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Bayonetta (video game)

Updated: 12/10/2025, 5:27:51 PM Wikipedia source

Bayonetta is a 2009 action-adventure game developed by PlatinumGames and published by Sega. It was released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in Japan in October 2009, and in North America and Europe in January 2010. It was released on Wii U in September 2014, Windows in April 2017, Nintendo Switch in February 2018, and PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in February 2020. Bayonetta takes place in Vigrid, a fictional city in Europe. The game stars the eponymous character, a witch who is capable of shapeshifting and using various firearms. She possesses magical attacks and she can use her hair to summon demons to dispatch her foes. The game features a rating system, which gives players a grade based on their performance, and a combat system similar to the Devil May Cry series. Although unlike Devil May Cry, which features a live Style Rank to directly judge the player, Bayonetta (and subsequent Platinum action games) feature an arena based ranking system, which judges players based on variables such as time, combo points and damage at the end of each individual fight which then gets tallied up at the end of each chapter to determine the final rank. Bayonetta was the third project released by PlatinumGames, which was founded by former Clover Studio employees. Development began in January 2007, with Hideki Kamiya as the director. The development team's name, "Team Little Angels," is a play on the name of the team who developed the first Devil May Cry game, "Team Little Devils." According to Kamiya, Bayonetta was completely original, though he drew some inspirations from Scandinavian mythology and played Devil May Cry 4 for reference. The game was designed to have a core theme of "sexiness" and to feature "fashionable" characters. To this end, Kamiya and artist Mari Shimazaki spent more than a year creating Bayonetta's design. Several demos were released prior to launch. Bayonetta received critical acclaim upon its release. The game was praised for its combat, presentation, and soundtrack, but also drew some criticism for its story and quick time events. The game was nominated for and won several end-of-the-year accolades, had sold over one million units worldwide by 2010, and is considered to be one of the greatest video games ever made. An anime film adaptation by Gonzo, Bayonetta: Bloody Fate, was released in Japan in November 2013. The game was followed by Bayonetta 2 (2014), Bayonetta 3 (2022), and Bayonetta Origins: Cereza and the Lost Demon (2023).

Infobox

Developer
PlatinumGames[a]
Publisher
mw- Sega[b]
Director
Hideki Kamiya
Producers
mw- Yusuke Hashimoto Akiko Kuroda (Wii U)Hitoshi Yamagami (Wii U)Atsushi Kurooka (PC)
Designers
Hiroshi ShibataMasaaki Yamada
Artists
Mari ShimazakiIkumi Nakamura
Writer
Hideki Kamiya
Composers
List of composers Norihiko HibinoTakahiro IzutaniMasami UedaHiroshi YamaguchiRei KondohTakayasu SodeokaErina NiwaYoshitaka SuzukiNaoto Tanaka
Series
Bayonetta
Platforms
PlayStation 3Xbox 360Wii UWindowsNintendo SwitchPlayStation 4Xbox One
Release
