Nintendo is bringing back the classic Famicom era with the release of a new Famicom Detective Club and the availability of Famicom controllers for Switch. Read on to learn more about this resurgence, including details on the game and the controllers.
Famicom Detective Club Tops Charts in Amazon Japan
Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club Leads the Pack
According to reports from Famitsu on Wednesday, Emio - The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club Collector’s Edition for the Nintendo Switch has topped Amazon Japan’s video game preorder rankings for July 14 to 20. The highly anticipated title has generated significant buzz, with other editions of the game also ranking prominently at numbers 7, 8, and 20. This new entry in the Famicom Detective Club series is set to release on August 29, sparking immense interest among fans and newcomers alike.
The second most popular preorder is the Switch version of the Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, with the PS5 version also making a strong showing at number 6. The Dragon Quest 3 remake promises quality-of-life improvements, including three difficulty settings and a performance mode for PS5, and is scheduled for release on November 14.
Coming in third on Amazon’s preorder chart is the first press collector’s edition of Powerful Pro Baseball 2024-2025, particularly the version featuring a slipcase with popular Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani. This game was released on July 18 and has quickly garnered attention.
The Return of Famicom Detective Club
The Smiling Man marks the first new title in Nintendo’s adventure game series in 35 years. Players will step into the roles of two detectives investigating a tragic murder linked to an urban legend about a Smiling Man serial killer. The original Famicom Detective Club series debuted in 1988 with the Japan-exclusive game The Missing Heir. The resurgence of interest in the series is evident with the popularity of the Collector’s Edition for the latest installment.
The long-dormant Famicom Detective Club series received a significant boost in recognition with the 2021 release of Famicom Detective Club: The Two-Case Collection. These remakes revitalized the series, introducing it to new fans both in Japan and overseas. Earlier this month, Nintendo heightened anticipation for The Smiling Man with an intriguing trailer and the hashtag #WhoIsEmio, drawing attention to the upcoming release.
Nintendo Releases Famicom Controllers for Switch in Japan
Expanding Access to Classic Controllers
In other news, Nintendo has announced that the Famicom controllers for the Switch, previously exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online members, are now available for general sale in Japan. This move allows a wider audience to experience the nostalgic feel of the original Famicom controllers.
For those unfamiliar, the Famicom controller is the original gamepad for Nintendo's Family Computer console, first released in Japan in 1983 and later redesigned as the NES for the US market in 1985. Retro game enthusiasts in Japan can now purchase these controllers, while the global market awaits potential availability. The simultaneous release of the NES World Championship, a game ideally played with retro controllers, suggests that Nintendo might eventually offer these classic controllers to a worldwide audience.
Nintendo's strategic release of The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club and the expanded availability of Famicom controllers highlight the company's commitment to blending nostalgic elements with modern gaming experiences, catering to both long-time fans and new players.
Source:
Famitsu Article
Famicom for Switch in Japan
