Platinum Games has made the tough decision to delay the physical release of The Wonderful 101 Remastered amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Originally slated for a late May 2020 date, unexpected delays have hit the company while producing physical copies for Kickstarter backers. Those who opted for a physical version will now have to wait until June 30 in the US and July 3 in Europe.
In an update pushed via Kickstarter, Platinum writes, "Unfortunately, due to the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic, we're expecting delays in preparing the US and EU physical versions. Backer rewards are being given the highest priority, but due to distribution issues, backers who have chosen physical versions of the game may receive it after general retail release."
The digital version is still on track for its original May 19 (US) and May 22 (Europe) dates. To make up for the delay, anyone that opted for a physical version will receive a Steam key in the meantime. This will be given in addition to your physical version to tide you over until it arrives.
"While we are working to prioritize backer rewards," Platinum writes, "please bear in mind that the state of shipping and distribution in various areas may result in some backers getting their rewards after retail release."
This may be disappointing to hear, but there really is nothing else that can be done. While users on consoles may not be able to utilize the PC version, at least Platinum is trying to compensate those that paid. The world is still reeling from the effects of COVID-19, so there's no telling when production and manufacturing will return to normal.
At least everyone at Platinum is safe and the game is still on track for its regular digital release. It would be a bigger sting if the global lockdown caused a major delay in development. Again, safety is the priority, but a title like The Wonderful 101 is a great distraction from our everyday lives. Its colorful style and charm are the exact kind of tonic we need in our lives.
Source: Kickstarter, Go Nintendo