Two of the most critically acclaimed 2D platforming titles of this generation are Moon Studios' Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, with the latter still ranked as one of the highest rated games of 2020 so far. While many still consider the Ori games Xbox's greatest games of this console generation, the reality is that the title has also found success on other platforms besides the Xbox One and PC, namely Nintendo Switch, where both titles have become best-sellers. Now, Moon Studios' metroidvania inspired games are getting physical editions for Nintendo Switch later this year.
Ori and the Blind Forest, which first released on Xbox One in 2015, was a critical hit, winning multiple awards for its art direction and soundtrack including the Best Art Direction category at The Game Awards 2015. Moon Studios quickly followed the game up with an expanded re-release in the form of Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition in 2016, which added new areas and difficulty modes and came as a free upgrade to owners of the original game. This version later ended up coming to Nintendo Switch in September 2019 as part of a partnership between Nintendo and Microsoft following the release of Studio MDHR's Cuphead on the platform in April of last year.
Earlier this month, almost exactly a year from when Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition reached Nintendo Switch, Moon Studios stealth released the game's follow-up, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, on the Nintendo eShop alongside collector's editions featuring both games from distributor Iam8bit. While these editions are currently sold out, both Xbox Games Studios and Iam8bit are teaming up with Skybound Games to release full retail versions of both Ori games on Nintendo Switch. Both games will retail for $39.99 and release on December 8th, 2020.
These physical editions of Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition and Ori and the Will of the Wisps will come packaged with six collectable art cards and digital downloads of the game's award winning soundtracks from Gareth Coker, one of the composers behind the upcoming Halo Infinite OST. Iam8bit has also announced that it intends to release three Ori collector's editions for Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC, which are planned to retail for $149.99 on December 8th.
Co-owners of Iam8bit Amanda White and Job Gibson commented on their partnership with the developer and publisher, stating “We’re thrilled to be able to partner with Moon Studios and Xbox Game Studios to bring fans even more premium content for such a beloved series. Both Ori and The Blind Forest and Ori and The Will of the Wisps are both known as emotionally charged games, and we couldn’t be happier to commemorate their most memorable moments through these special physical edition releases.”
Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition and Ori and the Will of the Wisps will release physically on Nintendo Switch on December 8th 2020.