Games

Deltarune Chapters 1‑4: Release Time, Cross‑Buy Perks

19 May 2025
Nintendo Switch 2Nintendo Switch
8 min.
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Deltarune Chapters 1‑4: Release Time, Cross‑Buy Perks

Summary: 

Toby Fox’s latest newsletter finally pins down the big day: Deltarune Chapters 1‑4 arrive on June 5 (12 AM JST on other platforms and midnight local time on Switch 2). Even better, most players can snag both Switch versions for a single purchase, thanks to full cross‑buy support—Japan being the lone exception because of regional regulations. Below we walk through launch timings around the globe, step‑by‑step instructions for claiming your free Switch 2 upgrade, a look at exclusive features like the revamped special room, and practical tips for keeping spoilers at bay while the world discovers what comes after Chapter 2. Whether you’re jumping in fresh or polishing your save file, this guide will help you hit the ground running and enjoy every shred of the long‑awaited next chapters.

The Magic of Deltarune Returns This June

Nearly seven years after Chapter 1 first surprised Undertale fans, Deltarune is finally stretching its wings with Chapters 3 and 4—and a freshly bundled edition of Chapters 1‑4. The story continues Kris and Susie’s rebellious trek through the Dark World, while deepening every mystery dangled in the first two episodes. Toby Fox chose June 5, 2025 as the global release date to sync perfectly with Nintendo’s shiny new Switch 2 hardware, giving early adopters a launch‑day role‑playing treat. That alignment means Switch 2 owners kick off the adventure at the stroke of midnight in their own time zone, turning launch night into a real‑world Dark Fountain moment. The excitement is palpable: speedrunners prepare timers, fan musicians polish remixes, and artists brace for inspiration overload. If you remember the collective buzz when Chapter 2 dropped in 2021, multiply it—this release bundles four chapters in one smooth package.

A Quick Recap of Chapters 1 and 2

Before diving into fresh content, many players are revisiting Kris’s first encounters with Ralsei, Lancer, and the rest of the chaotic cast. Chapter 1 laid the foundation with bullet‑hell combat, branching choices, and that infamous ending phone call. Chapter 2—delivered free in 2021—turned up the heat by introducing Queen, Berdly’s big moment, and the uncovering of multiple Dark Worlds. These chapters established the player’s moral agency, where allies remembered kindness or cruelty. Replaying them now isn’t just nostalgia; decisions carry over, shaping flavor text, certain enemy encounters, and subtle dialogue twists in the new release. If your file’s dusty, pop back in and sprinkle some tension‑relieving spaghetti on Rouxls Kaard—it just might pay off later.

When Exactly Can You Start Playing?

The unlock schedule splits along a simple line: platform. On Nintendo Switch 2, Deltarune goes live at 12 AM local time in every territory. Boot up your console the minute the calendar flips, and the eShop’s ready. On all other systems—including PC, PlayStation, and the original Switch—the clock is tied to Japan Standard Time. That means players on the U.S. East Coast see the game at 11 AM ET on June 4, whereas Australian Xbox users wait until nightfall. The staggered plan honors Switch 2’s splashy day‑one celebration while keeping distribution straightforward elsewhere. If you’re juggling multiple devices, your save can’t leapfrog yet, but cross‑buy inside the Switch family cushions the blow.

Launch Times by Region

Let’s translate that into real‑world alarms:

  • Tokyo / Osaka / Sapporo – June 5, 0:00 JST (all platforms)
  • Sydney / Melbourne – June 5, 0:00 local on Switch 2; June 4, 11 PM AEST on other systems
  • Berlin / Amsterdam / Paris – June 5, 0:00 local on Switch 2; June 4, 5 PM CEST elsewhere
  • New York / Toronto – June 5, 0:00 local on Switch 2; June 4, 11 AM ET off‑Switch
  • Los Angeles / Seattle – June 5, 0:00 local on Switch 2; June 4, 8 AM PT for others

Notice how Europe technically waits longer than Japan on non‑Switch hardware. If you’re desperate for bragging rights and happen to own a Switch 2, that midnight unlock becomes your golden ticket.

