Level-5 has been a strong supporter of Nintendo for years. The developer of the Professor Layton, No No Kuni and Yo-Kai Watch series has never shied away from releasing games for Nintendo 3DS. However, Level-5 games have not often been released for Nintendo home consoles.
That’s not to say there are no Level-5 games on Nintendo consoles. Inazuma Eleven has appeared on Wii and Wii U, but only ever in Japan. This is something Level-5’s CEO Akihiro Hino wants to change.
In April this year, the first of the Level-5 Switch games to be released will be The Snack World: Trejarers. Released in Japan for 3DS last year, the port to Switch is being released worldwide.
Level-5 Switch Games
In an interview with Nikkei Trendy (translated by Gematsu) Hino has stated that “Basically, in the future, our main titles will all be released on Nintendo Switch. The idea is that what we have created for 3DS will move over to Switch.”
As mentioned above, The Snack World: Trejarers will be the first of the Level-5 Switch games and Hino is quite pleased with the title. “The Switch version due out in April is quite good, so I would like to make another effort,” he said.
In addition to revealing that Level-5 Switch games will be forthcoming in the future, Hino also announced that Level-5 will be unveiling a brand new property later this year.
I want to properly announce a completely new title for the 20th anniversary. At the moment we may be exhausted because of the release rush from last years push-backs, but since it’s the culmination showing how hard we’ve truly worked these past 20 years, I definitely want to do it
Hino’s pre-announcement of an announcement was in response to questions about Level-5’s 20th anniversary in October this year.
Ni No Kuni on Switch?
Aside from the release of Level-5 Switch games, Hino stated that 2018 is set to be a big year for the developer.
This year, I would like to properly thank everyone who worked with us so far, and further strengthen our relationships with those people. Whether business or creative.
I would like to deepen our bonds with everyone more than ever before.
I would like to make clear our standing as a company in the industry during Level-5 Vision 2018, which will be held in the fall. In 2018, in addition to thanking the various companies that have been involved with us.
This year will likely be a turning point where we will henceforth properly represent those relationships.
While it’s all very vague and pleasant at this stage, it’s clear that Level-5 has some big plans. Releasing Level-5 Switch games, announcing a new IP and revealing the current company standings and vision for the future all add up to a massive year indeed.
Let’s hope the good news keeps coming.
