The Merlies Announced for Nintendo Switch, Releasing in September 2026

Publisher Arte France and Darjeeling Productions, alongside co-developer Blue Ramen Studio and co-publisher GCores Publis, have announced The Merlies for the Nintendo Switch. The game is scheduled to launch digitally via the Nintendo eShop on September 29, 2026.

The Merlies is described as a combat-free Metroidvania game where players control a tiny flock of birds scattered by a massive storm. Players explore a colorful, charming 2D universe, unlocking hidden passages as their squad grows and learns new skills. Because there are no combat foes, the challenges come from the environment itself, including natural obstacles such as thorns, rocks, and trees in a wild, bucolic maze.

Set in a post-apocalyptic world where human civilization is gone and nature is healing, the game embraces a solarpunk aesthetic focused on cooperation, solidarity, and a hopeful future. Players collect human scraps and junk to recycle and upcycle into wacky constructions, decorating and expanding a cozy village for their bird community. Everyday items like lamps, slate maps, and ice cube trays are repurposed into oversized homes and storage rooms.

Visually inspired by graphic novels and children's image books, the adventure features biomes where the tiny birds climb electric cables, scale fallen billboards, and launch themselves off mushrooms. The title emphasizes exploration, community spirit, and a clever use of discovered resources to bring comfort and happiness to the tribe.