On August 29, Nintendo will surprise fans with the release of one of its most unexpected games in decades: Emio — The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club. This unlikely revival of a visual novel series, dormant since its last NES entry in 1989, takes a dark turn. In a departure from Nintendo’s usual fare, this M-rated game centers around a masked serial killer, making it one of the most daring and mature titles to come from the company in 2024.
Nintendo is widely known for its kid-friendly image today, but that wasn’t always the case. Over its long history, Nintendo has occasionally ventured into darker, more mature projects. A prime example is the GameCube’s Eternal Darkness: Sanity’s Requiem, a chilling horror game that Nintendo published, showcasing a willingness to explore new genres. Emio is a nod to this past, reviving an old series while also harkening back to a time when Nintendo was more experimental with its audience.
Nintendo isn’t diving into the realm of extreme violence anytime soon. After playing through the prologue and first two chapters of Emio, it’s clear that the game is far less intense than its M-rating might suggest—aside from the occasional curse word. However, the experience is already captivating, offering a creepy killer storyline and detective gameplay with a nostalgic, old-school vibe. It’s not the kind of game people typically associate with Nintendo, but it’s a welcome addition to their lineup.
From Mario to Emio
In “Emio — The Smiling Man,” a visual novel with point-and-click gameplay elements, players continue the story of the Utsugi Detective Agency as it investigates a chilling murder. When a teenager is found dead, the characters warn of a grisly scene, prompting players to brace for disturbing visuals. However, the reveal is surprisingly understated: the killer has placed a paper bag with a drawn-on smile over the victim’s head. While unsettling, this imagery is far from the shocking visuals one might expect.
The horror elements in the early chapters of Emio are relatively mild, with minimal explicit imagery. While the story does mention a strangulation and includes a chilling scene that hints at the mysterious killer, the overall tone remains subdued. So far, the game’s M rating seems more linked to mature language than to graphic content. Although I don’t anticipate any nightmare-inducing violence typical of a modern Nintendo game, I’m hoping that the later chapters will ramp up the intensity a bit more to fully capture its dark, sinister atmosphere.
I initially picked up Emio because of its unexpectedly high rating, but I’m staying for the gripping mystery that’s unfolding. So far, I’ve discovered that the murder at the heart of the story is linked to a series of killings from 18 years ago, as well as an eerie urban legend about a figure known as the “Smiling Man” who wears a bag over his head. The first few chapters lay the groundwork for a slow-burn mystery, and I’m already hooked. By Chapter 2, the list of suspects begins to grow as I’m introduced to a cast of suspicious students and teachers. I’m already keeping mental notes—always a good sign of a well-crafted mystery.
Emio immerses players in the role of a detective not just through its writing but also by offering a range of interactive tools. A sidebar brimming with options allows players to actively engage with each scene. Beyond questioning characters, players can explore the environment by clicking on the screen to uncover clues, make phone calls, pause to gather their thoughts, and consult a journal that tracks every character they encounter. These features make the experience more dynamic than a typical visual novel, providing more than just dialogue choices and fostering a deeper sense of involvement.
Despite not breaking new ground in its genre, Emio has a classic charm that I find appealing. Its straightforward UI and light music tracks evoke the feel of NES-era games, even with its modern illustrations. This nostalgic atmosphere extends to the story, which is set in a similar time period. The moment I was handed a clunky brick cellphone, the old-school vibe felt perfectly in place.
While I have a few quality-of-life gripes—like the surprising lack of touch controls—there aren’t any major drawbacks so far. Nintendo seems to be delivering a straightforward serial killer mystery with just enough interactivity to keep me engaged. The game’s success will hinge on how well it delivers on its eerie premise. I just hope it nails the ending, because if it doesn’t, Nintendo might abandon this M-rated experiment for good.
Emio — The Smiling Man: Famicom Detective Club is set to launch on the Nintendo Switch on August 29. Currently, two demos are available for download on the Nintendo Switch eShop, with a third demo slated to release on August 27.