Considered by many to be a cult classic and a “hidden gem” of the early age of RPGs, the 1994 Square role-playing gameLive A Livehas, until now, never seen release outside of Japan. It initially launched for the Super Famicom on June 14, 2025, and has never seen a remake, although it did make its way to the Wii U in Japan. However, during a Nintendo Direct livestream on June 15, 2025, Nintendo surprised fans by announcing the release of a Nintendo Switch remaster ofLive A Live,debuting for the first time in both Japanese and English.
Live A Liveis split into multiple scenarios taking place across different time periods including prehistory, the Wild West, feudal Japan, and the future. Each scenario features a different protagonist with a unique playstyle, although combat remained primarily turn-based throughout each segment. Characters range from a young caveman to a martial arts master training his pupils to a mysterious gunslinger.
RELATED:Wii Sports is Back as Nintendo Switch Sports
After the first seven chapters are completed, an eighth chapter unlocks tying the narrative together. Although the game was praised for its unique approach to storytelling and its wide variety of playable characters, it unfortunately sold only 270,000 units in its year of release and was considered a failure. The game’s low sales were attributed to heavy competition from other 1994 releases such asFinal Fantasy 6andFire Emblem: Mystery of the Emblem.
The game’s director, Takashi Tokita, hasdiscussed his interest in aLive A Livere-releasesince 2020, although he revealed that it would require a significant amount of fan support for Nintendo and Square Enix to consider it due to the game’s original low sales numbers and relative obscurity. Presumably, this fan support was obtained, as the remaster has been given an official release date of June 05, 2025. The remake will receive a graphical update in the HD-2D style popularized by titles such asOctopath Traveler.
Other announcements made during the February 9th Nintendo Direct include updates on upcoming titlesSplatoon 3andKirby and the Forgotten Landand the reveal of new titles in popular series such asFire Emblem Warriors: Three HopesandXenoblade Chronicles 3.Other classic titles were also revealed to be coming to the Nintendo Switch in 2022 including aKlonoacollection, a bundle ofEarthboundandEarthbound: Beginnings,and are-master ofChrono Cross,which will also come with the origin storyRadical Dreamers.The Direct was, however, notably lacking in updates regarding some highly anticipated upcoming titles such as the sequel toThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.
Live A Livewill release on Aug 03, 2025, for the Nintendo Switch.
