Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma is on sale for the first time since its June 5 release. Amazon is offering a $10 discount on the Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch physical editions. The Switch 2 physical edition includes the full game on the card and is $60 (was $70), and the Switch version is $50 (was $60). If Amazon sells out of Switch 2 copies, Best Buy is offering the same deal.
Guardians of Azuma at Amazon:
Along with the deals, it’s worth noting that the Earth Dancer Limited Edition for Switch is in stock at Amazon and GameStop. The $100 edition was hard to find for months, and production/shipping issues led to publisher Marvelous officially delaying it by two weeks to June 20. Amazon has restocked the Earth Dancer Edition multiple times since late June, but you may not have much more time to grab it. Best Buy and Walmart haven’t stocked it in months, and Best Buy’s store page now states it no longer carries it. As such, once Amazon and GameStop sell out of existing inventory, future restocks are unlikely because it seems to already be out of print. The Earth Dancer Edition doesn’t have a dedicated Switch 2 version, but you can upgrade for $10 on the eShop.
Updated on August 5
$60 (was $70) | Full game on card
The Nintendo Switch 2 edition of Guardians of Azuma has higher resolution and frame rates. It’s also one of the games that supports Joy-Con 2 mouse controls, allowing you to play the game similarly to how you would if you bought the PC version.
As mentioned, the only two retailers offering the $10 discount are Amazon and Best Buy. Switch 2 games with physical editions have largely maintained their original prices since launch. This is actually the biggest discount we’ve seen for a Switch 2 boxed game. Last week, the Amazon-owned retailer Woot had both Zelda games and Mario Kart World for $8 discounts.
$100 | In stock at Amazon & GameStop
The 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
As mentioned, the price of the Earth Dancer Edition is effectively $110 for Switch 2 owners due to the $10 Upgrade Pack.
Earth Dancer Edition Stock Update:
Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma has been a hit with both critics and fans. It currently holds a Metascore of 81 on review aggregator Metacritic (a GameSpot sister site). Guardians of Azuma has a user review average of 8.3/10, and the PC version currently sits at “Very Positive” based on nearly 2,000 customer reviews.
The new entry takes the RPG-meets-farming-sim formula to new heights. Set in Azuma–a fantasy world inspired by Japanese folklore–the game places players in the role of a magical martial artist known as an Earth Dancer. You embark on a journey to restore the land by building farms, repairing villages, and completing RPG-style quests where you’ll square off against bosses with magical swords imbued with elements.
More Rune Factory games on Switch
If you enjoy Guardians of Azuma and want to play previous entries in the series, you’re in luck, because there are three other great Rune Factory games on Nintendo Switch already. Rune Factory 5 is the most recent numbered game 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.
