The science fiction visual novel Steins;Gate is coming back in a major way. Developer MAGES confirmed that Steins;Gate Re:Boot will launch August 20 across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2. The studio unveiled the news through a new opening movie and revealed pricing ranging from 6,380 yen for the standard digital edition to 14,080 yen for a limited Switch 2 edition.
This marks the second full remake of the beloved time-travel story. The original 2009 visual novel spawned an acclaimed anime adaptation, which formed the basis of 2019's Steins;Gate Elite. The new Re:Boot goes further, with reconstructed character designs, new outfits and accessories meant to feel modern, and re-recorded voice acting throughout. Composer Takeshi Abo contributed fresh background music alongside the returning soundtrack elements.
The remake's most significant addition is a seventh ending scenario, brand new to Re:Boot. One producer disclosed that this new conclusion will include an original ending song. Players navigate the story through dialogue choices and decision-making typical of the visual novel genre, and MAGES estimates 30 to 50 hours of gameplay in the expanded version.
Story-wise, players still control Rintaro Okabe, an unorthodox inventor racing to unlock the mechanics of time travel alongside a ragtag crew of college students. The visual overhaul includes updated UI and refined presentation across all platforms, though physical editions will be limited to PS5 and Switch 2. The Switch 2 physical version will ship with a game-key card.
Whether North America gets the same August 20 release date remains unconfirmed, but the official website already lists English and Chinese subtitle support, signaling international plans. Steam wishlisting is already live, though a PC launch window has not been specified beyond the August timeframe for consoles.
The timing of a Switch 2 launch title is noteworthy for Nintendo's new hardware rollout. A special bonus feature comparable to the 8-Bit ADV Steins;Gate that shipped with Elite on Switch has not been announced for Re:Boot.
Author Emily Chen: "This isn't just a remaster,it's a deliberate effort to retell a story that already defined visual novel storytelling, and a new ending feels overdue after fans have picked the original six clean for nearly two decades."
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