During GDC 2025, we had a chance to catch up with Mastiff, the publisher behind Tunnels, which is available now on Meta platforms. While checking out the studio’s latest VR outing, we also asked about one of their more nostalgic projects: Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure.
According to Mastiff, they would love to bring Gurumin to Nintendo Switch. However, the publisher noted that such a port would require clear support from the community to justify development. The interaction seemed genuine, and the publisher wasn’t shy about sharing their interest in porting Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure to more platforms, even though we were there to see a different game.
A Cult Favorite That’s Still Looking for a Wider Audience
Originally developed by Nihon Falcom, Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure debuted on PC in 2004 before making its way to PlayStation Portable and later the Nintendo 3DS. Mastiff was responsible for handling the North American release, while 505 Game Street oversaw the title’s European distribution. These days, the most accessible version is available on PC via Steam and GOG.
Porting the title to Nintendo Switch would mark its first appearance on a modern console since the 3DS release, potentially putting it in front of a new generation of players. Still, Mastiff emphasized that fan interest will play a key role in making that happen.
What Is Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure?
Falcom, known primarily for the Ys and Trails franchises, took a lighter tone with Gurumin. The action RPG stars a young girl named Parin who moves in with her grandfather while her parents are away. After discovering a hidden world filled with friendly monsters, Parin takes up a legendary drill to help fend off evil creatures called Phantoms.
While less prominent than Falcom’s flagship series, Gurumin has developed a quiet following over the years thanks to its charming presentation, upbeat pacing, and a memorable soundtrack that stands out in the studio’s discography. It remains one of the developer’s more overlooked works, but one that fans continue to celebrate.
In 2023, fan group Resonant Union released a tribute arrangement album for Gurumin, featuring contributions from one of the original composers.
Currently, Gurumin: A Monstrous Adventure is available on Nintendo 3DS and PC via Steam and GOG.
How do you feel about Gurumin potentially making its way to Switch? Let us know in the comments and stay tuned to Noisy Pixel for more coverage.
