9 Years of Shadows on Switch: Limited Run #270 Buying Guide

Quick answer

If you want 9 Years of Shadows on Switch as a physical release, buy it during the open pre-order window rather than waiting for a restock. The Switch version is region-free, so it will play on any region console, and the pre-order window is the only guaranteed way to get a copy. If you own a PS5 and prefer that platform, check whether the same release covers PS5 before ordering.

Limited Run #270 is the numbered physical release of 9 Years of Shadows, a hand-drawn metroidvania-style adventure. The Switch version is the one most collectors ask about, partly because the game suits handheld play and partly because numbered Limited Run releases tend to hold attention long after the pre-order closes.

This guide sticks to what the store listing actually confirms: region-free status, the open pre-order structure, and the platform options attached to the release. It does not guess at print run sizes, bonus contents, or future restocks, because those details are not part of the catalog record. What follows is a set of decision rules you can apply before the pre-order window shuts.

What the Limited Run #270 listing confirms

The catalog entry for 9 Years of Shadows confirms two things that matter most to a buyer: the release is region-free, and it is an open pre-order for a limited time. Region-free means the Switch cartridge is not locked to a single territory, so you can play it on a console bought in any region. The open pre-order format means copies are made to order during the window rather than sold from a fixed day-one stock.

The listing does not state a specific pre-order close date in the supplied facts, and it does not list collector's edition contents, art books, or soundtrack inclusions. Treat that absence as a decision limit: if a bonus item is not named in the listing, do not assume it is included. Order based on the game and the platform, not on hoped-for extras.

• Region-free status is confirmed, so import concerns are minimal.
• Open pre-order means the window, not the clock, is your real deadline.
• Unlisted extras should be treated as not included until the listing says otherwise.

Switch vs PS5: which platform to pick

The release lists Platform as an available option type, which means you choose the console version at checkout. The Switch version is the natural pick if you play handheld, want the game on a cartridge, or collect numbered Limited Run Switch titles. The PS5 version is the better fit if you prefer playing on a TV with a controller and want the release on a disc-based platform.

Because the catalog record confirms region-free status for the release, your decision is really about where you play, not where the cartridge or disc was made. If you own both consoles and only want one copy, pick the platform you will actually finish the game on. If you collect Limited Run Switch releases specifically, the Switch version is the one that fits that shelf.

• Choose Switch for handheld play and cartridge collecting.
• Choose PS5 if you mainly play on a TV and prefer disc-based releases.
• Region-free status means platform preference, not region, drives the choice.

How the open pre-order window changes your timing

An open pre-order is not a race in the usual sense. Copies are produced based on orders placed during the window, so ordering on day one and ordering near the close date usually gets you the same game. What matters is ordering before the window ends, because after that the listing typically stops accepting new orders.

That structure also means you should not expect a large retail restock afterward. If you miss the window, your realistic options are the secondary market or a different release. For a numbered Limited Run title, waiting is the risky move, not ordering early.

• Order any time inside the window; the copy is the same.
• Missing the window is the main risk, not ordering late within it.
• Do not plan around a retail restock after the pre-order closes.

What to verify before you check out

Before you commit, confirm three things on the product page: the platform you selected, the region-free note, and the current pre-order status. If the page lists the item as an open pre-order, you are ordering a made-to-order copy. If the page shows a close date, note it and set a reminder a few days before, since time zones can make the deadline earlier than it looks.

Also check the shipping address on your account. Limited Run pre-orders can run for months between order and delivery, so an address that is valid today may not be valid when the item ships. Updating it before the window closes avoids a support ticket later.

• Confirm platform, region-free note, and pre-order status on the page.
• Set a reminder ahead of any listed close date to account for time zones.
• Verify your shipping address, since delivery can be months after ordering.

How this fits alongside other Limited Run pre-orders

If you are already watching other Limited Run pre-orders, it helps to compare windows rather than buy everything at once. The Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered Collector's Edition is a higher-priced collector's release with its own pre-order close date, while 9 Years of Shadows sits in the standard numbered release range. Knowing which window closes first lets you sequence your spending.

The same logic applies to other open pre-orders in the store, such as The Expanse: A Telltale Series Standard Edition and Myst Big Box Edition. Each has its own close date and platform options. Treat each listing as a separate deadline and decide per game, not as one bulk purchase.

• Compare pre-order close dates across listings before committing.
• Separate standard numbered releases from higher-priced collector's editions in your budget.
• Decide per game; a single bulk order is rarely the right call.

Decision rules for buying 9 Years of Shadows

• You want the Switch version specifically: Order during the open pre-order window and select Switch as your platform. The release is region-free, so you do not need to worry about which region your console came from. Buy now if Switch is your platform; the window is the only guaranteed chance.
• You own both Switch and PS5: Pick the platform you will actually play on. Switch suits handheld sessions and cartridge collecting; PS5 suits TV play and disc-based shelves. Region-free status does not change this choice. One copy on your primary platform beats two copies you never open.
• You are waiting for a discount or restock: Open pre-orders are made to order, and the listing does not promise a later retail restock. Waiting past the window usually means paying secondary-market prices instead. If you want it, order inside the window rather than betting on a restock.
• You are juggling several Limited Run pre-orders: Check each listing's close date, including higher-priced editions like the Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver 1 & 2 Remastered Collector's Edition, and sequence your orders by deadline. Sort by close date, then buy in that order.

Catalog facts that affect your decision

• Raiden NOVA Standard Edition (Switch, PS5): Raiden NOVA is region-free and is an open pre-order for a limited time, with Platform as the available option type. This shows the same region-free, open pre-order pattern used by 9 Years of Shadows, so if you already buy Limited Run releases on this model, the ordering process will feel familiar.
• The Expanse: A Telltale Series Standard Edition (Switch, PS5): The Expanse: A Telltale Series is region-free and is an open pre-order for a limited time, with Platform as the available option type. If you are comparing pre-order windows, this release has its own close date, so you can plan which Limited Run order to place first instead of stacking them all at once.
• Myst Big Box Edition (PS5, Xbox, PC): Myst is region-free and is an open pre-order for a limited time, with Platform as the available option type. It is a useful contrast: a higher-priced special edition with its own window, which helps you see how standard numbered releases like 9 Years of Shadows differ in price and scope.

Who should buy this release

Best for

• Switch owners who want a physical cartridge of a hand-drawn adventure
• Collectors building a numbered Limited Run Switch shelf
• Players who prefer handheld sessions and region-free cartridges

Not for

• Buyers who only want a PS5 copy and do not collect Switch releases
• Shoppers waiting for a retail discount or a guaranteed restock
• Collectors expecting unlisted extras such as art books or soundtracks

9 Years of Shadows on Switch is a straightforward buy if you want the physical release and act inside the open pre-order window. Confirm your platform, check the close date, and update your shipping address before you order. If you are weighing it against other Limited Run pre-orders, sort by deadline and buy the ones you actually intend to play.