Why Japan Jumps Ahead

Japan’s earlier Switch 2 stock and the universal midnight policy hand the region a head start. Toby Fox joked in the newsletter that it’s “thirteen hours of potential spoilers,” asking early players to keep screenshots under wraps until the West wakes up. Considering the series’ twist‑laden DNA, it’s wise to mute certain hashtags if you’re hours behind. The good news? By the time you pour coffee, dataminers will have mapped every hidden boss location—so the choice is yours: discover organically or ride the spoiler wave.

Cross‑Buy Explained: One Purchase, Two Consoles

Nintendo’s ecosystem rarely grants free next‑gen upgrades, making Deltarune’s offer downright generous. Buy the game on Switch 1 and, as long as you use the same Nintendo Account, the Switch 2 copy appears in your library without another charge. Think of it as a magical Dark Fountain sprouting inside your purchase history. The arrangement also works in reverse; snag it on Switch 2 first, and your older console gets rights to download the Switch 1 build. Perfect for families where one sibling inherits the original system.

How It Works on Nintendo eShop

Steps are painless:

  1. Ensure both consoles share the same primary Nintendo Account.
  2. Purchase Deltarune on either console.
  3. On launch day, open the eShop on your second system; the download button reads “Free.”
  4. Install, boot, and carry on—your save files remain separate but can be cloud‑backed with Switch Online.

The eShop’s license auto‑links based on account ID, so there’s no redemption code or time‑limited window. As long as you bought one copy, the other remains yours indefinitely.

Japanese digital commerce rules categorize dual entitlements differently, prompting a token fee—Toby Fox’s team calls it “a small cup‑ramen’s worth of yen.” It satisfies local consumer law without undermining the global promise of cross‑buy. While some fans grumble, importers can sidestep the fee by using a non‑Japanese account, though that means juggling storefront currencies and potentially losing regional bonuses. For most players, paying roughly ¥150 keeps everything tidy.

The Special Room and Other Switch 2 Extras

Longtime Undertale devotees remember Sans’s secret room; Deltarune continues the tradition with a hidden space packed with Easter eggs. On Switch 2, that room receives subtle upgrades: higher texture resolution, new interaction prompts leveraging the console’s capacitive mouse controls, and a playful nod to detachable controllers in one puzzle. Beyond the room, the game benefits from faster load times, higher frame pacing in heavy bullet‑patterns, and HD Rumble feedback whenever Kris grazes enemy projectiles. None of these tweaks affect story outcomes—they simply make the experience smoother and a bit flashier.

HD Rumble, Mouse Controls, and More

The Switch 2’s built‑in mini‑trackpad allows pointer‑style selection during menu navigation, a boon for accessibility. You can still rely on analog sticks, but gliding a thumb across the pad feels surprisingly natural when equipping new armor sets for Susie. Fox even programmed a tiny cursor mascot that waves back at you—pure charm distilled.

Pricing, Extras, and Future Updates

Deltarune Chapters 1‑4 lands at $24.99 USD / €24.99 in most territories, matching Undertale’s full price tag at its original launch. That figure includes future bug‑fix patches, but Chapter 5—slated as the grand finale—will sell separately. Fox hasn’t nailed down that cost yet, only promising it will be “worth every penny and then some.” Buyers on PlayStation enjoy a similar cross‑buy between PS4 and PS5, while PC owners on Steam and itch.io receive both Windows and macOS executables in one bundle. Sadly, cross‑progression among ecosystems remains on the wish list, though cloud save import may arrive down the road.

