Releases

In a move that caught everyone by surprise, beloved indie platformer "Starlight Runner" dropped on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch today—with zero advance notice.

The game, which launched on PC last year to critical acclaim and "Overwhelmingly Positive" Steam reviews, appeared on console digital storefronts this morning at 9 AM EST. Developer Moonlit Games announced the ports via a simple tweet: "Surprise! Console players, you can finally join the adventure. Available now. 💫"

Why the Secrecy?

"We've been working on these ports for eight months," explained creative director Jamie Morrison in a follow-up interview. "But we wanted to avoid the hype cycle and just let the game speak for itself. Plus, there's something magical about a surprise release."

The strategy appears to be working. Within hours of launch, Starlight Runner climbed to #1 on the PlayStation Store's top downloads list and #2 on Xbox. Nintendo Switch players have pushed it to the featured spot on the eShop homepage.

Console-Specific Features

The console versions aren't just straight ports. Each platform gets unique features: DualSense haptic feedback and adaptive triggers on PS5, Smart Delivery on Xbox, and gyro controls plus HD rumble on Switch. All versions run at 120fps in performance mode.

Cross-save functionality means PC players can continue their progress on console, and vice versa—a feature the development team says was "non-negotiable" for the launch.

Community Celebration

The game's dedicated fanbase has exploded with excitement. The official subreddit gained 10,000 new members in the first six hours post-announcement. Speedrunners are already organizing the first console-specific categories, while casual players are sharing their first-time experiences.

"I've been begging for a Switch version for a year," wrote one fan on Twitter. "I literally screamed when I saw it in the store this morning. Already bought it. This is how you do a surprise launch."

Launch Pricing

Starlight Runner is available for $19.99 on all platforms, with a launch week discount bringing it down to $15.99. PC owners get a 25% discount on console versions if they link their accounts, a gesture the community has praised as "incredibly fair."

With overwhelmingly positive reviews already flooding in and strong sales performance out of the gate, this surprise launch is shaping up to be one of the year's feel-good indie success stories. Sometimes, the best announcements are the ones nobody sees coming.