G-MODE has announced Next: The Portopia Serial Murder Case, a new mystery adventure launching in 2027 for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam. The project combines a full remake of the original The Portopia Serial Murder Case with substantial new story material, including five additional investigation files. Series creator Yuji Horii is returning as original creator and executive director.
Rather than simply rebuilding the 1983 adventure with modern presentation, the new game will expand the case from several different perspectives. Players will investigate five newly created files alongside a new cast of characters, with those stories designed to uncover secrets hidden behind the events of the original murder case. The setting remains 1980s Kobe, preserving the period in which Portopia’s mystery originally took place.
The original story begins with the death of a wealthy finance company president, sending the player and assistant Yasuhiko Mano, better known as Yasu, through a murder investigation. Next will recreate that material while adding the new investigations around it, effectively combining a remake and sequel-like expansion into one release. G-MODE describes the project as an entirely new work despite the original game forming part of its foundation.
The Portopia Serial Murder Case first launched for Japanese computers in June 1983 under Enix, years before the company merged with Square to become Square Enix. A Famicom version followed on November 29, 1985, helping bring command-driven adventure games to Nintendo’s console audience. The title became particularly influential in Japan and is closely associated with Yuji Horii before his work on Dragon Quest.
Several notable creators are involved in the new version. Pianist and composer Shinya Kiyozuka is writing more than 30 pieces of music specifically for the game, while character designs are being handled by WIT Studio’s Kyoji Asano. Asano’s credits include character design work on the first three seasons of Attack on Titan and chief animation supervision on Spy x Family.
The development team includes room6 and Game Studio, with ORION PROJECT handling planning and production and G-MODE publishing. Characters from Hokkaido Serial Murder Case: The Okhotsk Disappearance will also appear, connecting Portopia with another mystery game associated with Horii and members of the same development team. G-MODE has not yet explained how extensively those characters will factor into the new storyline.
Players will get their first opportunity to try the game during Tokyo Game Show 2026. G-MODE plans to exhibit a playable version of the opening section at its booth during the event, which runs from September 17 through September 21 at Makuhari Messe. The TGS build will not include voices, although G-MODE says the finished game will be fully voiced.
A Steam page has also gone live alongside the announcement. The listing describes Next: The Portopia Serial Murder Case as an investigation-focused adventure with a new cast and five additional case files. At present, G-MODE lists Japanese as the supported language, and no English localization or additional language support has been announced.
The publisher has not confirmed a specific release date or price beyond the 2027 window. Both digital and physical versions are planned, although platform-by-platform physical availability has not yet been detailed. Further information about the new investigation files, voice cast and how the original game has been modernized is expected closer to launch.
Next: The Portopia Serial Murder Case is scheduled for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch and PC in 2027. By rebuilding Horii’s influential mystery while adding five new investigations, newly designed characters, full voice acting and original music, the project is positioned as considerably more than a straightforward restoration of the 1983 adventure.