October 29, 2009 PlayStation 3, Xbox 360JP: October 29, 2009NA: January 5, 2010AU: January 7, 2010EU: January 8, 2010Wii UJP: September 20, 2014NA/EU: October 24, 2014AU: October 25, 2014WindowsWW: April 11, 2017Nintendo SwitchWW: February 16, 2018JP: February 17, 2018PlayStation 4, Xbox OneWW: February 18, 2020JP: May 28, 2020 (PS4)
Genres
Action-adventure, hack and slash
Mode
Single-player

Tables

Aggregate score
Metacritic
Metacritic
Aggregator
Metacritic
Score
PS3: 87/100X360: 90/100WIIU: 86/100PC: 90/100NS: 84/100PS4: 81/100
Aggregator
Score
Metacritic
PS3: 87/100X360: 90/100WIIU: 86/100PC: 90/100NS: 84/100PS4: 81/100
Review scores
1Up.com
1Up.com
Publication
1Up.com
Score
X360: APS3: A−
Eurogamer
Eurogamer
Publication
Eurogamer
Score
9/10
Famitsu
Famitsu
Publication
Famitsu
Score
X360: 40/40PS3: 38/40
G4
G4
Publication
G4
Score
Game Informer
Game Informer
Publication
Game Informer
Score
9/10
GamePro
GamePro
Publication
GamePro
Score
GamesRadar+
GamesRadar+
Publication
GamesRadar+
Score
IGN
IGN
Publication
IGN
Score
X360: 9.6/10PS3: 8.2/10
Publication
Score
1Up.com
X360: APS3: A−
Eurogamer
9/10
Famitsu
X360: 40/40PS3: 38/40
G4
Game Informer
9/10
GamePro
GamesRadar+
IGN
X360: 9.6/10PS3: 8.2/10
Awards
IGN UK
IGN UK
Publication
IGN UK
Award
Game of the Year
GameSpot
GameSpot
Publication
GameSpot
Award
Best Boss Fights and Best Original IP
GameTrailers
GameTrailers
Publication
GameTrailers
Award
Best New IP
Giant Bomb
Giant Bomb
Publication
Giant Bomb
Award
Best Debut
Publication
Award
IGN UK
Game of the Year
GameSpot
Best Boss Fights and Best Original IP
GameTrailers
Best New IP
Giant Bomb
Best Debut

References

  1. PlayStation 3 version developed by Nex Entertainment; Wii U version developed by Bee Tribe; additional work for Windows
  2. Wii U and Nintendo Switch versions published by Nintendo
  3. Japanese: ベヨネッタ, Hepburn: Beyonetta
  4. "Bayonetta for Wii U - Nintendo @ E3"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20140714162058/http://e3.nintendo.com/games/wiiu/bayonetta/
  5. Polygon
    https://www.polygon.com/2017/12/7/16750044/bayonetta-nintendo-switch-date-trailer-tga-2017
  6. "Nex Entertainment Contents"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20160320182847/http://www.nex-ent.co.jp/contents/consumer.html
  7. IGN
    https://www.ign.com/articles/2019/12/09/bayonetta-vanquish-double-pack-coming-in-2020-to-ps4-xbox-one
  8. Game Informer
    https://gameinformer.com/games/bayonetta/b/ps3/archive/2009/09/29/preview.aspx
  9. GameSpot UK
    https://archive.today/20130123184826/http://uk.gamespot.com/ps3/action/bayonetta/news.html?sid=6211066&mode=previews
  10. GameSpot UK
    https://archive.today/20120720171523/http://uk.gamespot.com/ps3/action/bayonetta/news.html?sid=6211091&mode=previews
  11. 1UP.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120109181429/http://www.1up.com/previews/bayonetta
  12. 1UP.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120730202517/http://www.1up.com/previews/bayonetta_2
  13. "Bayonetta Review (PlayStation 3)"
    http://ps3.ign.com/articles/105/1057012p1.html
  14. "Bayonetta Progress Report"
    http://ps3.ign.com/articles/964/964193p1.html
  15. 1UP.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120109181429/http://www.1up.com/previews/bayonetta
  16. 1UP.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20121012213033/http://www.1up.com/news/platinum-games-shows-bayonetta-easy
