Tiny Barbarian DX Gets Release Date

Nicalis announced that Tiny Barbarian DX—the retro-inspired sword-and-sorcery extravaganza for Nintendo Switch—will be available on October 10 for the suggested retail price of $29.99. The game will be available as a physical Game Card and digitally via the Nintendo eShop.

A tremendously satisfying platform-jumping/sword-swinging 2-D adventure from developer StarQuail Games, Tiny Barbarian DX is easy to learn and hard to master. “I’m not saying I hate tutorials in video games,” says designer Michael Stearns, “but this game starts out by telling you the functions of two buttons and then sets you on a mountain surrounded by enemies where you will surely die.”

The presentation may be pixel-art perfection, but Tiny Barbarian DX is not afraid to take a few liberties with the retro-gaming aesthetic. You might see the occasional transparency effect or hear more instruments in the soundtrack than you probably remember from your old 16-bit game cartridges…and the super-widescreen aspect ratio is an obvious concession to modern displays. But it’s all done with great taste and supreme reverence for the games that paved the way—some of which are directly referenced in the level designs or gameplay.

The initial print run of physical retail copies of Tiny Barbarian DX will include several free bonuses, including a full-color instruction booklet and a PVC keychain of the Tiny Barbarian in a microfiber pouch branded with the game’s logo. As previously revealed, the game’s box art was created by Susumu Matsushita, the beloved cover artist for hundreds of issues of Famitsu, Japan’s leading video game magazine.

Developed by StarQuail Games and published by Nicalis, Tiny Barbarian DX will be available for Nintendo Switch on October 10, with the complete Steam version to be released soon after. Suggested retail price is $29.99. The game has been rated E10+ by the ESRB.