Animal Well Is Getting New PS5 And Switch Physical Editions

Animal Well is one of the best puzzle-focused Metroidvanias of recent memory, coming out of nowhere in 2024 and launching to rave reviews from critics and players, and even garnering a nomination for Best Debut Indie Game at the 2024 Video Game Awards. While the game saw a digital release on PC and consoles and two small-batch physical printings from both Limited Run Games (now sold out) and Lost in Cult, Animal Well is now finally getting an official physical release on Nintendo Switch and PS5 later this year. A firm launch date for this new physical version has not been announced, and there are no preorder bonuses. However, you can already preorder the PS5 and Switch versions for $35 at Amazon and Best Buy.

$35 | Release Date TBA

This new physical edition features different cover art from the Limited Run and Lost in Cult versions. It comes with the base game plus the latest patches right on the cartridge or disc, and the Switch version also includes a Switch 2 update patch. Both the Switch and PS5 versions are DoesItPlay approved, meaning you can start playing directly from the cartridge or disc without the need for additional downloads or an internet connection.

Our Animal Well review gave it an impressive 9/10, praising its unique items, suspenseful enemy encounters, and surreal visual design. “This is a game that’s chock full of pleasant surprises, from the way its items forgo tradition in interesting ways to the visual design and sense of atmosphere generated by its bizarre, neon-soaked world,” wrote critic Richard Wakeling. “Animal Well might look antiquated and familiar at first glance, but this well is cavernous and unpredictable.” The upcoming new physical edition is the perfect excuse to try out the game if you have yet to play it.

As mentioned above, Limited Run Games and Lost in Cult also produced physical editions of Animal Well–though these are much smaller print runs than the new version available to preorder. Unfortunately, Limited Run’s version has been sold out for a while, but you can still pick up Lost in Cult’s Animal Well Exclusive Variant at the Lost in Cult website if you don’t want to wait for the new standard edition. Lost in Cult’s Animal Well releases features an exclusive cover design by Derek Yu (developer of Spelunky, UFO 50). A few other Animal Well items are available at Lost in Cult, such as a vinyl version of the game’s soundtrack and the gorgeous hardcover Animal Well: Design Works book chronicling the game’s development. You can even bundle all of Lost in Cult’s Animal Well releases together to create your own ersatz collector’s edition. Keep in mind these are offered in limited quantities, so grab them while you can.