PlatinumGames’ Bayonetta 3 has been a hot topic recently and for good reason – it finally received its first gameplay trailer, showcasing redesigned Bayonetta and new mechanics like Demon Slave. A release for 2022 has also been confirmed and founder/senior VP Hideki Kamiya has promised that it will “exceed all expectations.”
Though Kamiya clarified previously that the title is exclusive to the Nintendo Switch – since it’s being funded by Nintendo – he reiterated this fact in two recent tweets (translation by Nintendo Everything). “Just like with Bayonetta 2, we’re developing Bayonetta 3 with funding from Nintendo. We are only involved in development. All decisions about the final product are up to Nintendo. So feel free to send your requests of ‘release the game on other consoles’ to Nintendo. If Nintendo asks us to port the game to PS5, we might do that.
“I mean, I guess the likelihood of Bayonetta 2 and 3 coming to PS5 and Xbox isn’t impossible – it’s Nintendo’s decision. By that same logic, it’s not impossible that games like Mario and Zelda could be show up on PS5 or whatever. So good luck sending passionate pleas to Nintendo and trying to get that to happen…” He then ended by stating, “If I were you, I’d simply buy a Switch.”
Long story short, Bayonetta 3 is exclusive to the Switch and the possibility of it showing up for other platforms is all up to Nintendo. Given how many Nintendo properties have released for rival platforms over the years, it’s very unlikely that the publisher will relent.
Regardless, Bayonetta 3 is still looking very good. It’s being directed by Yusuke Miyata who worked on Scalebound as its lead designer. To that effect, the new Demon Slave mechanic appears to be based on the method of controlling dragons from Platinum’s cancelled project. We’ll see for ourselves how it shapes up in the coming months so stay tuned.