Visual Novel News:
Shiravune have announced the upcoming international release of Fuyukuru. – Winter winds, adieu? – (Fuyukara, Kururu.) by Silky’s Plus. It features a scenario by Watanabe Ryouichi, who has worked on titles including Harukuru. – Spring has come true? – and Aokana – Four Rhythms Across the Blue, along with it’s highly praised Misaki fandisc.
An isolated live-in institution… With no contact with the outside world… Home to a population of girls who never die. Whenever they grow up, they start aging back down until they are babies again, then grow once more in a neverending cycle. There’s only one way to graduate. One must be recognized as a genius by some observing entity on the outside. The moment such an acknowledgement takes place, the girl in question graduates and disappears from the institute. And so, a sudden murder is enough to turn their immortal lives upside down. Why do the girls never die? Why do they grow older, then younger in reverse? How long have they spent within these walls? How can they be brought back from decapitation? What happens to the girls who fail to prove their genius? What has become of the world outside? Why is there no one but girls in the institute? Where are the men? What is death? What is life? Humanity? For what purpose were we born? No key to this mystery—but there is a needle. Wool needle, knitting needle, sewing machine needle. Silk needle, stitching needle, injection needle. Futon needle, clothing needle, hook for a fish. Marking pin, headpin, indicator pin, leatherwork needle. Follow the needles to your immortal death.
In other Shiravune news, they’ve updated us on a number of titles:
- Utawarerumono: ZAN 2, the hack and slash game based on the visual novel Utawarerumono: Mask of Truth, will be released on February 25, 2026.
- Wayblazer Dämmerung (Hyakusen no Jou ni Kawatareshi Toki) by Eushully will be released on Steam on February 19th, 2026. While not initially announced, it was confirmed in the Shiravune Discord that an R18 patch will be made available. (Note: This is marketed as a JRPG, but often considered a visual novel).
- Bunny’s Rent-a-Mom Agency (Bunny’s Mama Daikou Service) by Atelier Kaguya will be released on Steam on February 26th, 2026.
- LOVEJUICED! -Hi Neighbor, meet Gamer.- (Tonari no LOVE JUICE) will be released on Steam on February 26, 2026.
- A new update for the visual novel themed fighting game, AQUAPAZZA: Aquaplus Dream Match, is now available, bringing offline mode, improved key customization, and a number of other highly requested fixes.
- Study § Steady by Marmalade is Coming to Steam, following its 2021 International debut on Other Platforms
More Visual Novel News
- Kaguya Games Announced Summer☆Dash: Our Track Team’s Summer Training Trip by Soft Circle Courreges
- Cat President: 3rd-Rate Candidate Announced
Gaming News:
In typical Nintendo fashion, they announced a new Nintendo Direct presentation a day before it went live. This time, it was all about third party titles coming to their systems. Here’s the rundown of the highlights:
Square-Enix are putting out a new PARANORMASIGHT title all revolving around a strange remote island called Kameshima. PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid’s Curse sees a pearl diver named Yuza Minakuchi after a bizarre encounter with another version of himself leads to curses manifesting across the island. Follow the perspective of multiple characters as you explore 360 degree environments and even a diving mechanic as you uncover the mystery around this island.
PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid’s Curse launches for Nintendo Switch, PC, iOS, and Android on February 19th.
Watch the announcement trailer for PARANORMASIGHT: The Mermaid’s Curse
A sequel to the console game based on Captain Tsubasa has been announced. Captain Tsubasa II: World Fighters lets you play as over 110 characters, including some teams from the manga and new original characters. The sequel will also be bringing back super moves the dramatically change the pace and tone of this soccer-based sports title.
Captain Tsubasa II: World Fighters is coming to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch, and PC in 2026.
Watch the announcement trailer for Captain Tsubasa II: World Fighters
Described as a multi-genre game, Binary Haze Interactive and Adglobe announced a new action game set under the streets of Tokyo. Tokyo Scramble sees you in the perspective of Anne; a student who finds herself in a train accident only to awaken underground with terrifying creatures called Zinos roaming around. Combat isn’t an option in this game, as you’ll need to sneak around and use your environment strategically to survive. Using the Nintendo Switch 2’s game share feature, you can play this game with up to four players as you each control an aspect of the game to aid in Anne’s survival.
Tokyo Scramble releases exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on February 11th.
