"Stardew Valley" fans who also have the Nintendo Switch are in for a surprise, as developer Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone and publisher Chucklefish have just announced the release date for the Switch version of the game, a few days before the actual release.
The indie farming roleplaying game (RPG) will be available for the Switch on Oct. 5 for $14.99. Barone was also happy to bring the game on the hybrid handheld console since he allegedly "grew up on Nintendo." Fans of the "Harvest Moon" franchise, which was a popular Game Boy series, are also in for a treat.
Although many Switch owners have known since 2016 about a possible "Stardew Valley" port for the latest Nintendo handheld, the release date still came in as a surprise for some because it was announced three days before the actual release.
On its release date, the game will be available as a digital version on the Switch eShop. This is the first time that "Stardew Valley" will be getting a portable version, as it has only been offered for PlayStation 4 (PS4), Xbox One and PC since its initial release.
For those unfamiliar with the game, "Stardew Valley," like "Harvest Moon," is essentially a farming simulator where the players' characters inherit their grandfather's old farm plot in a place called Stardew Valley. This was a welcome change of lifestyle from the player character's hectic and toxic office job, as was shown in the game's introduction. The game gives players the tools to begin farming, as well as the freedom to do whatever non-farming activity they want in-game like forming relationships with the townspeople or exploring caves and killing aliens.
"Stardew Valley" remains one of the biggest gaming success stories of 2016. Barone, working alone as the game's developer, has since made over $30 million from the game's individual retail price of $14.99 per copy. Apart from being a commercial success, the game was also well received with over 97 percent positive overall Steam reviews.
"Stardew Valley" for Nintendo Switch will be released on the aforementioned date of Oct. 5 on the eShop for $14.99. Players can also try other versions of the game on PS4, Xbox One, and PC for the same price.
