Castle of Shikigami 3 confirmed for Switch ("End of April 2026" in JP)

[Hero of Legend]

https://shikigami3.cosmomachia.co.jp/en/

Well well, I just took a peek at the website, and there it is, just stealth announced for Switch! It was a possibility when they did the crowdfund awhile back for the Steam release, but it didn't make it to the Switch goal, but as you may know, they've often added the Switch or Steam release (whichever is second) to a project even if that goal failed in their prior crowdfunds, like Triggerheart Excelica.

Hopefully Red Art Games again does a physical release in the west like with Castle of Shikigami 2 and Triggerheart Excelica on Switch.

And hopefully the original Castle of Shikigami can also finally make it to Switch, and we could actually maybe get a really cool trilogy physical pack (all three should EASILY fit a 8/16GB cart). Here's hoping.

[hamfighterx]

Oh! That's exciting news, good eye!

Really would be nice to get Shikigami 1 too.

[kaivatony]

Totally agree — it’s great to see this finally happening for Switch! The crowdfunding history with AlfaSystem really makes these surprise ports feel like bonuses. A trilogy physical pack would be amazing, especially for collectors. Hopefully they stick with the same localization quality as Shiki 2. Fingers crossed we get that full trilogy treatment someday.

[xEbb1993x]

Good, this is my favorite of the trilogy.

[Jonpachi]

I made a joke in the Triggerheart thread that their double-dipping on versions of that game would all be worth it if it helped fund a new console port of Shiki III. I was laughed at, asked if I get out much, told it's already on Steam... oh ho ho ho. Here we are now, and I clutch my two vaguegly distinct copies of Triggerheart with pride, knowing I did my part (insert Starship Trooper gif).

[xEbb1993x]

The reasons why I like this out of the three is because I like the artwork compared to the others, plus not only does Kohtaro Kuga look cooler in this game (his look in the third game reminds me of Kyo Kusanagi from The King of Fighters and Takashi Komuro from Highschool of the Dead) but he's also much kinder. And then there's Reika Kirishima.

[R79]

A trilogy pack would be nice indeed... I'm not seeing any listings on eBay for part III yet, beyond the 360 and Wii versions.

[Jonpachi]

A trilogy pack would be nice indeed... I'm not seeing any listings on eBay for part III yet, beyond the 360 and Wii versions.

It's not out yet.

[xEbb1993x]

Speaking of which... Any difference between the Xbox 360 and Wii versions?

[cj iwakura]

Speaking of which... Any difference between the Xbox 360 and Wii versions?

The Wii version was published in the US by Aksys Games, also known for publishing the later Guilty Gear and BlazBlue games in the US. They had planned to release the Xbox 360 version here as well, but were reportedly turned down by Microsoft. There's no real difference, outside of the HD visuals in the 360 versions, but it hardly matters since the game's not exactly a looker to begin with.

Personally, the only real differences are in localization, though I think I'm historically the only one in the camp worried about that...

[xEbb1993x]

I think I'm historically the only one in the camp worried about that...

What's that supposed to mean?

[cj iwakura]

I think I'm historically the only one in the camp worried about that...

What's that supposed to mean?

I mean I'm usually the one hyper-fixated on the localization choices, not the gameplay itself.

[NeoStrayCat]

Basically what Iwakura is saying...The English script in the current gen port is not that good compared to the better worked script in the English Wii version.

Also, a few things are missing from the current gen port than on the previous console ports (Wii/X360). As the CG port is "based" on the Arcade version (Munchausen is a hidden character below Fumiko, which also means you can't select them both in co-op games), it doesn't have the gallery (Art Gallery/Story Recollection/Jukebox) and Boss Attack mode. Dramatic Change mode will be added in an update to the CG port...eventually.

[xEbb1993x]

So Wii version is still better?

[cj iwakura]

So Wii version is still better?

Absolutely. The dub and script are both absolutely stellar, and there's the gallery too, though I don't think the art is as nice as Shiki 2's.

That said, this is still a solid port, especially if you want a modern version.

[xEbb1993x]

Okay. But I still think the artwork in this game is better.

[cj iwakura]

To each their own, but I think 3 went for a more, for lack of a better word, anime look, while I think 2's was a little more subdued.

[Jonpachi]

[Gojiguy]

I'm no CoS expert, but... how accurate is the Wii Version? I've still got that one so I don't know if I need to pick up III again on Switch... but having a portable version would be nice.

[cj iwakura]

I'm no CoS expert, but... how accurate is the Wii Version? I've still got that one so I don't know if I need to pick up III again on Switch... but having a portable version would be nice.

It's fine, as I recall, but definitely not HD like the new version, so there's that.

[AGermanArtist]

Looks great in Dolphin at 1080p with 2x MSAA.

[xEbb1993x]

I still find it hard to believe that the Yukari Horiguchi you fight at the end of the first stage is the same one from the second, they don't look the same.

[NeoStrayCat]

I still find it hard to believe that the Yukari Horiguchi you fight at the end of the first stage is the same one from the second, they don't look the same.

Yeah, IKR? Like, you have Yukari wearing a regal (probably European) dress and she's a blond in the second. But in the third, she's weaing an asian dress, and she has black/purple-ish hair and sporting twin-tails.

Also, we got a date confirmation for the Switch port. -> https://www.gematsu.com/2025/09/castle- ... 6-in-japan

Good luck waiting around late April next year.

[Klatrymadon]

Glad this hasn't suddenly become a Switch 2 release — I've only just got the first.

[xEbb1993x]

I still find it hard to believe that the Yukari Horiguchi you fight at the end of the first stage is the same one from the second, they don't look the same.

Yeah, IKR? Like, you have Yukari wearing a regal (probably European) dress and she's a blond in the second. But in the third, she's weaing an asian dress, and she has black/purple-ish hair and sporting twin-tails.

Also, we got a date confirmation for the Switch port. -> https://www.gematsu.com/2025/09/castle- ... 6-in-japan

Good luck waiting around late April next year.

She even sounds different too. Like younger.

[Starfighter]

Haha, I didn't even know there was a part 3. When I saw this thread I went "Oh, Castle Shikigami 2 is getting a sequal? Now?". I only have the second one and I remember I found it to have a sort of cheap and uninspired look to it so I very quickly stopped playing it. But that was over 20 years ago, my taste might have changed!

[Hero of Legend]

Good news everyone, we have a trailer AND a JP release month!

https://shikigami3.cosmomachia.co.jp/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK96jI2sdOI

End of April 2026 it seems to say specifically, AND it'll as some might've predicted, be featured at Konami's TGS booth this year as CM seem to have something every year there:

https://www.konami.com/games/event/tgs/ ... #shikigami

Apparently there's Switch-exclusive content but I don't know what.

[NeoStrayCat]

Anyways...there's nothing much to really write home about for Switch specific stuff (other than playing 2 players with the 2 joy cons separately), cause it'll be the same as the PC/Steam version. The Switch version will include Dramatic Change mode, which is currently still missing in the PC/Steam port. Chances are, that version will get updated with that mode included sometime before or after the Switch release.

And hopefully a overseas physical/digital release too. I mean, Shiki 2 is on there though overseas in both formats.