  17. Hideki Answers Vol. 2 Part 1!
    https://web.archive.org/web/20091010143938/http://platinumgames.com/2009/10/02/hideki-kamiya-answers-your-questions/
  18. Game Informer
    https://gameinformer.com/games/bayonetta/b/ps3/archive/2009/09/29/preview.aspx
  19. "Hellena Taylor"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100119162428/http://hellenataylor.com/reel_voice.html
  20. GameSpot
    http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/bayonetta/news.html?sid=6216007&mode=previews
  21. TGS 09: Bayonetta Trailer
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqgtpTkCQ3Q
  22. "Bayonetta Review"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100114034955/http://kokugamer.com/2010/01/08/bayonetta-reviewxbox-360/
  23. "Bayonetta Developer Commentary Part 56]"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20130616231758/http://platinumgames.com/2013/02/06/bayonetta-developer-commentary-part-56/
  24. "ANNCast 203: Klein Times"
    http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/anncast/2014-10-20/.80139
  25. GameSpot
    http://www.gamespot.com/articles/qanda-hideki-kamiya-on-bayonetta/1100-6207621/
  26. "Designing Bayonetta"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090820163727/http://platinumgames.com/2009/04/17/designing-bayonetta/
  27. Mielke 2008, pp. 1–2. "[1UP.com:] In June of this year, we trekked down to Osaka, Japan, to meet up with the latest inca
  28. 1UP.com
    https://archive.today/20130116040000/http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3176587
  29. "Fall Harvest"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090924215021/http://platinumgames.com/2009/09/18/fall-harvest/
  30. USA Today
    http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2009/11/bad-hair-day-hands-on-with-bayonetta/1
  31. GamesRadar UK
    http://www.gamesradar.com/f/30-hidden-references-in-bayonetta/a-2010011493658559064
  32. "Designing Bayonetta Part 2—Jeanne"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100102211423/http://platinumgames.com/2009/06/26/designing-bayonetta-part-2-jeanne/
  33. "Designing Bayonetta"
    http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/bayonetta/1013849p1.html
  34. Bayonetta
  35. Mielke 2008, p. 1. "1UP: What are the names of her weapons? HK: As a set, they're all Scarborough Fair. Parsley, Sage, R
  36. "The Music of Bayonetta"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090908003847/http://platinumgames.com/2009/05/29/the-music-of-bayonetta/
  37. "Bayonetta's Perfect Bottom"
    http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/bayonetta/976133p1.html
  38. "Modeling Bayonetta"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090427075943/http://platinumgames.com/2009/04/24/modeling-bayonetta/
  39. Kotaku
    https://kotaku.com/bringing-bayonettas-butt-to-life-5225641
  40. "Butmoni Coronzon (From the Mouth of the Witch) « PlatinumGames Inc"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20150910021857/http://platinumgames.com/2009/12/11/butmoni-coronzon-from-the-mouth-of-the-witch/
  41. Mielke 2008, p. 5. "So the whole, the theme of her attacks is 'sexiness.' ... I'm having fun with the team thinking, 'So
  42. "Bayonetta Exposed!"
    http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/103/1030290p1.html
  43. "The World of Bayonetta—2"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100102172729/http://platinumgames.com/2009/08/28/the-world-of-bayonetta-2/
  44. Video: Bringing Bayonetta to life
    http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gamehunters/post/2009/06/67685135/1
  45. Kotaku
    https://kotaku.com/5350789/be-bayonetta-win-hd-gaming-set+up
  46. "SEGA Announces Winner Of The Bayonetta Model Competition Hosted at Maxim"
    http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/104/1048850p1.html
  47. "MiChi to Perform Bayonetta Theme Song"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20090830105908/http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2009/08/26/michi_bayonetta
  48. Bayonetta—ベヨネッタ | Official Website
    http://bayonetta.jp/
  49. "Bayonetta TV commercial"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100205171513/http://platinumgames.com/2010/01/04/bayonetta-tv-commercial/
  50. "Bayonetta Demo Released For Xbox 360, PlayStation 3...In Japan"
    https://archive.today/20130123185656/http://g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/699848/bayonetta-demo-released-for-xbox-360-playstation-3in-japan.html
  51. ComputerAndVideoGames.com
    http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=228769
  52. Joystiq
    https://web.archive.org/web/20091207113501/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/03/psn-thursday-classic-call-of-duty-bayonetta-demo-beckon
  53. "Bayonetta Released in Japan"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100119032228/http://platinumgames.com/2009/11/06/bayonetta-released-in-japan/
  54. "'Bayonetta' Finally Released!! (ついに「BAYONETTA(ベヨネッタ)」発売!!)"
