Look who’s smiling now.
After Nintendo’s earlier teaser of a new M-rated game, the Japanese company has now revealed the new title is none other than a brand-new Famicom Detective Club game. As the first new entry since 1989 (25 years), Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club releases next month on August 29, 2024 for the Nintendo Switch.
As well as digital, a physical release has been announced as well, with a first look at the box art available here:
In addition to today’s news, Nintendo have shared a video featuring the game’s producer, Yoshio Sakamoto, which you can see here:
*UPDATE (17/07/2024): Now that Nintendo have shared the official press announcement for Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club, for those who would like to check it out, we have it here:
EMIO – THE SMILING MAN: FAMICOM DETECTIVE CLUB LAUNCHES FOR NINTENDO SWITCH ON THURSDAY 29th AUGUST
Investigate a crime and unmask the truth in a dark, twisted thriller
17th July, 2024 – Play the role of an assistant private investigator with Utsugi Detective Agency and help police solve a murder case when Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club launches for Nintendo Switch on Thursday 29th August. Along the way, scrutinise the clues and gather testimonies for potential connections to the gruesome events of the past in this interactive drama.
In Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club, a student has been found dead in a chilling fashion, his head covered with a paper bag with an eerie smiling face drawn on it. This unsettling visage bears a striking resemblance to a recurring clue in a string of unsolved murders from 18 years ago—as well as Emio (the Smiling Man), a killer of urban legend who is said to grant his victims “a smile that will last forever.” Learn more about this new instalment from series producer Yoshio Sakamoto, who was involved from the plot foundations to the small details of the script and cutscenes with the Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club – A chat with producer Yoshio Sakamoto video.
Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club is the first new Famicom Detective Club story in 35 years and follows the previously released first and second instalments in the series, most recently remade for Nintendo Switch: Famicom Detective Club: The Missing Heir and Famicom Detective Club: The Girl Who Stands Behind.
Has a serial killer returned, or is this the work of a copycat? Are these crimes inspired by the Smiling Man story, or the origin of it? Players will discover the answers and more as they investigate in Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club.
Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club launches for Nintendo Switch on Thursday 29th August. Play the role of an assistant private investigator with Utsugi Detective Agency and help police solve a murder case. Scrutinise the clues and gather testimonies for potential connections to a string of unsolved murders from 18 years ago—as well as Emio (the Smiling Man).
About Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club:
Investigate a brutal death and its connection to an urban legend – A student has been found dead! His head was covered with a paper bag with an eerie smiling face drawn on it—much like the victims of Emio, the Smiling Man—a killer of urban legend who is said to place such a bag over his victims’ heads.
As an assistant private investigator, you are tasked with helping police solve this crime, which is reminiscent of a series of unsolved murders from 18 years ago. Has a serial killer returned, or is this the work of a copycat? Are these crimes inspired by the Smiling Man story, or the origin of it?
Discover the answers to these questions and more as a member of the Utsugi Detective Agency in this intense story of suspicion, isolation, and fragility.
Explore an interactive drama full of interesting characters
Continue the adventures of the Utsugi Detective Agency with the return of familiar characters—including the returning protagonist from previous games, and Ayumi Tachibana, who is now playable in certain sections of the game for the first time in the series!
Playing as the investigative duo, you’ll need to learn a lot about the personalities and backstories of the other characters if you want to discover the truth. Who is harmless, and who is keeping important secrets? Ask questions, reference your notes, and make connections—you’ll have to order your thoughts and examine your leads carefully to draw the right conclusions.
Source: Nintendo
