Square Enix RPG Unexpectedly Delisted From Nintendo Switch eShop

Key Takeaways

  • Triangle Strategy was temporarily delisted from the eShop.
  • Switch users who own it can still download and play it.
  • The delisting may signal a publisher change from Nintendo to Square Enix, similar to what happened with Octopath Traveler in the first half of 2024. Such a move could also be an indicator of new Triangle Strategy ports for PlayStation, Xbox, or both.

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt, I can’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia when I see games like Triangle Strategy getting delisted and re-released. It’s like watching an old friend move houses, but instead of packing boxes, it’s data files and digital rights.

In simple terms, it was announced that Square Enix temporarily removed Triangle Strategy from the Nintendo Switch digital store (eShop) in early December 2024. This sudden action doesn’t affect those who have already purchased the game; they can still play it without any issues.

The strategy role-playing game known as “Triangle Strategy” was jointly developed by Artdink Corporation in Tokyo and Square Enix. It first appeared exclusively for the Nintendo Switch in early March 2022, with a subsequent release for PC in mid-October of the same year. More recently, it has been introduced to virtual reality platforms, launching on Meta Quest 2, 3, and Pro on October 31, 2024.

About a month ago, Square Enix removed the original Switch version of “Triangle Strategy” from the Nintendo eShop. On December 1st, they confirmed this action, referring to it as a temporary measure. If you already own the Switch version of this strategy RPG, don’t worry, you can still download and play it without any issues. Unfortunately, Square Enix hasn’t shared when this fantastic 2022 title will be back on Nintendo’s digital store. As a fan, I’m eagerly waiting for its return!

Triangle Strategy’s eShop Delisting May Signal a Publisher Change

One thing Square Enix failed to clarify is why the game was abruptly taken down from the eShop initially. While the removal itself was unexpected, it’s not uncommon for publishers like Square Enix to take their games off digital platforms for various reasons, not all of which are disclosed publicly. In this situation, the delisting could potentially indicate a change in publishers, a transition that can’t be executed on the eShop without temporarily deleting the game from the Nintendo Switch storefront first.

In March 2024, there was an incident reminiscent of the one in which Octopath Traveler disappeared from the eShop and resurfaced six weeks later, this time under Square Enix’s publication instead of Nintendo’s. Interestingly, the version of Triangle Strategy that was taken down from the Switch store temporarily was also a Nintendo exclusive at the time of its delisting.

New Triangle Strategy Console Ports Might Be on the Horizon

As a gamer, I’ve noticed some intriguing changes on the eShop lately that have me excited about potential new ports coming our way. For example, just six weeks after reappearing on the eShop in April 2024, Octopath Traveler found its way onto PlayStation consoles, now published by Square Enix. If Square Enix’s recent shift towards multi-platform publishing is any indication, it seems likely that we might see more games like Triangle Strategy pop up on platforms other than Nintendo Switch in the near future. In fact, if the delisting and reappearance of Triangle Strategy follows a similar pattern to Octopath Traveler, we could see its return to the eShop by early 2025, with possible releases on PlayStation, Xbox, or both not far behind.

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2024-12-01 19:14