GOBBLE

GOBBLE is a hand-painted, side-scrolling 2D action adventure from Nippon Ichi Software. The boy Root searches for his missing family and meets Kamael, a talking, bird-like monster with an insatiable appetite. The companion can transform into a scythe that devours defeated enemies.

In the English marketing for the Western release, the characters are called Root and Scythariel. They are the same lead characters as in the Japanese version, not a separate game. Combat, jumping sections and using devoured monster powers form the core of the adventure.

In Japan, GOBBLE came out on Sep 24, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, as well as PC. Steam dates its PC release to Sep 23, 2026, matching the store time listed there. This Asian version, which is already available, should be distinguished from the later localisation.

NIS America plans an English-localised release for Europe and North America in 2027 on PC, PS5, Switch and Switch 2. The publisher has not yet named a specific day or month. GOBBLE is therefore not planned for 2027 worldwide: the game itself is already out, and the Western language version follows later.

GOBBLE has native versions for PC, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo's newer console does not just get a backward-compatibility release: Nippon Ichi describes a standalone Switch 2 edition with improved frame rate and visuals compared with Switch.

Important when switching platforms: according to the official correction of Mar 18, 2026, save data from the Switch version cannot be transferred to the Switch 2 version. Physical Switch 2 copies are also sold as a Game Key Card and require downloading the actual game after insertion. PC players can access the Japanese version, which is already released, via Steam.

GOBBLE plays like a fast 2D platformer: Root moves through hand-illustrated levels, dodges hazards and fights with his companion's scythe. A defeated monster is not just cleared out of the way. Kamael can devour the enemy and gain energy for special actions and movement abilities.

The powers this creates are also meant to open paths through hard-to-reach areas. Progress therefore requires not only quick reactions, but also deciding when to use a charged ability and whether an optional side path hides extra secrets.

According to the verified Steam product data, the PC version requires a 64-bit Windows PC with 8 GB RAM, an Intel Core i5-6400, a GeForce GTX 750 Ti, DirectX 12 and 4 GB of free storage. Recommended are an Intel Core i5-12500, 16 GB RAM and a GeForce GTX 1650.

These details refer to the available PC version. Hardware lists like this do not apply to the consoles; for the Switch 2 Game Key Card, the separate mandatory download also needs to be taken into account.

An old story claims that a hero once defeated the Demon King and all monsters. For Root, the danger therefore at first sounds like a fairy tale. When the creatures suddenly reappear and his family vanishes, the boy has to set out himself.

His unusual helper Scythariel, however, has no selfless goal: the bird-like being wants to satisfy its hunger and makes Root an unwilling companion. This uneven partnership creates the central contrast between the boy's worry for his family and the monster's greed.

Scythariel's Sense turns defeated enemies into a resource. Devoured monsters can provide life energy or enable especially powerful actions, which in turn use up energy. This means the player has to weigh the value of an ability against the remaining reserves.

The mechanic is also closely tied to level design. Certain chasms and hidden paths require a matching monster power. This makes feeding more than just a combat animation: it is a way of exploring the environment.

Behind the compact, hand-drawn backdrops lie branching paths and collectibles. NIS America announces hidden finds in certain sections, meant to reward targeted exploration. New monster powers open up additional routes past obstacles and dangerous enemies.

The scope is tied to completed levels, not a freely explorable 3D game world. If you confuse GOBBLE with a large open-world action production, you will expect the wrong structure: here, precise platforming sections and searching within hand-crafted scenes take center stage.

GOBBLE stands out with fluidly animated, hand-painted characters and comic-style transitions. Onomatopoeia and other sound effects appear visibly within the game world, reinforcing the feel of a moving illustration. The creepy opening story is deliberately told in a colorful, exaggerated visual style.

The official Japanese site names Suzuki Moe as development lead, with Kazuya Takasu and a_hisa for the music. The presentation is not meant to look photorealistic, but to make the rhythm of the battles and the quirks of the characters immediately recognizable.

The version currently available on Steam lists Japanese, Korean and Traditional Chinese as text languages. English or German are not yet listed there as supported. This matters especially for international buyers, even though NIS America already appears as publisher.

For the planned Western release in 2027, NIS America lists English on-screen text and Japanese voice audio. On PC, additional Asian text languages are listed. An official German translation has not been confirmed so far. The later Western release does not retroactively change the language options of today's Japanese store version.

Alongside the base game, Nippon Ichi sells regional special editions. These include physical collector's editions as well as digital variants with an additional artbook and soundtrack. These extras should be kept separate from the 2D game itself and do not constitute standalone expansions of the story.

For the physical Switch 2 version, the required Game-Key Card must be distinguished from conventional cartridges. For Western editions, the exact contents should be checked before buying using the regional store description, as Japanese collector's editions do not automatically appear identically in Europe.