Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter may have flown under some gamers’ radars when it released, but it was actually one of the most critically acclaimed games of 2025. This modern remake of a JRPG classic brought 3D visuals, new voice acting, and a real-time/turn-based hybrid combat system to the series, and anyone with a Japanese Nintendo Switch Online subscription can play Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter for free between July 6 and July 12.
Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter‘s stellar reviews have it sitting at an 87 on Metacritic, with reviewers and players alike celebrating the title’s many improvements over the original. It may not be flawless — some players cite a lack of variety in the later game that results in lackluster battles — but it’s very clear that this niche franchise is finally starting to hit its stride. To help it reach an even larger audience, Nintendo and developer Nihon Falcom will be holding the Issei Trial between the aforementioned dates, which is described as all-you-can-play access to the game.
Nintendo Switch Exclusive Delisted Without Warning
A Switch exclusive game is removed from the eShop, and fans were given no advance warning about it from Nintendo or the developers.
If Players Commit, They Can Play The Entirety of Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Free of Charge
Unlike demos that offer brief slices of a game to get potential buyers hooked, or something akin to PlayStation Plus’ limited game trials where players get a set amount of time with a title before needing to pay up, the phrasing for this Issei Trial suggests players can experience as much of the game as they want between July 6 and July 12. There are two requirements to get access to this free, full game: first, players must be paying for Nintendo Switch Online, and second, players must have a Japanese Nintendo account.
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While this may seem like a disappointment for those in the United States or Europe, it’s important to note that accessing the Japanese Nintendo store is simple. Interested players need simply:
- Create a free Nintendo account, setting the region to Japan.
- Activate a Nintendo Switch Online subscription on this account via a free trial or a one-month sub.
- Add this alternate Japanese account as a user to their existing Nintendo Switch.
- Download Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter to their Nintendo Switch console via the Japanese storefront.
- On July 12 when access to the game ends, make sure to unsubscribe from NSO on the new account to avoid being charged.
It’s important to note that Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter is a very long game, as the introduction of voice acting, new quests, and expanded areas have made it significantly longer than the original. That version took around 40 hours to complete, whereas Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter has a 70-hour playtime. To get through the game between July 6 and July 12, players will have to go all out, as, like most other JRPGs, there is a ton of content to take in. Fortunately, like with other NSO Free Game Trials, save data will carry over from the free version to the purchased version if players cannot finish the game before the trial ends.
With Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter also half-off between July 6 and July 19, there could soon be a lot of new players getting into this once-niche JRPG franchise. And considering that the next chapter of Trails is set to release later this year, now truly is the perfect time to get into the series.
- Released
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September 19, 2025
- ESRB
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T For Teen // Blood, Fantasy Violence, Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco
- Developer(s)
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Nihon Falcom
- PC Release Date
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September 19, 2025
Source: gonintendo