Originally launched in 1990 for the MSX2, Fray, an overhead run-and-gun spin-off of Micro Cabin’s Xak series, became a cult classic for its vibrant pixel-art and tight gameplay. Today (July 3, 2025), D4 Enterprise re-releases Fray on Nintendo Switch eShop worldwide for €/$6,15, complete with restored audio and original manual scans. The release is the latest addition to D4 Enterprise’s EGG Console-line of retro re-releases. EGG Console features dozens of MSX(2), PC-8801 and PC-9801 games and is similar to Hamster Corporation’s Arcade -Archive. It’s a great way to get a taste of these – for western audiences – obscure game libraries.
The Switch version preserves the game’s cutesy sprite work and charming sense of humor, yes, including that infamous Waluigi crotch chop! You guide heroine Fray through bi-level stages, blasting enemies with run-and-gun mechanics more in line with Legend of Valkyrie than traditional RPGs.
This re-release adds optional CRT filters, customizable button mappings, and a rewind feature to soften the steep MSX2 difficulty curve. Speed-runners rejoice: online leaderboards track fastest clear times per stage, hopefully reviving Fray’s legacy in modern competitive scenes.
D4 Enterprise worked with Micro Cabin’s original team to include a “developer commentary” option. These incorporated in the form of overlay text bubbles that share anecdotes on sprite creation and sound design, for instance. Source code was carefully restored from archived floppy images, allowing for bug fixes and smoother performance on emulated hardware.
Fans can purchase a limited physical cartridge edition via the EGG Console label, featuring printed manuals and an enamel pin. Early sales reports show the run-and-gun re-release topping Switch eShop charts in Japan and Europe, underscoring continued appetite for faithful retro re-releases
