Board-Card Classic Culdcept The First Launches on Switch, PS5, and Xbox
City Connection has released Culdcept The First today, July 30, 2026, bringing the classic board game and card game hybrid to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC platforms. Originally developed by Omiya Soft and released for the Sega Saturn in 1997, this restored version serves as the entry point to the beloved Culdcept series. The title has been rebuilt using City Connection’s Zebra Engine, which the publisher describes as adding modern accessibility to classic gaming experiences. This release arrives just two weeks after the series’ first new installment in a decade, which launched on July 16, 2026, allowing fans to experience both the latest entry and the original side by side.
Players take on the role of Septers, card masters who build 50-card decks called books from a pool of over 300 card types. Movement across the board is determined by dice rolls, and landing on a space allows players to summon creatures, claiming territory as their own. When landing on an opponent’s land, players must pay magic tolls or challenge the resident creature in battle to seize control. Spell cards add strategic depth by enabling dice manipulation, creature support, or rival disruption. Victory is achieved by collecting enough magic energy and returning to the starting castle. After each match, players receive random cards based on ranking, encouraging collection and deck refinement.
The restoration introduces several modern conveniences. A Rewind function allows players to undo the game state back to the last checkpoint such as a fortress or castle. Quick Save and Load can be used at any time independent of the main save system. A Bonus Pack option increases reward cards received after matches, configurable via settings. Additionally, a Hand Display feature now shows both the player’s and opponents’ hands on screen at all times, whereas the original only permitted hand checks at specific moments. The display size dynamically adjusts based on the screen layout, making strategic planning more accessible throughout each session.
The limited physical edition includes a B5-sized pixel art book spanning over 100 pages featuring all 180 creature types with animated sprite showcases, plus a two-disc soundtrack CD featuring original compositions by Yuzo Koshiro and Tsuyoshi Yanagawa, accompanied by a digital download card. The standard physical edition is priced at 4,950 yen (~$35 / ¥240), while the limited edition retails for 8,800 yen (~$60 / ¥425). A giveaway campaign runs from July 30 to August 13 offering five winners a B2 poster, though delivery is limited to Japan. An official livestream featuring director Riki Kobayashi and other staff is scheduled for 21:00 JST on release day. The game supports 1-4 players via local multiplayer only with no online functionality and carries a CERO C (15+) rating. For fans of strategic board games, this faithful yet polished reissue of a cult classic is well worth a look.
