Italian indie developer Caracal Games is taking their hoverboard adventure to more platforms sooner than many expected. Star Overdrive, which launched as a Nintendo Switch exclusive on April 10, 2025, will hit PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (via Steam) on June 19, 2025 – about 2 months and 9 days after its initial release.
Business Move: Quick Platform Expansion
The rapid shift from Switch exclusivity to a multi-platform release raises eyebrows in the gaming industry. This quick turnaround suggests either a specific exclusivity agreement with Nintendo or a strategy shift following the initial Switch release.
The game received a “7/10” score on Nintendo Life, with praise for “hoverboard traversal, intriguing narrative, and nice presentation,” as reported by Push Square. Mixed reviews from critics have highlighted various aspects of gameplay and performance.
Consumer Options: Two Price Points
Star Overdrive offers consumers two purchasing options:
- Standard Edition: $34.99 USD
- Deluxe Edition: $39.99 USD
The Deluxe Edition includes three hoverboard styles, one design, 50 dyes, the digital soundtrack, and a prequel manga created by the Caracal Games team.
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Product Details: What Buyers Get
Star Overdrive puts players in the role of Bios, stranded on alien planet Cebete after intercepting a distress signal. His mission: find his missing beloved, Nous.
The game features:
- Hoverboard traversal through distinct environments
- Keytar-based combat and puzzle-solving
- Customizable hoverboard with upgradable attributes
- Resource gathering for equipment enhancements
- Multiple biomes across approximately 170 km² (105.63 mi²)
Tommaso Bonanni, CEO of Caracal Games, described Star Overdrive as “a love letter to our childhood.”
Development Response: Addressing Feedback
Dear Villagers’ announcement notes that “the Caracal Games team is also working on integrating user feedback in future patches for the Switch version as soon as possible, and implement that feedback in the other versions as well ahead of their release.”
This approach shows the 10-person Rome-based studio actively responding to early player critiques while preparing the PlayStation, Xbox, and PC versions.
Technical Questions Remain
Push Square notes: “No footage of the game in action on PS5 has been released, but hopefully it improves upon the Switch version in terms of technical performance.”
Given the more powerful hardware of PS5 and Xbox Series X|S compared to the Switch, consumers might expect enhanced visual fidelity, faster loading times, and potentially more stable performance in the upcoming versions.
The June 19 multi-platform release will show whether Caracal Games has successfully addressed early feedback and leveraged the additional development time to refine their product for a broader gaming audience.