'Stardew Valley' news: Nintendo Switch release date announced, gameplay detailed

Promotional photo of "Stardew Valley" on Steam showing the farming possibilities in-game, as well as the charming graphics. Steam/Stardew Valley

"Stardew Valley" fans who also have the Nintendo Switch are in for a surprise, as developer Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone and publisher Chucklefish have just announced the release date for the Switch version of the game, a few days before the actual release.

The indie farming roleplaying game (RPG) will be available for the Switch on Oct. 5 for $14.99. Barone was also happy to bring the game on the hybrid handheld console since he allegedly "grew up on Nintendo." Fans of the "Harvest Moon" franchise, which was a popular Game Boy series, are also in for a treat. 

Although many Switch owners have known since 2016 about a possible "Stardew Valley" port for the latest Nintendo handheld, the release date still came in as a surprise for some because it was announced three days before the actual release.

On its release date, the game will be available as a digital version on the Switch eShop. This is the first time that "Stardew Valley" will be getting a portable version, as it has only been offered for PlayStation 4 (PS4), Xbox One and PC since its initial release.

For those unfamiliar with the game, "Stardew Valley," like "Harvest Moon," is essentially a farming simulator where the players' characters inherit their grandfather's old farm plot in a place called Stardew Valley. This was a welcome change of lifestyle from the player character's hectic and toxic office job, as was shown in the game's introduction. The game gives players the tools to begin farming, as well as the freedom to do whatever non-farming activity they want in-game like forming relationships with the townspeople or exploring caves and killing aliens.

"Stardew Valley" remains one of the biggest gaming success stories of 2016. Barone, working alone as the game's developer, has since made over $30 million from the game's individual retail price of $14.99 per copy. Apart from being a commercial success, the game was also well received with over 97 percent positive overall Steam reviews.

"Stardew Valley" for Nintendo Switch will be released on the aforementioned date of Oct. 5 on the eShop for $14.99. Players can also try other versions of the game on PS4, Xbox One, and PC for the same price.

News
Dozens of Scottish church leaders warn against legalising assisted suicide
Dozens of Scottish church leaders warn against legalising assisted suicide

Pastors and Christian leaders across Scotland have signed an open letter to MSPs urging them to vote against a draft bill that seeks to legalise assisted suicide. 

Sequel to hit Christian movie 'I Can Only Imagine' gets new release date
Sequel to hit Christian movie 'I Can Only Imagine' gets new release date

The release date for the faith-based film “I Can Only Imagine 2,” the sequel to the 2018 box office hit, is moving from March 20, 2026, to Feb. 20, 2026, Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company have announced.

First Minister John Swinney among MSPs to vote against Scottish assisted dying bill
First Minister John Swinney among MSPs to vote against Scottish assisted dying bill

Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, has confirmed he will vote against the controversial Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, ahead of its pivotal Stage 1 vote set for Tuesday evening. 

Suicide is a sin - why can't we say so?
Suicide is a sin - why can't we say so?

It might just be me, but amongst all the myriad and somewhat valid objections raised, including by Christians, to "Assisted Dying" (read "Doctors Killing Patients" or "Doctors Helping Patients to Kill Themselves"), I haven't really seen the most important, indeed the all-decisive, one.