Hello Kitty Party Land: Key Details From the Nintendo Direct Reveal

Hello Kitty is getting her own party game, and it looks set to be a serious competitor to Mario Party. Hello Kitty Party Land, announced at the June 9, 2026, Nintendo Direct, brings a massive roster of Sanrio characters, a host of minigames, and a board game mode to the Nintendo Switch family of systems. Published by Bandai Namco Entertainment , this is the first console title under Sanrio’s new in-house game brand, Sanrio Games, developed by G-Style Co. Ltd. . A simultaneous worldwide launch is confirmed for October 29, 2026, and pre-orders went live the day of the reveal .

Release Date and Platforms

Hello Kitty Party Land is scheduled for release on October 29, 2026 . It will be available on both the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2, with no versions announced for PC, PlayStation, or Xbox .

Characters and Roster

Sanrio is putting its massive character library to use. The official count puts the roster at over 145 beloved Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty, Cinnamoroll, Pompompurin, and Gudetama . Some outlets reported a figure of 160+, but the official number from the publisher is the safer bet .

Players don’t just meet these characters—they can team up with them. The game includes 16 playable partner characters that can accompany your custom avatar in minigames and board games .

Gameplay: Minigames, Board Games, and Customization

The game’s structure closely mirrors the Mario Party formula, with board-game-style progression punctuated by competitive and cooperative minigames. The official Bandai Namco site confirms over 45 minigames, a figure also cited in the announcement trailer and by IGN . Beyond minigames, the game features several board game modes, plus additional activities like dress-up, fishing, and a sticker-collecting system .

Players start by creating their own original avatar. Once customized, they can explore Party Land, meet characters, and collect stickers of the Sanrio friends they encounter . Multiplayer supports 1–4 players locally, and online play is also confirmed .

Comparisons to Mario Party

The core loop is instantly familiar to anyone who has played a Mario Party title. You roll dice or use similar mechanics to move around a board, compete in minigames, and aim to finish with the highest score or most stickers. The key difference is the Sanrio theme, which trades Mushroom Kingdom chaos for a more colorful, cozy atmosphere designed to appeal to fans of the brand .

Pre-Orders and Editions

Pre-orders for the game opened on June 9, 2026, immediately following the Nintendo Direct announcement . At the time of writing, Bandai Namco has only detailed the standard edition. No Premium Edition, Deluxe Edition, or Collector's Edition has been confirmed. Any further special editions are likely to be announced closer to the October launch.