Stray Children Release Date
Alright, let’s get this out of the way up front: Stray Children is officially set to release worldwide on October 30, 2025, for Nintendo Switch and Steam. There’s something oddly satisfying about a game release that’s actually got a bit of buildup, especially when it’s from a quirky, tight-knit Japanese studio like Onion Games. If you’re the type who marks game launches on a calendar, maybe stick a funny doodle next to the date: a little kid stepping into a TV. Or, you know, just set an alarm and call it a day.
Why Some of Us Are Waiting
Have you ever had a game just kind of haunt your wishlist, popping up every time you open Steam or scroll eShop? That’s been Stray Children for me ever since Onion Games started teasing it with those surreal, bittersweet trailers. The anticipation feels like the weeks before a favorite band’s new album, equal parts excitement and nervousness that it’s going to hit something deep, or at least offer a memorable ride.
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The developer, Onion Games, has real street cred among RPG fans. These are the folks behind cult favorites like Moon: Remix RPG Adventure, and the vibe here is similarly offbeat and, well, onion-layered.
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It had its first splash in Japan in late 2024 December 26, 2024. Now, the global crowd finally gets to dive in.
Seriously, the only real downside is resisting spoilers for almost a year. (I did my best. Mostly succeeded.)
What’s Stray Children About, Anyway?
Imagine being sucked into an old TV and waking up in a wild universe that’s all kids, no adults, at least, not the friendly kind. The story kicks off with a boy and a mysterious TV (shades of those late-night cartoons that got weirder the later it got). Next thing you know, he’s navigating a world where children run the show and adults are these monstrous, self-doubting “Olders.” And honestly, if that isn’t a metaphor for growing up, what is?
If you’ve grown up with a love for classic RPGs or just weird, heartfelt stories, this one feels like it’s for the folks who spent their childhood wandering wild places in games, sometimes just to see what happens if you press every button.
Who’s Making Stray Children?
That would be Onion Games, the sort of indie developer that comes up with stuff you almost can’t explain until you play it. Yoshiro Kimura and his team have a history of making games that feel like fever dreams, with narrative twists and tones you don’t see in big studio blockbusters. If you’ve played their earlier titles, Dandy Dungeon, Black Bird, or even the bafflingly cute Million Onion Hotel, you’ll know what I mean: expect oddball humor, melancholy, and probably one moment that’ll stick in your head for weeks.
A Release That Feels Like a Little Event
There’s a unique thrill to these small, community-driven launches. If you hang out in RPG or indie gaming forums, you’ll notice fans organizing informal countdowns, posting memes, sometimes sharing way-too-personal theories about the game’s “themes.” Someone I follow on Discord is already betting on who’ll be the most tragic character and promising mild embarrassment if the main villain’s a misunderstood dog.
Disclaimer: This article is based on official announcements and current release information. Release dates and details may change.
