The upcoming remake of The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky is getting a Nintendo Switch 2 edition. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter’s Switch 2 edition is a digital-only release, but the Switch physical edition can be upgraded to Switch 2 for one whole dollar. Preorders for the physical edition of Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter are available for PS5 and Nintendo Switch. The highly anticipated turn-based RPG launches September 19 for $60.
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter features entirely overhauled 3D visuals, new voice acting, turn-based and real-time battle systems, and a bunch of new side quests and regions. Widely regarded as one of the best entries in Nihon Falcom’s sprawling catalog of Trails games, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter should be the ideal entry point for newcomers and a welcome treat for longtime fans.
$60 | Releases September 19
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter’s physical edition is up for preorder at Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy.
As mentioned, the Nintendo Switch 2 edition is only available on the eShop, but Switch owners can upgrade their copy–physical or digital–for only $1. The Switch 2 edition has higher resolution and frame rates as well as faster load times.
If you’re unsure if you want to preorder the remake, we’d recommend checking out Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter’s Prologue Demo, which released August 21. The demo is available to play now on PlayStation 5 and PC, and the Switch version should be downloadable soon. The progress you make in the demo can be transferred to the full game.
Returning players will probably be happy to learn the remake could take twice as long to beat. In an interview with the Japanese gaming publication Gamer, Nihon Falcom president Toshihiro Kondo discussed how the 3D game world, new voice acting, and other updates naturally add to the game’s length. Playthrough times for Trails games can vary significantly from one player to the next, but if it took you 40 hours to complete the original, it might take you closer to 80 in the remake.
Trails in the Sky originally released on PC in Japan in 2004. The English localization debuted on PlayStation Portable in 2006. Subsequent ports and enhanced editions for PS3 and Vita were exclusive to Japan. A worldwide Steam port released in 2014, and this edition is still sold today (for $20). For reference, Trails in the Sky has a “Very Positive” review average based on over 6,000 Steam reviews.
Nihon Falcom’s Legend of Heroes franchise dates back to 1989, but the 2004 release of Trails in the Sky marked the beginning of the modern “Trails” series. More than a dozen Trails games have been released over the past 20 years. While there are numerous arcs within the Trails series–Trails of Cold Steel, Trails through Daybreak, etc.–playing Trails in the Sky and its two sequels is highly recommended to fully appreciate the franchise’s excellent worldbuilding and lore.
Trails in the Sky follows adoptive siblings Joshua and Estelle Bright, who join the Bracers peacekeeping organization. They’re soon caught up in an international conspiracy and must join forces with various other characters to thwart a deadly coup. Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter was made in the same engine as the Trails through Daybreak duology. And just like the Daybreak games, the remake pairs the franchise’s traditional turn-based combat system with real-time action gameplay.
The next all-new entry in the series, Trails Beyond the Horizon, is scheduled for January 15, 2026. Preorders are available for PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Switch 2. Like many Nihon Falcom games, the $60 Deluxe Edition of Trails Beyond the Horizon will be bundled with multiple goodies (an art book and digital soundtrack).
If you want to check out more Trails games, GameSpot sister site Fanatical has deals on a bunch of them for PC (Steam keys). Fanatical is also offering discounts on multiple games in the Ys series, Nihon Falcom’s long-running action-RPG franchise. Unlike the Trails series, Ys games largely standalone experiences, so you can play them in any order.
Nihon Falcom Games – Physical Editions
We also rounded up a list of physical editions for PlayStation and Nintendo consoles that you can still buy for near MSRP or below.
Notable deals include Trails through Daybreak II: Deluxe Edition for PS5 and Nintendo Switch for $35 (was $60). Daybreak II released earlier this year, and this is by far the best price so far. You can also save big on Ys X: Nordics for PS4 or Nintendo Switch. Over at Amazon, Tokyo Xanadu eX+ for Nintendo Switch is up for grabs for $33 (was $50). Tokyo Xanadu isn’t related to Ys or Trails, but it’s an action-RPG that fans of both series would likely enjoy. Keep in mind that Nihon Falcom games generally don’t stay in print for long, and resellers often sell Trails games for far above MSRP.
Upcoming Nihon Falcom Games
Disclosure: GameSpot and Fanatical are both owned by Fandom.
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