The Famicom Detective Club games are mystery adventures that first debuted on Famicom Disk System in Japan back in 1988, with a second game following in 1989. Now, 35 years later, we’re finally getting a new entry on Nintendo Switch titled Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club. The full reveal came after last week’s enigmatic teases, in which Nintendo flashed images of a bag-faced character and asked the question “Who is Emio?” While we may not be able to answer that just yet, at least we know which game Emio belongs in now! Emio – The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club is due out on Nintendo Switch around the world on August 29, 2024, and will receive both physical and digital releases. A trailer and chat with producer and writer Yoshio Sakamoto is available via Nintendo of America’s YouTube channel, but since it’s age-restricted at the moment you’ll have to click through to watch it.
The original games, The Missing Heir and The Girl Who Stands Behind, also had Sakamoto on board as writer. Remakes of both launched on Switch around the world in 2021, complete with voice acting and other modern features. Here’s how Nintendo describes Emio – The Smiling Man:
Investigate a brutal death and its connection to an urban legend
A student has been found dead! His head was covered with a paper bag with an eerie smiling face drawn on it—much like the victims of Emio, the Smiling Man—a killer of urban legend who is said to place such a bag over his victims’ heads.
As an assistant private investigator, you are tasked with helping police solve this crime, which is reminiscent of a series of unsolved murders from 18 years ago. Has a serial killer returned, or is this the work of a copycat? Are these crimes inspired by the Smiling Man story, or the origin of it?
Discover the answers to these questions and more as a member of the Utsugi Detective Agency in this intense story of suspicion, isolation, and fragility.
Explore an interactive drama full of interesting characters
Continue the adventures of the Utsugi Detective Agency with the return of familiar characters—including the returning protagonist from previous games, and Ayumi Tachibana, who is now playable in certain sections of the game for the first time in the series!
Playing as the investigative duo, you’ll need to learn a lot about the personalities and backstories of the other characters if you want to discover the truth. Who is harmless, and who is keeping important secrets? Ask questions, reference your notes, and make connections—you’ll have to order your thoughts and examine your leads carefully to draw the right conclusions.
Source: Nintendo
