Stray Switch 2 physical edition arrives in Japan on Nov. 12, Happinet said, with each boxed copy published under the companys Happinet Indie Collection label and carrying exclusive packaging and bonuses for the Japanese market.
Stray Switch 2 physical edition: double sided cover and robot alphabet card
Each Japanese boxed edition includes a Companions Alphabet Card printed with the in game script used by the citys robot inhabitants, and a double sided cover illustrated by poster artist Matt Taylor, Happinet said. Select retailers in Japan will offer a limited number of store specific extras, the publisher added.
Graphics and performance: up to 4K TV output, 30 fps cap
The Stray Switch 2 port supports up to 4K output when played on a TV, and up to 1080p in handheld mode, with a frame rate capped at 30 fps, according to the product listing and developer notes. Compared with the original Switch release, distant objects and lighting in alleyways appear clearer.
Players control a stray cat that climbs pipes and roofs while trying to find a way out of a city populated by robots. The companion drone B-12 helps translate text and operate devices, and some sections require avoiding swarms of hostile creatures called Zurk, BlueTwelve Studio and publisher Annapurna Interactive noted.
Stray Switch 2 first arrived on PlayStation and Windows in 2022. The game won two awards at The Game Awards that year, for best indie game and best debut indie title, industry records show.
Game Key Card download required, old saves do not transfer
The Japanese boxed edition uses a Game Key Card system, Happinet said, requiring an online download on first play. The listing advises consoles or a microSD Express card have at least 9 GB of free space for the download; after downloading the game can be played offline though the key card must remain inserted for startup.
By contrast, the Hong Kong Nintendo eShop digital listing shows the Switch 2 digital version requires 8 GB of free space. Both the boxed Japanese edition and the digital version support Traditional Chinese, the publisher said.
Players who bought the original Switch digital edition can download the Switch 2 version for free, except for copies purchased through the Japanese eShop and the original physical releases, Happinet noted. Save files are stored separately for each generation, so progress from the first Switch version does not carry over to the Stray Switch 2 edition.
