Bayonetta
Genre(s)
Developer(s)PlatinumGames
Publisher(s)
Creator(s)Hideki Kamiya
Platform(s)
First releaseBayonetta
October 29, 2009
Latest releaseBayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon
March 17, 2023

Bayonetta (Japanese: ベヨネッタ, Hepburn: Beyonetta) is a series of hack and slash action-adventure games created by Hideki Kamiya, developed by PlatinumGames, and owned by Sega. The franchise was introduced in 2009 with Bayonetta. Two sequels were released, Bayonetta 2 (2014) and Bayonetta 3 (2022), as well as a spinoff, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon (2023). In the games, players control a witch nicknamed Bayonetta as she wields dual pistols, shooters in her high heels, and long, magically transforming hair which becomes a deadly weapon.

Games

Release timeline
2009Bayonetta
2010–2013
2014Bayonetta 2
2015–2021
2022Bayonetta 3
2023Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon

Bayonetta (2009)

Main article: Bayonetta (video game)

The first game in the series was directed by Hideki Kamiya, who created the Devil May Cry franchise when he was working at Capcom. It was the third title in Platinum's four-game contract with Sega. The game was released on October 29, 2009, in Japan,[1] and was released worldwide in January 2010 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The game received generally positive reviews upon release.[2] More than 1.35 million units of the game were shipped.[3] Although it was Platinum's most commercially successful game at that time, the company was disappointed with its sales.[4] A 4K remastered version for the game featuring, anti-aliasing, anisotropic filtering, SSAO lighting, scalable texture and shadow quality, and more. was released on PC in April 2017.[5] An HD remastered version for the game was released on Nintendo Switch in 2018,[6] and was bundled alongside Vanquish for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in February 2020.[7]

Bayonetta 2 (2014)

Main article: Bayonetta 2

Bayonetta 2 was announced in 2012 during a Nintendo Direct for the Wii U. The decision received backlash from fans, since the game would not be available on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.[8] Platinum was initially working with Sega to create the sequel, but Sega decided to cancel the game during the game's development. Nintendo subsequently revived the project. According to producer Atsushi Inaba, the game would not have been possible if they did not get the funding and the support from Nintendo. Sega remained as the game's consultant.[9][10] The game was directed by Yusuke Hashimoto, and Kamiya has a supervision role.[11] The game was released in 2014 to very positive reviews. While sales for the Wii U version have not been fully disclosed, by March 2018, Nintendo confirmed the Switch version had sold 400,000 copies during its first nine weeks, compared to the 300,000 copies the Wii U version sold during the same period. As of December 2021, the Switch version has sold 1.04 million copies worldwide.[12]

Bayonetta 3 (2022)

Main article: Bayonetta 3

A third game in the series was announced by Nintendo at The Game Awards 2017. A gameplay trailer was shown at the September Nintendo Direct 2021. It was released for the Nintendo Switch on October 28, 2022, and opened with positive reviews from both critics and fans.[13] The game went on to win Best Action Game at the Game Awards 2022.[14] The game also features a playable teaser for Cereza and the Lost Demon as a secret level and unlocks a special skin once found.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon (2023)

Main article: Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon

A prequel companion game to Bayonetta 3, focusing on Cereza as a young girl, was announced by Nintendo at The Game Awards 2022. It was released on Nintendo Switch on March 17, 2023.[15]

Other media

An anime film based on the first game, titled Bayonetta: Bloody Fate, was produced by Gonzo and released in 2013.[16]

Bayonetta appears as a downloadable character in Sega's multiplayer fighting game Anarchy Reigns, and as a special guest character alongside Jeanne and Rodin in Nintendo's action game The Wonderful 101.[17][18] She also appears as a downloadable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, and as an unlockable character in the sequel Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Both games also feature a stage based on the falling Umbra Clock Tower which appeared in both Bayonetta games. Rodin was also added as an Assist Trophy in Ultimate.[19][20][21]

The original Bayonetta was also used as a basis for a Pachislot and an 16-bit-style browser game.