Watch the announcement trailer for Tokyo Scramble
An enhanced version of Hollow Knight was announced and released. This new release for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch 2 includes new improvements brought over from Hollow Knight: Silksong and if you own the original version of the game, you’ll be able upgrade it for free.
Watch the trailer for Hollow Knight: Nintendo Switch 2 Edition
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales now has a full release date. From the team that brought you Bravely Default and Octopath Traveler, travel across the Kingdom of Huther not only across the land, but also across many years of history as you travel through time and discover new secrets. This action RPG lets you wield seven different weapons, as well as using unique abilities from your fairy companion to aid you on your travels.
The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales launches for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC on June 18th.
Watch the trailer for The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales
A classic console game based on a mascot all about bombs is getting a massive collection. Super Bomberman Collection brings together the five Super Bomberman titles, which include two games that were never localized in English. The package will also include the Japanese versions of Bomberman and Bomberman II.
Super Bomberman Collection is now available digitally for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC.
Physical editions of the game for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo Switch will be available on August 25th.
Watch the announcement trailer for Super Bomberman Collection
The second instalment in the Final Fantasy VII Remake series is coming to Nintendo and Microsoft’s platforms this year. Originally released back in 2024 for PlayStation 5, then 2025 for PC, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth is the follow up to the original remake that has Cloud and his newly formed party explore the world outside of Midgar. This new release will include a streamlined progression mode which greatly boosts your stats for players who just want to enjoy the story.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth releases for Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch 2 on June 3rd.
Watch the trailer for Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Nihon Falcom announced an all-new action RPG all set in an alternate world where Kyoto is the capital of Japan. Kyoto Xanadu sees you playing as a student who is regularly sent to a dimensional labyrinth known as Xanadu to battle in a mix of 2D and 3D combat. As you strengthen your bonds at school and boost your stats, you’ll strengthen yourself for future explorations in Xanadu as you aim to conquer the threats within it.
Kyoto Xanadu launches for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC this Summer.
Watch the announcement trailer for Kyoto Xanadu
An enhanced version of Granblue Fantasy: Relink was announced by Cygames. Titled Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok, this expansion will include a new story, more characters to play as, a new summoning mechanic, and cross-play across every system the game is available on. If you already own Granblue Fantasy: Relink, you’ll be able to get this expansion through a paid upgrade that lets you transfer your save file to the new version.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok will be available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC on July 9th.
Watch the announcement trailer for Granblue Fantasy: Relink – Endless Ragnarok
To close out the Nintendo Direct, Bethesda ended it by announcing three of their titles are coming to Nintendo Switch 2. Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are all coming to the platform this year.
Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition for Nintendo Switch 2 releases on February 24th.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle for Nintendo Switch 2 launches on May 12th.
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered for Nintendo Switch 2 will release in 2026.
Watch the Bethesda x Nintendo Switch 2 games trailer
After a lengthy delay, the 4.0 update for Hoyoverse’s Honkai Star Rail is almost upon us. After the events on Amphoreus, the Trailblazers now land on the planet Planarcadia; the playground for the Aeon, Aha. This new major update will include a new playable character type called Elation and will introduce a new character named Yao Guang and a new version of Sparkle that’s called Sparxie. When the update launches, you’ll also be able to pick a free five-star character of your choice from a selection of seven options.
The 4.0 update for Honkai Star Rail will release on February 13th.
Watch the 4.0 trailer for Honkai Star Rail
Upcoming News:
Mario and friends are returning to the tennis court this week in Mario Tennis Fever. This new title introduces over 30 Fever Rackets that each provide a unique ability to give your shots an extra flair and potentially win you the point. Alongside traditional versus games, a single-player adventure mode where you play the baby versions of the characters as you learn the game’s mechanics is also included.
Mario Tennis Fever launches exclusively for Nintendo Switch 2 on February 12th.
A new version of SEGA’s Yakuza 3 is releasing this week and it comes with extras not seen in the original release. Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Tides includes a remade version of the original game as you continue the story of Kazuma Kiryu. This new release also includes a new story called Dark Tides that puts you in the perspective of Yoshitaka Mine that is a separate game included with Yakuza Kiwami 3.
Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Tides will be available for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC on February 12th.
An anime/gaming aficionado, experienced content creator and lovable goofball. Name a game genre and Seamus has likely played it… yes, even that one. Follow him @TrueStorySeamus
