(Image credit: Konami)
During today’s excitement around Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, viewers might have noticed an unexpected hiccup. The stream briefly faltered just as it presented a cartoony, cooperative survival game. This wasn’t a personal technical issue; the broadcast glitched for everyone, right at the critical moment when a remarkable revival of a 26-year-old Konami cult classic was being showcased.
The game in question, Survival Kids, didn’t get to make a strong first impression in its debut trailer, due to the stream interruption. This hybrid of survival games and cartoony co-op adventures features engaging fishing and cooking minigames, alongside puzzles to crack, all while players endeavor to escape mysterious islands. If not for the title that briefly appeared before the stream resumed, the significance of this revival might have been lost on many.
Originally released as a Game Boy Color title, the original Survival Kids series arrived during a time when survival games were scarcely known. With gameplay reminiscent of the Zelda classics but a unique focus on survival mechanics like managing hunger and thirst, it set itself apart with its RPG elements. The series later emerged as Lost in Blue on the DS for western players, establishing a devoted fanbase of retro portable lovers thanks to its nonlinear storylines and multiple endings.
Back in the day, I was utterly captivated by Survival Kids, purely due to a detailed walkthrough I found within a cherished issue of Nintendo Power. Though I never managed to save enough birthday money to own a copy, the fascination with the series has always lingered in my mind.
Now, as we greet the return of Survival Kids, which goes back to its roots with the original title, the revamped version marks a fresh yet nostalgic chapter. Set to release exclusively on Nintendo’s new console on June 5, the same day as the Switch 2 launch, it’s a notable addition to the rapidly expanding list of upcoming Switch 2 games, promising to crowd our gaming schedules further. Here’s to more weekly digests, community tales, and the endless excitement only Nintendo can offer!