ANTONBLAST launches in Japanese on Switch, PlayStation and Steam

ANTONBLAST has launched its long-awaited Japanese-language version on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Steam. The fast-moving platformer is now available in Japan, with a launch discount on the console editions running until 28 October at 11:59 p.m. local time.¹

Developed by Miami-based studio Summitsphere and published with Joystick Ventures and Beep Japan, ANTONBLAST puts players in control of Dynamite Anton or his colleague Annie. The pair charge through destructive stages with a huge hammer, smashing scenery, hunting down spirits and escaping before each level's countdown expires. Its presentation mixes chunky pixel art with graffiti-inspired colour, while the levels are built around momentum, destruction and rapid route-finding.¹²

The Japanese release is not a new game or a separate edition with different gameplay. It is a localisation update for a title that first arrived on Steam in December 2024. The official Steam listing describes it as an explosive action platformer focused on demolishing environments, battling large bosses and choosing between a quick clear or a more exploratory run.²

The game's central story follows Anton after Satan steals his spirit collection. Anton joins forces with the disgraced casino owner Brulo, who has his own reason to want revenge. Each stage asks players to set Brulo's detonators, find Anton's spirits and get out before the stage's Happy Hour ends. That structure gives the game a clear rhythm: break through the level, locate what matters and then sprint for the exit.¹²

The Japanese launch adds another language to a game whose appeal has always depended heavily on visual communication. The destructible scenery, oversized enemies and expressive animation make the action readable at speed, while the localisation opens the story and supporting text to a wider audience. Famitsu describes the game as drawing inspiration from Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3, Metroid Dread and Cuphead, although ANTONBLAST has its own louder, more demolition-focused identity.¹

On Switch, PS4 and PS5, the launch price is listed as 3,080 yen including tax, with a temporary 10 per cent discount bringing the console versions to 2,772 yen. The Steam listing also shows a launch reduction, although its price can vary by region and platform.¹²

Our opinion

The Japanese launch is useful news because it removes the biggest barrier facing a very text-heavy indie game: access to its personality. ANTONBLAST already communicates much of its character through animation and level design, but the newly supported language makes the story, menus and release messaging easier to follow without changing the game's core appeal. It is also a sensible moment to revisit the game because the console versions arrive alongside a discount rather than as a quiet language patch months later.

The important distinction is that this is a localisation-led release, not a sequel or a major content expansion. Players looking for a new campaign should set expectations accordingly. Players who skipped the original because Japanese support was missing now have a straightforward reason to take another look, particularly if they enjoy compact platformers that reward speed, destructibility and repeated runs.