This article is about the video game series. For the first game in the series, see Bayonetta (video game). For the eponymous character, see Bayonetta (character).
Bayonetta
Genre
DeveloperPlatinumGames
Publisher
CreatorHideki Kamiya
Platforms
First release versionBayonetta
First release dateOctober 29, 2009
Latest release versionBayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon
Latest release dateMarch 17, 2023

Bayonetta (ベヨネッタ, Beyonetta) is an urban fantasy action-adventure game franchise created by Hideki Kamiya. It is developed by PlatinumGames, owned by Sega, and, since the release of Bayonetta 2 in 2014, published by Nintendo. The franchise was introduced in 2009 with Bayonetta, which was followed by two sequels, Bayonetta 2 (2014) and Bayonetta 3 (2022), as well as a prequel, Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon (2023). The games follow the titular character, a witch who wields dual pistols, shooters in her high heels, and long, magically transforming hair which becomes a supernatural weapon. The series has been met with strong critical reception, is considered PlatinumGames' flagship series, and is one of Sega's most well-known franchises.

Video games

Bayonetta (2009)

Main article: Bayonetta (video game)

The first game in the series was directed by Hideki Kamiya, who created the Devil May Cry and was involved with the Ōkami franchise while he was working with Capcom. It was the third title in Platinum's four-game contract with Sega. The game was released on October 29, 2009, in Japan,[1] and was released worldwide in January 2010 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The game received generally positive reviews upon release.[2] More than 1.35 million units of the game were shipped.[3] Although it was Platinum's most commercially successful game at that time, the company was disappointed with its sales.[4] A 4K remastered version of the game featuring anti-aliasing, anisotropic filtering, SSAO lighting, scalable texture and shadow quality, and more was released on PC in April 2017.[5] The game was ported to Nintendo Switch in 2018,[6] and was bundled alongside Vanquish for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in February 2020.[7]

Bayonetta 2 (2014)

Main article: Bayonetta 2

Bayonetta 2 was announced in 2012 during a Nintendo Direct for the Wii U. The decision received backlash from fans, since the game would not be available on other platforms.[8] Platinum was initially working with Sega to create the sequel, but Sega decided to cancel the game during the game's development. Nintendo subsequently revived the project. According to producer Atsushi Inaba, the game would not have been possible if they did not get the funding and the support from Nintendo. Sega remained as the game's consultant.[9][10] The game was directed by Yusuke Hashimoto, and Kamiya has a supervision role.[11] The game was released in 2014 to very positive reviews. While sales for the Wii U version have not been fully disclosed, by March 2018, Nintendo confirmed the Switch version had sold 400,000 copies during its first nine weeks, compared to the 300,000 copies the Wii U version sold during the same period. As of December 2021, the Switch version has sold 1.04 million copies worldwide.[12]

Bayonetta 3 (2022)

Main article: Bayonetta 3

A third game in the series was announced by Nintendo at The Game Awards 2017. A gameplay trailer was shown at the September Nintendo Direct 2021. It was released for the Nintendo Switch on October 28, 2022, and opened with positive reviews from both critics and fans.[13] The game went on to win Best Action Game at the Game Awards 2022.[14] The game also features a playable teaser for Cereza and the Lost Demon as a secret level and unlocks a special skin once found.

Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon (2023)

Main article: Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon

A prequel companion game to Bayonetta 3, focusing on Cereza as a young girl, was announced by Nintendo at The Game Awards 2022. It was released on Nintendo Switch on March 17, 2023.[15]

Other video games

Bayonetta appears as a downloadable character in Sega's multiplayer fighting game Anarchy Reigns, and as a special guest character alongside Jeanne and Rodin in Nintendo's action game The Wonderful 101.[16][17] She also appears as a downloadable character in Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, and as an unlockable character in the sequel Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Both games also feature a stage based on the falling Umbra Clock Tower which appeared in both Bayonetta games. Rodin was also added as an Assist Trophy in Ultimate.[18][19][20]

An action/shooter 16-bit-style browser game called "8-Bit Bayonetta" was released on February 16, 2015, and later on Steam on March 31, 2017.[21]

Other media

An anime film based on the first game, titled Bayonetta: Bloody Fate, was produced by Gonzo and released in 2013 in workings with Sega.[22]

In 2014, Udon Entertainment released a book titled The Eyes of Bayonetta, which included a list of her abilities.

