Touhou Koumakyou: New Classic — the Embodiment of Scarlet Devil launches September 10, 2026 on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Release date and platforms
The game releases September 10, 2026. No specific unlock time has been announced. You can buy it on Steam, PlayStation Store (currently wishlist-only), and Nintendo eShop for both Switch and Switch 2. No Xbox or mobile version is listed. Alliance Arts is publishing.
What is Touhou Koumakyou: New Classic?
This is a remaster of Touhou Koumakyou ~ the Embodiment of Scarlet Devil, the sixth main Touhou Project game, originally released by ZUN and Shanghai Alice in 2002. It's the game that kicked off the modern Touhou bullet hell series and introduced Reimu Hakurei's role as the central protagonist. ZUN has remained the series' sole developer for over two decades.
Alliance Arts handling publishing marks one of the first times a Touhou game has gotten formal console releases with professional publisher support — a significant shift for a series that started as doujin (indie) software.
Gameplay
You choose between two playable characters: shrine maiden Reimu Hakurei or magician Marisa Kirisame. The game is a vertical-scrolling bullet hell shoot-'em-up. You weave through dense bullet patterns across multiple stages, collecting power-ups and fighting screen-filling bosses. Each character has a different shot type and bomb, giving the game meaningful replay value.
The remaster adds:
- Upscaled high-resolution graphics — the original ran at 640×480; New Classic brings visuals up to modern display standards
- Fully rearranged soundtrack composed and arranged by ZUN himself
- Unlimited Lives mode — a new option that removes the life-count barrier for players who just want to experience the game
- Classic mode — the original 2002 difficulty, unchanged, for series veterans
Story
A thick scarlet mist has covered Gensokyo, blocking out the sun. Reimu and Marisa set out to solve the incident, which leads them to the Scarlet Devil Mansion and its occupants: the vampire sisters Remilia and Flandre Scarlet, the maid Sakuya Izayoi, librarian Patchouli Knowledge, and gatekeeper Hong Meiling. These characters — introduced here in 2002 — became some of the most iconic in the entire franchise.
Is Touhou Koumakyou: New Classic on Game Pass, PS Plus, or Nintendo Switch Online?
None of the three subscription services have been confirmed. The game is not announced for Xbox Game Pass, PS Plus, or Nintendo Switch Online.
Announcement timeline
- June 9, 2026: Announced during the Japanese Nintendo Direct with a confirmed September 10, 2026 release date