Reception

Aggregate review scores
Game Year Metacritic
Bayonetta 2009 PS3: 87/100[22]
X360: 90/100[23]
WIIU: 86/100[24]
PC: 90/100[25]
NS: 84/100[26]
PS4: 81/100[27]
Bayonetta 2 2014 WIIU: 91/100[28]
NS: 92/100[29]
Bayonetta 3 2022 NS: 86/100[30]
Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon 2023 NS: 81/100[31]
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (November 2021)

Bayonetta, Bayonetta 2 and Bayonetta 3 all received generally positive reviews from critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic. Bayonetta 2 was nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2014, though it ultimately lost to Dragon Age: Inquisition.[32]

References

  1. ^ Hashimoto, Yusuke (November 6, 2009). "Bayonetta Released in Japan". PlatinumGames. Archived from the original on January 19, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
  2. ^ Staton, Rich (February 7, 2016). "A brief history of one of gaming's greatest studios". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on May 1, 2016. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  3. ^ Graft, Kris (May 14, 2010). "Sega Sammy Post Profits As Bayonetta Ships 1.35 Million". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on September 24, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  4. ^ Matulef, Jeffery (April 17, 2013). "Platinum Games president rates its sales as a "C or even a D."". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  5. ^ "Bayonetta on Steam". store.steampowered.com. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  6. ^ "Bayonetta™ for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Official Site". www.nintendo.com. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  7. ^ Kurchea, Ben (February 19, 2020). "Bayonetta and Vanquish get classy, bare-bones 4K updates in new collection". Polygon. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  8. ^ Good, Owen (September 21, 2012). "Actually, It is Kinda B.S. That Bayonetta 2 is a Wii U Exclusive". Kotaku. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  9. ^ McWhertor, Michael (September 22, 2012). "'Bayonetta 2' would not exist without Nintendo, says Platinum Games". Polygon. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  10. ^ Reilly, Jim (September 14, 2012). "Sega Consulting On Bayonetta 2". Game Informer. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  11. ^ Fogel, Stefanie (February 15, 2019). "'Bayonetta 2' Director Leaves Platinum Games After 13 Years". Variety. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  12. ^ "The Switch Port Of Bayonetta 2 Has Outsold Its Sister Version On Wii U". Nintendo Life. April 27, 2018.
  13. ^ Wales, Matt (December 8, 2017). "Bayonetta 3 is coming exclusively to Switch". Eurogamer. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  14. ^ Romano, Sal (July 13, 2022). "Bayonetta 3 launches October 28". Gematsu. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  15. ^ Doolan, Liam (9 December 2022). "Bayonetta Origins Announced Exclusively For Switch, Coming March 2023". NintendoLife.com. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  16. ^ "Bayonetta: Bloody Fate Anime Film's Full Trailer Posted". Anime News Network. 2013-10-23. Retrieved 2013-11-08.
  17. ^ Spencer (April 9, 2013). "Now, Everyone Can Play As Bayonetta In Anarchy Reigns". Siliconera. Archived from the original on October 23, 2014.
  18. ^ McMinn, Kevin (September 1, 2013). "Three Secret Bayonetta Characters Confirmed For The Wonderful 101". Nintendo News. Archived from the original on September 12, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  19. ^ "Final New Smash Bros Character Will Be Bayonetta". Archived from the original on 2016-04-04. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
  20. ^ Green, Jake (October 12, 2018). "Bayonetta Super Smash Bros Ultimate Guide - Unlock, Moves, Changes, Bayonetta Alternate Costumes, Final Smash". USgamer. Archived from the original on November 5, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  21. ^ "Rodin's open for business as a Smash Ultimate Assist Trophy". Nintendo Wire. 2018-08-03. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  22. ^ "Bayonetta for PlayStation 3 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 3, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  23. ^ "Bayonetta for Xbox 360 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on November 9, 2009. Retrieved April 25, 2019.
  24. ^ "Bayonetta for Wii U Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on September 27, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  25. ^ "Bayonetta for PC Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved April 13, 2017.
  26. ^ "Bayonetta for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on February 14, 2018. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
  27. ^ "Bayonetta for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 13, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  28. ^ "Bayonetta 2 for Wii U Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  29. ^ "Bayonetta 2 for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  30. ^ "Bayonetta 3 for Switch". Metacritic. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
  31. ^ "Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon". Metacritic. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
  32. ^ Sarkar, Samit (December 5, 2014). "Here are the winners of The Game Awards 2014". Polygon. Archived from the original on March 18, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
Categories