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Little Nightmares III Release Date Gameplay Editions and Key Details
Little Nightmares III: 2025 Release, Gameplay Reveal, and Everything You Need to Know
Atmospheric horror thrives in the Little Nightmares franchise, and the long-awaited third chapter is almost ready for release. After nearly two years of anticipation since its Gamescom 2023 tease, Bandai Namco and new developers Supermassive Games have announced that Little Nightmares III will arrive on October 10, 2025. The title will launch across a wide array of platforms, including Steam and Epic Games Store for PC, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and both the current and next-generation Nintendo Switch—the latter debuting as the Switch 2.
Why Did Little Nightmares III Get Delayed?
Originally slated for 2024, the game was pushed to 2025 after Supermassive Games received feedback from early play-testers pointing to issues with the new online co-op mode. Rather than rush the launch and then patch fixes post-release, Bandai Namco chose to grant the team more time. This patient approach reflects a broader gaming industry trend: recent high-profile horror projects such as the Silent Hill 2 Remake and Alan Wake II have also seen extended development cycles, favoring quality over speed.
The delay also let the team transition to Unreal Engine 5.4. This technical upgrade enables ray-traced lighting on modern hardware while maintaining performance for last-gen systems. PC players will benefit from advanced graphics upscaling options like DLSS 3, FSR 3, and XeSS 1.4.
Release Platforms and Performance Breakdown
Here’s a quick overview of what players can expect across platforms:
| Platform | Native Version | Frame Rate Target | Notable Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS5 / Xbox Series X | S | Yes | 60 fps | Full graphic fidelity with ray tracing |
| PS4 / Xbox One | Yes | 30 fps | Cross-play supported via Supermassive’s dedicated servers | |
| PC | Yes | Uncapped | Supports DLSS 3, FSR 3, and XeSS 1.4 | |
| Nintendo Switch (2017) | Yes | 30 fps | Dynamic resolution, no ray tracing | |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Yes | 60 fps | Ships on Game-Key Card (cartridge with download code) |
For those looking to pre-order, digital pre-sales on all major storefronts are now open, and you can visit the official Little Nightmares III Steam page for updates and community discussions.
Setting, Story, and Returning Nightmares
Supermassive’s campaign takes players through “The Spiral”—five interconnected realms that blend haunting visuals, platforming, and environmental storytelling. The game reintroduces the dark, childlike perspective that Little Nightmares is famous for, this time via two new characters:
- Low: a raincoat-wearing archer whose abilities focus on stealth and ranged attacks.
- Alone: wields a flashlight and specializes in tinkering and puzzle-solving.
The five areas comprising The Spiral include:
- Necropolis: Catacombs and sand-swept streets, where moving sarcophagi become elevators.
- Wonderpark: A carnival setting featuring animatronic jesters and a towering Ferris-wheel boss encounter.
- Sugarworks: A deadly candy factory that turns molten taffy vats into dangerous platforming hazards.
- The Doldrums: Flooded, decrepit tenements surveilled by a creeping schoolmistress.
- The Maw’s Echo: An eerie nod to the cruise liner of the first game, tying the trilogy’s arc together.
The plot remains sparse in dialogue but rich in visual clues, collectibles, and the lingering presence of fan-favorite character Six.
New Gameplay Innovations
- Online Co-op & Drop-In/Drop-Out: Play solo or with a friend online—both players’ progress is saved.
- Adaptive AI Companion: For solo players, a sophisticated AI companion adjusts to your play style and helps solve puzzles independently.
- Reactive, Replayable Puzzles: Some puzzles randomize or evolve on repeated attempts, giving speedrunners and theorists plenty to explore.
- Fracture Events: Real-time changes shake up the levels, forcing players to find new routes and adapt on the fly.
Solo and cooperative play are both core to the experience, and the game has taken clear lessons from Supermassive’s previous releases like The Quarry, ensuring companion AI feels more responsive and less scripted.
Editions and Pre-Order Bonuses
There are multiple ways to buy Little Nightmares III, catering to collectors and digital-only fans alike:
- Standard Edition: Base game and early “Scout’s Patch” cosmetic set.
- Digital Deluxe: Includes future story DLC episodes, a digital art book, and an in-game soundtrack app.
- Collector “Mirror” Edition: Features a resin diorama, a physical art book, metal bookmark, and a cloth map.
- Spiral Edition (Premium): Contains everything in the Collector’s Edition, plus a limited-edition vinyl soundtrack, LED-lit display case, exclusive hoodie, and a replica ferryman lantern.
- Early Access Bonus: Get three days of early access plus the remastered Little Nightmares Enhanced Edition on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC.
Expanding the Little Nightmares Universe
Bandai Namco is building out a whole franchise universe, with these projects launching alongside or soon after the game:
- The Sounds of Nightmares Podcast: Season two launches in August 2025, expanding the world via long-form audio storytelling.
- Titan Comics’ Descent to Nowhere: A six-issue comic series bridging the gap between Little Nightmares II and III.
- YA Novel The Lonely Ones by E.C. Myers: Releases September 2025, delving further into The Spiral from a fresh perspective.
- VR Offshoot Altered Echoes: A standalone VR experience developed for PS VR2 and other leading headsets.
- Stop-Motion Anthology: In partnership with Guillermo del Toro’s cinematic workshop, a series of shorts will premiere on YouTube this October.
On social media, Bandai Namco has kept fans engaged with teaser artwork, behind-the-scenes interviews, and Halloween-themed contests, while the official X (formerly Twitter) account is the best place for up-to-the-minute news and announcements.
Key Dates and Community Events
- July 2: Bandai Namco Summer Showcase will feature the first extended gameplay trailer and a live developer Q&A.
- August 2025: Network test focusing on fine-tuning online co-op experience.
- September 2025: Major previews, final hands-on impressions, and the novel’s release.
- October 10, 2025: The game launches worldwide, with cross-play enabled across multiple platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Little Nightmares III release?
- The official release date is October 10, 2025. Previously expected in 2024, extra development time ensures a polished horror experience.
Is there an official trailer?
- Yes, multiple trailers have been shown, introducing the game’s unsettling new environments and protagonists. Keep an eye on the upcoming Bandai Namco Showcase for new footage.
Will there be a demo?
- No demo has been announced yet, but one could arrive closer to launch, possibly after the public network test.
How much will the game cost?
- Pricing details haven’t been finalized; historically, Little Nightmares titles have launched at mid-tier prices.
Will there be pre-order bonuses?
- Yes, expect exclusive cosmetic content and early access for certain editions when pre-orders go live.
Community Engagement and Feedback
Supermassive and Bandai Namco have closely involved the community during the delay, taking feedback from closed beta testers to improve co-op mechanics and dual-protagonist gameplay. Fan art, story theories, speedruns, and even new puzzle suggestions have featured in the Community Spotlight program. Official forums and the Bandai Namco Discord server are active hubs where players’ voices continue to shape development.
For the most current updates, trailers, and content drops, follow Bandai Namco’s official X account and subscribe to the Little Nightmares YouTube channel. For more on atmospheric adventure games from the same publisher, check out games like Shadow Labyrinth and Split Fiction, or explore the developer’s previous work like Moonlighter 2 for a taste of their evolving design philosophy.
Little Nightmares III is shaping up to be the series’ boldest entry, embracing cooperative play while preserving the haunting atmosphere that made its predecessors cult favorites. With its global launch looming and community excitement building, mark your calendars and brace yourselves for a new journey into childhood fears come to life.
