If you've been eyeing Bill & Ted's Excellent Retro Collection on the Nintendo Switch for a while, it's time to make your move. The delightfully nostalgic compilation, which has brought joy to fans of the whimsical sci-fi franchise, is set to vanish from the eShop. Limited Run Games, a publisher known for distributing collector's editions of digital games in physical form, has made it known that the collection will be delisted before the dawn of 2024.
The collection, which presents a duo of games, serves as a time capsule for gamers who love to indulge in the experiences of yesteryears. Bill & Ted's Excellent Video Game Adventure, which originally launched on the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), along with Bill & Ted's Excellent Portable Adventure from the age of the Game Boy, form this historic set. For many, they represent not just video games but a slice of pop culture history wrapped in humor, time-travel, and air guitar solos.
So why is the collection being pulled from digital shelves? According to Josh Fairhurst, the CEO of Limited Run Games, the company had obtained the Bill & Ted license for a term of two years. Given the time taken for development, the collection enjoyed just over 10 months on sale since its release on February 17th, 2023. It's a short window that many fans of Bill & Ted's wacky adventures might not have expected.
However, it's not all disappointing news. For those who have already welcomed the collection into their digital libraries, rest assured you'll continue to have access to it. Fairhurst has clarified that while purchasing the collection will no longer be an option, downloading it if you've previously bought it isn’t going away. This is standard for most digital storefronts, ensuring that customers maintain access to their purchased content even if it's no longer available for sale to new customers.
Regarding the price point, the collection is reasonably priced, making it an accessible investment for those intrigued by the antics of Bill S. Preston, Esq. and Ted "Theodore" Logan. With tags of $12.69 in the United States and £8.69 in the UK, fans of the film series or retro gaming enthusiasts can snag the collection without digging too deeply into their wallets.
It might seem inconsequential to some, but the delisting of a digital game often tugs at the heartstrings of gamers who see their virtual storefronts not just as mere catalogues but as libraries preserving the legacy of gaming. There's a certain charm to knowing that you can revisit these digital aisles and pluck out a game from the digital ether that throws you back in time, much like the phone booth time machine at the center of the Bill & Ted films.
Physical collectors need not despair, for Limited Run Games has a contingency for those who prefer tactile media. While the digital version faces the proverbial music, physical copies remain up for grabs via the company's website. This is a lifeline for collectors and those who love to line their shelves with the tangible symbols of their gaming passion.
So, "be excellent to each other" – and if you're inclined to hop into the virtual booth of nostalgia, don't dawdle. The clock is ticking for fans to secure their digital copy of Bill & Ted's Excellent Retro Collection before it takes its final bow on the Nintendo Switch eShop. Whether you're a devoted fan of the series, a gamer with a penchant for the classics, or seeking a bit of lighthearted fun, the time to act is now. Walk down that digital memory lane and catch this piece of gaming history before it fades into the annals of the virtual world.
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