Bayonetta Switch physical copies will be "restocked" later this year in Europe

Bayonetta
(Image credit: Platinum Games)

Nintendo has apologized to European Bayonetta fans for not "meeting demand" for the physical edition of the first Bayonetta game.

You may remember that Bayonetta's first Switch physical edition on Nintendo Switch was delayed in Europe. Although it was released as planned in most regions of the world, including the States, players in Europe and the UK discovered on release day that it would be delayed until "the first half of October".

Nintendo did not explain why the game had been delayed nor offered up any compensation for frustrated fans on this side of the pond at the time, but when it did finally become available on Nintendo's online stores earlier this week, it sold out almost instantly, much to many fans' frustration.

"We apologize that we could not meet demand for the physical edition of the first Bayonetta game recently," Nintendo UK stated, inviting fans to register their interest to be in with a chance of securing a copy when stock returns. 

"We will restock the physical edition of the first Bayonetta game once more later this year, on My Nintendo Store."

Fans in the US don't have to worry, however; the physical edition of the first Bayonetta is currently still available on the US website.

Long-serving Bayonetta voice actor Hellena Taylor was alleged offered an "insulting" $4,000 to reprise her role in the upcoming Bayonetta 3, encouraging fans to boycott the game, and prompting an industry-wide conversation around the standards of pay. 

While Platinum Games had initially put Taylor’s absence from the game to “various overlapping circumstances”, the actor stated on Twitter that it was very much about pay. Jennifer Hale, the voice actor replacing Hellena Taylor in the title role for Bayonetta 3, issued a brief statement on the ongoing voice acting pay controversy, forcing Platinum to ask that players be respectful to both actors.

We gave the latest installment 3.5 stars out of 5 in our Bayonetta 3 review, saying:

"When taking charge of the action, Bayonetta is more fun to rip and tear with here than ever before, with some smart evolutions in how her role as a summoner can add to her combat without taking anything meaningful away. 

"But some of the same issues that plagued its predecessors are just as present here as well, if not more-so – just get out of Bayonetta's way, and let her do what she does best (which might not be very nice, but sure can be hella fun)."

Head over to our upcoming Switch games guide for a full look at all the other games on the slate for Nintendo's console throughout the rest of this year. 

Vikki Blake
Weekend Reporter, 12DOVE

Vikki Blake is 12DOVE's Weekend Reporter. Vikki works tirelessly to ensure that you have something to read on the days of the week beginning with 'S', and can also be found contributing to outlets including the BBC, Eurogamer, and GameIndustry.biz. Vikki also runs a weekly games column at NME, and can be frequently found talking about Destiny 2 and Silent Hill on Twitter.