Reception

Bayonetta, Bayonetta 2, and Bayonetta 3 each received generally positive reviews from critics according to review aggregator Metacritic. Bayonetta 2 was nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards 2014, though it ultimately lost to Dragon Age: Inquisition.[23]

References

  1. ^ Hashimoto, Yusuke (November 6, 2009). "Bayonetta Released in Japan". PlatinumGames. Archived from the original on January 19, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2009.
  2. ^ Staton, Rich (February 7, 2016). "A brief history of one of gaming's greatest studios". Eurogamer. Archived May 1, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 1, 2016.
  3. ^ Graft, Kris (May 14, 2010). "Sega Sammy Post Profits As Bayonetta Ships 1.35 Million". Gamasutra. Archived from the original on September 24, 2016. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  4. ^ Matulef, Jeffery (April 17, 2013). "Platinum Games president rates its sales as a "C or even a D."". Eurogamer. Archived March 3, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  5. ^ "Bayonetta on Steam". store.steampowered.com. Archived 2023-08-03 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  6. ^ "Bayonetta™ for Nintendo Switch - Nintendo Official Site". www.nintendo.com. Archived 2024-08-17 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-08-12.
  7. ^ Kurchea, Ben (February 19, 2020). "Bayonetta and Vanquish get classy, bare-bones 4K updates in new collection". Polygon. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  8. ^ Good, Owen (September 21, 2012). "Actually, It is Kinda B.S. That Bayonetta 2 is a Wii U Exclusive". Kotaku. Archived September 22, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  9. ^ McWhertor, Michael (September 22, 2012). "'Bayonetta 2' would not exist without Nintendo, says Platinum Games". Polygon. Archived March 3, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  10. ^ Reilly, Jim (September 14, 2012). "Sega Consulting On Bayonetta 2". Game Informer. Archived September 24, 2015 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
  11. ^ Fogel, Stefanie (February 15, 2019). "'Bayonetta 2' Director Leaves Platinum Games After 13 Years". Variety. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  12. ^ "The Switch Port Of Bayonetta 2 Has Outsold Its Sister Version On Wii U". Nintendo Life. April 27, 2018. Archived November 12, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  13. ^ Wales, Matt (December 8, 2017). "Bayonetta 3 is coming exclusively to Switch". Eurogamer. Archived November 28, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  14. ^ Romano, Sal (July 13, 2022). "Bayonetta 3 launches October 28". Gematsu. Archived July 13, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
  15. ^ Doolan, Liam (9 December 2022). "Bayonetta Origins Announced Exclusively For Switch, Coming March 2023". NintendoLife.com. Archived 17 August 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  16. ^ Spencer (April 9, 2013). "Now, Everyone Can Play As Bayonetta In Anarchy Reigns". Siliconera. Archived October 23, 2014 at the Wayback Machine.
  17. ^ McMinn, Kevin (September 1, 2013). "Three Secret Bayonetta Characters Confirmed For The Wonderful 101". Nintendo News. Archived from the original on September 12, 2014. Retrieved August 21, 2020.
  18. ^ "Final New Smash Bros Character Will Be Bayonetta". GameSpot. Archived 2016-04-04 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-08-21.
  19. ^ Green, Jake (October 12, 2018). "Bayonetta Super Smash Bros Ultimate Guide - Unlock, Moves, Changes, Bayonetta Alternate Costumes, Final Smash". USgamer. Archived from the original on November 5, 2021. Retrieved August 20, 2020.
  20. ^ "Rodin's open for business as a Smash Ultimate Assist Trophy". Nintendo Wire. 2018-08-03. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  21. ^ Crimmins, Brian. "8-bit Bayonetta". Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
  22. ^ "Bayonetta: Bloody Fate Anime Film's Full Trailer Posted". Anime News Network. 2013-10-23. Archived 2018-11-22 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2013-11-08.
  23. ^ Sarkar, Samit (December 5, 2014). "Here are the winners of The Game Awards 2014". Polygon. Archived March 18, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 5, 2014.