Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma will be available as a launch title for Nintendo Switch 2, and you can preorder the physical edition now at Amazon and Best Buy. Like other Switch 2 editions of cross-generation Nintendo games, Guardians of Azuma will cost $10 more on the new console compared to the Switch edition. The June 5 launch for the next entry in the popular role-playing farming sim franchise extends to the Nintendo Switch and PC versions. This means fans will have to wait one week longer than expected to dive in, as Guardians of Azuma was initially slated for a May 30 launch.
Like previous entries in the Rune Factory series, there are two physical editions to choose from on Nintendo Switch, including the Earth Dancer Limited Edition for $100. The standard edition appears to be the only physical option for Switch 2, but if you already preordered the Earth Dancer Limited Edition, you can purchase a paid upgrade on the eShop to download the Switch 2 edition.
$100 | Paid upgrade for Switch 2 version available
The $100 Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma – Earth Dancer Limited Edition includes the physical edition for Nintendo Switch and the following extras:
- Woolby character plush keychain
- 140-plus page art book
- Official soundtrack on CD
- Traditional Japanese folding fan
- Seasons of Love DLC bundle with extra downloadable Woolby Costumes
- Custom box with unique cover art
- In-game content as DLC:
- Festive Attire & Dark Woolby Bundle
- Seasons of Love Bundle
- Rune Factory 4 Outfit Bundle
- Useful Item Bundle
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma – Earth Dancer Limited Edition Preorders are available now at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. At the moment, the Earth Dancer Limited Edition is only available for the original Nintendo Switch, so Switch 2 owners likely need to upgrade their copy via the eShop. Pricing hasn’t officially been confirmed for the Switch 2 upgrade, but it will almost certainly cost $10.
$60
If you only want a physical copy of the base game, you can preorder the Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma for $60 at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. Digital preorders are also available on Switch, and on PC via Steam. As mentioned, you can upgrade from the Switch to Switch 2 edition later on for a fee (likely $10).
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma looks to be an evolution of the established RPG-meets-farming-sim formula of previous Rune Factory games. The game is set in Azuma–a fantasy world inspired by Japanese folklore, where players take the role of a magical martial artist known as an “Earth Dancer” on a quest to restore the land by building farms, repairing villages, and taking on RPG-style quests and boss battles.
Note: Collector’s editions for multiple other Rune Factory games for Switch, including Rune Factory 5 and Rune Factory 4 Special, aren’t always easy to find for reasonable prices these days. If you want all the bonus goodies above, you’ll probably want to secure a preorder before the Earth Dancer Edition is gone.
More Rune Factory games on Switch
If you’re interested in Guardians of Azuma and haven’t played all of the previous entries in the franchise, you’re in luck, because there are three great Rune Factory games on Nintendo Switch already. Rune Factory 5 is the most recent new entry in the franchise, but remastered versions of Rune Factory 3 and 4 are also worth checking out. Rune Factory 3 originally released on Nintendo DS in 2010, while Rune Factory 4 first appeared on 3DS in 2013. You can get all three for cheap at Amazon. You can even still get Rune Factory 3’s Golden Memories Limited Edition for less than retail price.
Another RPG farming sim hybrid to check out while you wait for Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is Square Enix’s Harvestella, which is also exclusive to Nintendo Switch and PC.