    http://blog.bayonetta.jp/archives/1125
  55. "Sega Confirms Bayonetta Release Date"
    http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/104/1040376p1.html
  56. Kotaku
    https://kotaku.com/5457808/ps3-version-of-bayonetta-getting-update
  57. Kotaku
    https://kotaku.com/5458852/bayonetta-updated-for-ps3-load-times-improved
  58. Kotaku
    https://kotaku.com/5363044/bayonetta-getting-5+disc-cd-soundtrack
  59. 1UP.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110604155917/http://www.1up.com/news/bayonetta-dated-merchandised
  60. "Bayonetta Japanese Pre-Order Bonus – Rodin's Selection (Original Soundtrack)"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20091217103914/http://platinumgames.com/2009/11/25/bayonetta-japanese-pre-order-bonus-rodins-selection-original-soundtrack/
  61. Siliconera
    http://www.siliconera.com/2009/11/10/bayonetta-climax-edition-weaving-into-europe/
  62. "Pre-order Bayonetta Special Edition"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110904065406/http://www.sega.com/news/?n=3650
  63. Kotaku
    https://kotaku.com/5359473/bayonetta-the-photo-book
  64. Kotaku
    https://kotaku.com/5377704/you-got-lombax-bayonetta-and-monkey-in-my-chrome
  65. "MC Lars' b-side collection 21 Concepts (featuring the Bayonetta song) now available"
    http://www.warpzoned.com/?p=7958
  66. Polygon
    http://www.polygon.com/2017/4/3/15161058/bayonetta-teaser-steam-pc
  67. Gematsu
    http://gematsu.com/2017/04/bayonetta-coming-pc-4k-support-today
  68. VG247
    http://www.vg247.com/2017/04/11/bayonetta-out-on-steam-today-with-4k-support-and-advanced-graphics-options/
  69. PC Gamer
    https://www.pcgamer.com/bayonetta-is-out-now-on-pc-we-spoke-to-platinum-about-making-it-happen/
  70. "Bayonetta Special Edition revealed"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100411024851/http://blogs.sega.com/europe/2009/11/10/bayonetta-special-edition-revealed/
  71. "Bayonetta Game Gets Anime Film by Gonzo in November"
    http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-09-18/bayonetta-game-gets-anime-film-by-gonzo-in-november
  72. "Bayonetta: Bloody Fate Anime Gets Manga, Blu-ray/DVD Date"
    http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-11-08/bayonetta/bloody-fate-anime-gets-manga-blu-ray/dvd-date
  73. Metacritic
    https://www.metacritic.com/game/bayonetta/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-3
  74. Metacritic
    https://www.metacritic.com/game/bayonetta/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360
  75. Metacritic
    https://www.metacritic.com/game/bayonetta/critic-reviews/?platform=wii-u
  76. Metacritic
    https://www.metacritic.com/game/bayonetta/critic-reviews/?platform=pc
  77. Metacritic
    https://www.metacritic.com/game/bayonetta/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch
  78. Metacritic
    https://www.metacritic.com/game/bayonetta/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4
  79. 1UP.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100106012530/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3177422
  80. 1UP.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100106012514/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3177423
  81. Eurogamer
    http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/bayonetta-import-review
  82. "Bayonetta is Perfect"
    http://ps3.ign.com/articles/103/1037152p1.html
  83. "Bayonetta Review (Xbox 360)"
    http://g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/51790/Bayonetta/review/
  84. Game Informer
    https://gameinformer.com/games/bayonetta/b/xbox360/archive/2009/12/22/review.aspx
  85. GamePro
    https://web.archive.org/web/20091231020308/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/213319/bayonetta/
  86. GamesRadar (Future plc)
    http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/bayonetta/review/bayonetta/a-2009122215515698373414/g-2008051422316843088
  87. "Bayonetta UK Review (Xbox 360)"
    http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/105/1057055p1.html
  88. "IGN UK's Best Games of 2010 - IGN Weekend Initiative - IGN Video"
    http://uk.ign.com/videos/2010/12/10/best-games-of-2010-the-weekend-initiative
  89. GameSpot
    https://web.archive.org/web/20121018035555/http://uk.gamespot.com/best-of-2010/special-achievement/index.html?page=21
  90. GameSpot
    https://web.archive.org/web/20121018035528/http://uk.gamespot.com/best-of-2010/special-achievement/index.html?page=20