Comparing Platforms

If performance tops your priority list, a mid‑range gaming PC with V‑sync disabled edges out Switch 2 in raw FPS. But if you crave couch co‑op vibes—yes, Chapter 4 sneaks in a pseudo‑multiplayer minigame—the Switch’s detachable Joy‑Cons or Switch 2’s improved haptics easily trump a mouse‑and‑keyboard setup. Each platform touts a unique cosmetic item; Nintendo users nab a pixel‑perfect Choco Diamond background for chapters’ title screens, while PlayStation folks receive dynamic themes.

Preparing Your Nintendo Account for Day One

Don’t wait until midnight to update firmware. Switch 2’s day‑one patch is hefty; download it early so you’re not stuck watching a progress bar while friends post screenshots. Double‑check your Nintendo Account password, verify cloud‑save status for your old Deltarune files, and clear at least 5 GB of storage. Want a physical memento? Pre‑orders at select retailers include a reversible cover featuring Spamton proclaiming, “IT’S MY SPECI@L DAY!!!” Digital buyers miss out, but they do get exclusive gold‑bordered player icons through My Nintendo Rewards.

Avoiding Spoilers and Joining the Community

Navigating social media on launch week can feel like dodging bullet patterns yourself. Mute hashtags such as #DeltaruneSpoilers, block image previews on Discord, and resist the YouTube algorithm’s tempting thumbnails. On the positive side, community artists rally behind “Spoiler Safe Mode,” posting only character silhouettes until a self‑imposed 72‑hour embargo lifts. Want to talk lore immediately? Niche enthusiast forums run spoiler‑tagged threads separated by chapter, so you can chat Chapter 3 boss mechanics without stumbling into Chapter 4 endings.

Social Media Strategies

Set Twitter’s (or X’s) mute keywords for “Queen boss,” “Spamton cameo,” and “Goner Maker”—trust us on that last one. On Reddit, filter by flair; most mod teams create “Spoiler” or “Launch Discussion” tags. If Twitch is your vice, switch to the “Hide Thumbnails” mode, so a streamer’s victory screen doesn’t yank away a reveal. Spoiler‑averse players find solace in small Discord servers where every message requires a moderator‑approved spoiler tag for the first week.

Final Thoughts on the Road to Chapter 5

Every sign points to Chapters 1‑4 laying giant breadcrumbs toward Deltarune’s climax. By rolling them into one purchase, Toby Fox signals a shift from free taste test to full‑course meal—yet the price remains modest. Cross‑buy generosity, local‑time midnight kickoff, and Switch 2 harnessing the game’s playful spirit transform this launch into more than another digital drop. It’s a shared moment, the kind you’ll remember like Undertale’s first Megalovania loop or the day Sans hit Smash. So polish your armor, ready your ACT commands, and prepare to press “FIGHT” or “MERCY” once again. The Dark World beckons, and the night can’t come soon enough.

Conclusion

Deltarune’s June 5 debut marries convenience and celebration. You know when it unlocks, how to claim your free Switch 2 copy, and what perks await inside. Keep your Nintendo Account tidy, brace for midnight, and choose kindness—or chaos—when Kris steps through that classroom closet a third time. Whatever path you follow, one thing’s certain: the journey will linger in your heart, just like a familiar leitmotif echoing after the final screen fades.

FAQs
  • Q: Do I need separate purchases for Switch 1 and Switch 2?
    • A: No. Buy once with the same Nintendo Account and both versions are yours, except in Japan where a small fee applies.
  • Q: Will my Chapter 2 save file carry over?
    • A: Yes, as long as it resides on the same console family. Cross‑buy doesn’t automatically sync progress between Switch 1 and Switch 2, so move saves via cloud backup if needed.
  • Q: What time does Deltarune unlock on PC?
    • A: 12 AM JST on June 5, which translates to June 4, 11 AM ET / 8 AM PT.
  • Q: Is Chapter 5 included in this release?
    • A: No. Chapters 1‑4 form the current package. Chapter 5 will launch later as a separate purchase.
  • Q: Can I disable HD Rumble on Switch 2?
    • A: Absolutely. Head to the in‑game settings menu and toggle “Rumble” to “Off” for a classic, vibration‑free experience.
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