Dave The Diver Anniversary Edition Features A Very Unexpected Crossover

Ahead of its first anniversary, Dave the Diver is getting a physical Switch edition release on May 30 from Guilty Gear developer Arc System Works. The studio behind the popular fighting game franchise is also collaborating with Dave the Diver, with themed boat and character skin cosmetics included in this $40 physical edition. Dave the Diver was previously a digital-only game.

Dave the Diver physical edition box art

Another neat addition is access to the song “The Disaster of Passion,” a pretty cool track from the Guilty Gear jukebox, in the rhythm game minigame. Fittingly, that’s the main theme for May, a nautical-themed character from Guilty Gear who wallops people with a battleship anchor and friendly dolphins.

Players who purchase the Anniversary Edition will also receive a digital art book showcasing how the world of Dave the Diver came to be, with a behind-the-scenes look at the game’s pixelated characters and locations. In case you missed it last year, Dave the Diver was a truly massive hit when it launched last year and remains one of the most popular indie games in recent years. To date, it has netted more Steam user reviews (over 82,000) than many AAA games that released last year.

A combo of exploration, treasure hunting, and sushi restaurant management, the game was well-received and will be coming to PlayStation later this year, with a Godzilla crossover in tow. The deeper you dive into the ocean, the better the ingredients you’ll find for your sushi bar, leading to more customers and more cash in your digital pocket for even more daring oceanic expeditions. This charming cycle of exploration and profit made Dave the Diver a standout title in a year brimming with high-profile releases.

On GameSpot’s sister site Metacritic, Dave the Diver has a Metascore of 90 from 45 critics, a rating of “universal acclaim” according to the review aggregate website. It also holds an “Overwhelmingly Positive” user review average on Steam.

If you aren’t interested in the physical edition but want to check out Dave the Diver, the digital edition for PC is currently on sale for $15 (down from $20) at Green Man Gaming.