  91. GameTrailers
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110919192347/http://www.gametrailers.com/video/best-new-game-of-the/708581
  92. "Giant Bomb's Game of the Year 2010: Day One"
    http://www.giantbomb.com/news/giant-bombs-game-of-the-year-2010-day-one/2800/
  93. "E3 2009: Bayonetta Preview"
    http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/bayonetta/992244p1.html
  94. 1UP.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20121016050940/http://www.1up.com/news/famitsu-awards-xbox-360-bayonetta
  95. "Bayonetta is Perfect"
    http://ps3.ign.com/articles/103/1037152p1.html
  96. Wired News
    https://www.wired.com/gamelife/2009/09/bayonetta-preview/
  97. GameSpot
    http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/action/bayonetta/index.html?tag=result;title;0
  98. 1UP.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110622070721/http://www.1up.com/news/platinum-shows-ps3-bayonetta-announces
  99. "Bayonetta Review (PlayStation 3)"
    http://ps3.ign.com/articles/105/1057012p1.html
  100. 1UP.com
    https://web.archive.org/web/20120720173927/http://www.1up.com/news/japan-review-check-tekken-6_3
  101. Edge
    https://web.archive.org/web/20141006082219/http://www.edge-online.com/review/review-bayonetta/
  102. GamesRadar (Future plc)
    http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/bayonetta/review/bayonetta/a-2009122215515698373414/g-2008051422316843088
  103. "Bayonetta UK Review (Xbox 360)"
    http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/105/1057055p1.html
  104. "Bayonetta Review (Xbox 360)"
    http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/105/1056885p1.html
  105. "BigPond GameArena - Bayonetta Reviews"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20111001123521/http://www.gamearena.com.au/xbox360/games/title/bayonetta/reviews.php/bayonetta
  106. Eurogamer
    http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/bayonetta-import-review?page=2
  107. "Review: Sega's 'Bayonetta' flamboyant but shallow"
    http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2010/jan/06/review-segas-bayonetta-flamboyant-but-shallow/
  108. Nintendo World Report
    http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/38566/bayonetta-review
  109. "IGN UK Weekend Initiative Top Ten Games of 2010"
    https://www.magx01.blogspot.com/2010/12/ign-uk-weekend-initiative-top-ten-games.html
  110. Screen Rant
    https://screenrant.com/2018-new-york-game-awards-nominees/
  111. "Future Division Awarded Games"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20091019085218/http://awards.cesa.or.jp/en/prize/prize_02.html
  112. "Tokyo Game Show"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100119032353/http://platinumgames.com/2009/11/15/tokyo-game-show/
  113. 大量にご報告
    http://blog.bayonetta.jp/archives/988
  114. "Xbox 360 VS PS3 in First Day Bayonetta Sales"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20091106000201/http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/2009/10/30/bayonetta_first_day_sales/
  115. "This Week's Ranking (今週のランキング)"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20100103160504/http://m-create.com/ranking/
  116. Gamasutra
    https://web.archive.org/web/20091108195023/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=25963
  117. Eurogamer
    http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/bayonetta-bosses-japanese-software-chart
  118. Kotaku
    https://kotaku.com/5403328/konami-kicks-bayonetta-off-top-of-japans-game-charts
  119. "Appendix of Consolidated Financial Statements"
    http://www.segasammy.co.jp/english/pdf/release/20100514_hosoku_e_final.pdf#page=5
  120. Eurogamer
    http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-17-platinum-games-president-rates-its-sales-as-a-c-or-even-a-d
  121. "Bayonetta 2 About"
    https://www.platinumgames.com/games/bayonetta-2
  122. Destructoid
    https://www.destructoid.com/bayonetta-pc-port-clears-170-000-sales-437840.phtml
  123. 2023CESAゲーム白書 (2023 CESA Games White Papers)
  124. Polygon
    http://www.polygon.com/2014/6/10/5795904/bayonetta-2-release-date-wii-u-bayonetta-remake
  125. Siliconera
    http://www.siliconera.com/2014/06/11/bayonetta-wii-u-60fps-tv-play-dual-audio/
  126. Polygon
    https://www.polygon.com/2017/12/7/16749668/bayonetta-3-trailer-nintendo-switch-platinum-games-tga-2017
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