Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris DLC Blooming of Matricaria announced; Switch port listed by retailer [Update: Release Dates]
Update 2 (July 19)
Bandai Namco has confirmed the release dates for the Nintendo Switch port of Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris, as well as the Blooming of Matricaria DLC for existing releases on the PS4, Xbox One, and PC via Steam.
The Nintendo Switch port will be released on September 29 in Japan and September 30 in the West. It will launch with the first four parts of the free "Ancient Apostles" update. Bandai Namco will add episodes 5-8 of Ancient Apostles and the two paid DLC sets to the Switch release at a later time.
Meanwhile, the PS4, Xbox, and PC versions of Alicization Lycoris only need to wait for the Matricaria DLC, and players on those platforms will be able to get it next week. Blooming of Matricaria will be available simultaneously worldwide on July 25 in the West and July 26 in Japan and Asia.
Update (July 2)
During the publisher's Anime Expo panel event, Bandai Namco has announced that Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris will launch for Nintendo Switch, though no release date has been announced.
Original (July 1)
Bandai Namco and Aquria have announced a second DLC coming to Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris, titled Blooming of Matricaria.
This follows the first paid DLC - Blooming of Forget-me-not, as well as continual free Ancient Apostle updates.
While information on the new DLC is sparse, such as release timing or price, our friends at Gematsu summarized the brief story details given for the new DLC
Story
The Underworld. To protect this virtual world, and to prevent the future of collapse expected to occur, we accumulated power. Kirito’s sword that connects feelings… Not just Kirito—everyone has new power.
No matter the obstacle, it can be overcome. The “Final Load Experiment” response meeting focused on Cardinal began, but the bells of doom suddenly rang, declaring the activation of the “Large-Scale Destruction Divine Object Refactoring.”
And so begins the “Hundred Days War”—the battle that shakes the human world…
100 days left until the world’s demise.
New Character: Log
A boy with an eye patch over his right eye. Human, but is simple minded and rough-mannered. He seems to have known Kirito, Eugeo, and Alice for a long time…
In battle, he fights like a beast, wielding a large shield and one-handed axe.
New Weapon: Shield & Axe
A new weapon that can be equipped to Kirito and Log. The “Tank” role serves to gather enemy aggro and defend against attacks, while the “Attacker” role overwhelms the enemy with firepower increased by collected aggro. Contrary to its appearance, the Shield & Axe can also be used for quick, basic attacks.
Additionally, Australian outlet VOOKS has spotted a retailer listing for Sword Art Online: Alicization Lycoris on Nintendo Switch. The anime-based RPG originally released in July 2020 for PS4, Xbox One, & PC, but there had been no indication of a Switch port until now.
Bandai Namco is no stranger to late Switch ports of their games, with titles like Ni no Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom, Dragon Ball Z Kakarot, and .hack//G.U. Last Recode all getting Switch ports long after their original releases on other platforms. As of now though, there's no official announcement from Bandai Namco.