Switch Exclusive May Move to PlayStation Platform

Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time is generating excitement, with rumors suggesting it could be available for both PS4 and PS5 this coming April. Initially announced exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, sharp-eyed fans have discovered a hint pointing toward a broader release, potentially allowing PlayStation owners to jump into the action of Fantasy Life i, as well.

The original Fantasy Life had its roots firmly planted in Nintendo soils, debuting on the 3DS in Japan back in 2012 and then captivating a global audience by 2014. When Level-5 announced the new installment, it carried the assumption that it would continue this Nintendo-exclusive legacy. After some delays, whispers now suggest that the fantasy life simulation game might break new ground by expanding to other platforms.

On January 27, Gematsu unveiled a snapshot of a PlayStation Store page for Fantasy Life i. The listing was quickly removed, stirring speculation that it might have been a premature slip of officially unreleased news. This isn’t the first time the gaming community has buzzed about console exclusivity being potentially lifted. Lately, there’s a wealth of chatter about Xbox games that might grace the upcoming Switch 2. However, this instance flips the script, with a thought-to-be Nintendo exclusive possibly jumping to Sony’s consoles.

According to the PlayStation Store screenshot, Fantasy Life i has versions listed for both PS4 and PS5, with a release date tentatively set for April 23 or 24, factoring in various time zones. Originally, it was teased that the game would drop sometime in April, but this marks the first precise date hint. While game accessory brand Nacon forecasts an April to September launch window for the Switch 2, a late April release for Fantasy Life i aligns well with a simultaneous rollout.

Nintendo rarely extends its exclusives beyond its devices, though there are notable exceptions. The once-exclusive Doom 64 is slated for PS5 and Xbox Series X, and Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water, which began as a Wii U gem, later broadened to PlayStation, Xbox, and PC audiences. Similarly, Level-5’s Professor Layton series transitioned from Nintendo to mobile platforms. This established trend lends credence to the possibility of Fantasy Life i venturing onto PlayStation. However, until an official announcement is made, fans can only speculate and hope.