An interesting development has been spotted in Nintendo's recent financial results. Eagle-eyed fans have noticed an English box art for the Famicom Detective Club remakes in an infographic showcasing Nintendo's software lineup.
The box art in question is for "Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir & Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind," which was released digitally on the Nintendo Switch eShop in 2021. What makes this discovery noteworthy is that these remakes only received physical releases in Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong previously.
Key points about this discovery:
1. The English box art appears to include an ESRB rating, suggesting a potential Western physical release.
2. This image was part of Nintendo's quarterly financial report, which typically showcases their official lineup.
3. The presence of this box art is particularly intriguing because other games shown in the infographic all have physical releases, including titles like Tetris 99.
4. The original Famicom Detective Club remakes were released digitally in the West in May 2021, priced at £49.99 / $59.99.
5. A new entry in the series, "Famicom Detective Club: Emio - The Smiling Man," was released in August 2024 and did receive a physical release in the West.
While this discovery has excited fans, it's important to note that Nintendo has not made any official announcement regarding a physical release for these remakes in Western markets. The appearance of this box art could indicate plans for a future physical release, but it could also be an error or placeholder in the infographic.
For fans of the series, this potential physical release would be welcome news, especially for those who prefer owning hard copies of their games or missed out on the digital release. However, until Nintendo makes an official statement, this remains speculative.
