Tanglewood Definitive Edition launches on Nintendo Switch eShop

The darling Genesis/Mega-Drive indie game Tanglewood has come to Nintendo Switch with a new definitive edition. Originally released on Genesis/Mega-Drive in cartridge form and to PC, Mac, and Linux in 2018, this new release adds extra features that even the computer versions don’t have, such as widescreen support, new high quality music, and a new storybook mode to flesh out the world of Tanglewood.

Already an amazing achievement on Genesis, Tanglewood Definitive Edition (which just goes by “Tanglewood” on Nintendo’s eShop) is largely the same as it was on Genesis. However, this new version adds in enough to easily warrant a new playthrough if you’re already experienced in the game. You can find out more about this new release past the break below.

Tanglewood Definitive Edition has a bevy of new features that were described in greater detail in an update from the game’s original Kickstarter page, its first backer update since May 2019, after the original versions of the game already shipped out to backers. (That Dreamcast port is still on hiatus, but never outright cancelled, it seems.)

The TANGLEWOOD Chronicles

An all-new story book mode which allows the player to read the history of the world of TANGLEWOOD, accompanied by painted illustrations of key moments.

Widescreen

The game is now presented in glorious 16:9 widescreen! This helps level legibility and allows the player to see what’s coming up. Some minor level design changes were made to accommodate, and the UI has been overhauled to take advantage.

High Quality Audio

All audio has been re-exported to high quality stereo samples, and sound effects are now panned positionally.

Ambient Audio

The game now features ambient background tracks to help immerse the player into the world, so it’s a little less eerily quiet.

New Camera System

The right Joy-Con stick can control the camera freely to scan ahead for dangerous jumps or drops. There is also a camera focus system, which directs the player’s attention to danger, or hint at secret areas coming up.

New Visual Effects

Some effects are now rendered using shaders, which provides some nicer visuals.

New Boss

The Ydd Bee is the game’s major new boss fight. It is an angry electrified worker bee!

New Level

This challenging level in the final chapter was cut from the original release due to memory constraints, but now it’s back.

Tutorial and Signposting

Since the Nintendo Switch version will not feature a printed user manual like the original release, a new tutorial system has been implemented to teach new players the controls, and how to navigate the first level. We’ve also reintroduced some signposting to the first chapter, a feature that was originally cut due to video memory constraints.

Backtrack Mode

The game’s save system has had a total overhaul, and a new Continue menu added to allow players to revisit previously completed levels to find missing collectibles, unlock achievements, and reach 100% completion without the need to start again from fresh.

Enemy and Boss Improvements

Some changes to enemy behaviour have been implemented, including boss fights, to help clear up some player confusion and make them more interesting to beat. We’ve also done a full a balancing pass, to make the game a little more difficult where necessary.

Secret Areas

The game now rewards the player for exploration… if you’re careful. Some new secret areas have been created to hide collectibles.

Firefly Collectibles

New fireflies have been added, so that each level contains 10. With the new level, this brings the total fireflies in the game to 220.

Scroll Collectibles

Each level now contains a collectible scroll, which reveals two pages in The TANGLEWOOD Chronicles story book. Collecting all scrolls allows the full story of TANGLEWOOD to be read.

New Achievements

The PC version of the game shipped with achievements, but due to some gameplay changes some of those achievements are no longer possible to unlock, so they have been overhauled. There is also now an achievements menu with descriptions of how to unlock them.

100% Completion Score

There is now a completion percentage on the Continue screen. Complete all levels, collect everything, and unlock all achievements to get 100%!

We gave the original release a B- in our review of it in 2018, and speaking personally, it is one of my favorite Genesis games of all time. I think Tanglewood ranks up there with some of the best games from the Genesis’s time as a commercially relevant console. With that in mind, I can heartily recommend Tanglewood in any form it comes in, but I think you’re going to really appreciate this new Definitive Edition. It is currently exclusively available on the Nintendo eShop in North America and Europe as a download game. No word yet on if or when it will come to any other platforms.

The original version of Tanglewood is still available on Steam, GOG, and itch.io for Windows, Mac (Only for old, 32-bit Mac computers, unfortunately), and Linux. All PC versions also come with a Genesis ROM to run in your favorite Genesis emulator or on real hardware with a flash cartridge. Original cartridges are also still available to purchase through Mega Cat Studios, Castlemania Games, and Rondo Products.

If you like, you can also check out Barry’s interview with Tanglewood’s creator Matt Phillips on the SegaBits Swingin’ Report Show.

Did you ever play Tanglewood before? Are you about to try the Definitive Edition? Is that going to be your way of first experiencing the game? Please let us know in the comments below.

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