Bizarre Higurashi Mahjong Spin-Off Returns: Remaster Announced for PC, Switch, and PS5

Retro revive specialist City Connection has officially announced Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Jong REMASTER, bringing back one of the most unique spin-offs from Ryukishi07’s iconic psychological horror franchise. Originally debuted in Japanese arcades in 2009 as Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Jan, the updated bishoujo mahjong title is scheduled to launch in 2027 for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. The remaster will feature Japanese, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese text, giving international fans their first official chance to experience this cult classic on modern hardware.

Table Of Content

What Is the Release Date for Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Jong REMASTER?
What Is the Story and History Behind the Higurashi Mahjong Game?
What Modes and Features Are Included in the Remaster?
Who Are the Voice Actors in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Jong REMASTER?

What Is the Release Date for Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Jong REMASTER?

City Connection has confirmed a 2027 release window for Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Jong REMASTER across Japanese storefronts on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam. While an official Western localization has not been confirmed yet, the inclusion of Chinese language options on the official Steam Store page marks the first time this former arcade and PlayStation Portable exclusive leaves Japan with multi-language text support.

What Is the Story and History Behind the Higurashi Mahjong Game?

The original title debuted in Japanese arcades in July 2009, published by AQ Interactive and developed by SIMS, before receiving an expanded PlayStation Portable port later that November. Created as a spin-off of the legendary Higurashi When They Cry visual novel series by 07th Expansion, the game blends dark psychological suspense with high-stakes two-player Riichi Mahjong battles.

Rather than standard table play, matches in Hinamizawa carry life-or-death consequences, forcing protagonist Keiichi Maebara to use unconventional strategies, including deliberate cheating techniques, to survive the curse of Oyashiro-sama.

What Modes and Features Are Included in the Remaster?

The 2027 remaster updates the entire package with refreshed animations, enhanced visuals, and bonus mobile content previously locked to legacy Japanese phones.

Oyashiro Mode: The primary narrative campaign where players control Keiichi Maebara in high-stakes mahjong duels to prevent the tragedies haunting Hinamizawa Village.
Club Mode: A casual after-school match format that allows players to freely pair up any franchise characters with custom penalty rules.
Extra Club Mode (Paikuzushi Chapter): Newly integrated content featuring special tile-clearing puzzle stages and unlockable reward scenes.
Auto-Play Assist: An artificial intelligence mode that handles Riichi Mahjong tile decisions automatically, allowing visual novel fans to enjoy the story without needing prior mahjong knowledge.
Bonus Gallery: Includes exclusive artwork from guest illustrators, notably featuring Poyoyon♥Rock (Akio Watanabe), character designer for Higurashi Gou and Higurashi Sotsu.

Who Are the Voice Actors in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni Jong REMASTER?

The remaster features returning voice performances from the franchise’s legendary core cast, with dynamic cutscene animations during matches rather than static dialogue cards: