.

The title’s launch is highly anticipated by genre enthusiasts and those eager to explore Kyoto’s storied past in an innovative, interactive format.

For further updates on Nintendo Switch releases and Cherrymochi’s work, fans can follow official Nintendo Direct presentations and check the Nintendo eShop. Dusk Index: Gion is shaping up to be a significant addition to the visual novel landscape on Switch, offering a narrative-driven experience where the boundaries between eras and realities become dangerously thin.

Nintendo Switch Nintendo Japan Switch Kyoto Bushiroad developer Dusk Index: Gion Cherrymochi AR Echoes of Kyoto Yohei Azakami Shuta Morishima Yuuki Temma Yuzuki Watase Rotaro Okiayu Yoko Hikasa Hikaru Tono Wataru Urata Haruna Fukushima