Sunshine Shuffle, narrative poker adventure, incoming for Switch

Original (5/2): Sunshine Shuffle has been confirmed for Switch, and the wait for the game won’t be too long. Strange Scaffold revealed today that the title launches on May 24, 2023.

Sunshine Shuffle is a narrative poker adventure experience “about loss, family, and armed robbery that unfolds between high-stakes hands of Texas Hold ‘Em.”

Here’s an official overview:

The latest game from Strange Scaffold (An Airport for Aliens Currently Run by Dogs, Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator, Hypnospace Outlaw) tells an engaging story about loss, family, and armed robbery that unfolds between high-stakes hands of Texas Hold ‘Em. Also: all the characters are cartoon animals.

Sunshine Shuffle is a crime drama by way of poker sim, featuring a cast of deceptively cute critters. As you bluff, call, and raise your way to the top, you’ll engage your opponents in guarded banter and learn their peculiarities. What exactly happened at that bank heist 12 years ago? Why are your mob employers so keen on revisiting what seems like yesterday’s news? Does talk therapy work? And is there really an interesting story behind Captain Fidelius’ missing eye? It’s a seedy tale told with equal parts intrigue and empathy.

Play well, and you can do your part to make the S.S. Sunshine your own. Spruce up the place with new decorations and props. Bop along to an all-new ska soundtrack from legendary musician JER (Skatune Network, We Are the Union), with additional tracks from acclaimed composer RJ Lake (Unbeatable, Space Warlord Organ Trading Simulator) Go wild and dress everyone up in unlockable outfits. This mystery isn’t going to solve itself, so you may as well make yourself comfortable.

Get a look at a trailer for the game below.

Sunshine Shuffle will be sold digitally on the Switch eShop. Pricing is set at $9.99.

Update (5/24): Sunshine Shuffle has launched on Switch in Europe as planned, but not in North America. The game’s creator says there’s been some confusion on Nintendo’s end following a social media campaign about the game not teaching children to gamble. Nintendo now apparently thinks the game is about child gambling, which isn’t the case.

You can find more information in the Twitter thread below. We’ll also keep you updated about the North American launch if there’s any new developments.

Update (5/25): Strange Scaffold has confirmed the North American launch is planned for May 31, 2023.