Image: PlatinumGames, Nintendo
Bayonetta 3 won’t be out until next week, but it looks like it’s already in the hands of some Switch owners. According to a number of reports, new spoiler-filled footage of the game is now being uploaded to websites like YouTube, Twitter and Reddit.
The Bayonetta subreddit has warned users about the spread of spoilers online, but allows them to be shared in a dedicated thread:
“Copies of the game are apparently circulating now… It’s going to be dealt with pretty hard here. We’ve been waiting for this game for a very long time. Don’t ruin it for others.”
Users on websites like the Famiboards have also seen “legitimate footage” of the third game online:
“As expected, leaked/street date-broken copies are now circulating, and so are very legit footage of the game itself on YouTube. So, if you don’t care about being spoiled for gameplay/story details…do it!”
Fortunately, sites like YouTube seem to be taking action (post via Twitter):
@jahranimo_ “Bayonetta 3 leaks were removed by Nintendo on that one YT channel. They may have uploaded four videos until the end of Chapter 1? I haven’t watched any of the fourth. Anyway, the new battle theme, we’ll hear It will be in the reviews next Tuesday. Can’t wait.”
This isn’t the first time an expected Switch exclusive has been leaked ahead of launch, and it probably won’t be the last. It’s happened to all kinds of Switch games before, from Paper Mario to Metroid Dread, and even the major Pokémon games.
The latest Bayonetta news follows a story from last weekend when Bayonetta’s original voice accused the series’ developer of an abusive wage offer. She was apparently offered more, according to a separate report, and Platinum released an official statement yesterday. By the way, preloads for Bayonetta 3 have also gone live on Nintendo Switch.
So if you’re planning to play Bayonetta 3 when it launches on October 28, you may need to be careful when browsing social media or YouTube.