Welcome back to Cup of Coffee or Game, the segment where we find games that cost less than your daily artisan latte. Today, we’re diving into a title that’s anything but a casual sip: Catherine: Full Body for the Nintendo Switch. Picking up a copy will set you back $9.99 on the Nintendo eshop until September 10 , which is roughly a fancy latte. But is this mature, puzzle-heavy nightmare fuel worth the extra caffeine sacrifice? Let’s find out.

A Shot of Espresso: The Pitch

Imagine a game that’s one part nerve-shredding block-pushing puzzle, one part relationship-driven visual novel, and one part surreal horror nightmare. That’s Catherine: Full Body. You play as Vincent, a deeply anxious man sweating through a commitment crisis with his long-term girlfriend, Katherine, after a steamy affair with a mysterious woman named Catherine. His stress manifests in terrifying dreams where he must climb collapsing block towers or face a grisly demise .

This isn’t your typical Nintendo fare. It’s a stylish, adult-themed cocktail of anxiety, infidelity, and moral choices, all served with a heaping side of theological and philosophical symbolism. The “Full Body” edition is the definitive version, packing in a new character (Rin), additional endings, and a host of gameplay refinements .

The First Sip: Gameplay & Puzzles

The gameplay is split into two distinct flavors: the daytime social sim at the Stray Sheep bar and the nightmare puzzle sequences.

The Puzzle Gameplay: This is the rich, dark roast core of the experience. By day, you’ll chat with friends, drink, and influence the story. By night, you’re climbing. The puzzle mechanics are incredibly deep and rewarding. You’ll push and pull blocks to create stairways, using edge connections and advanced techniques like pyramids and sliders to survive. It starts simple but quickly becomes a frantic test of spatial reasoning and quick thinking. The addition of a “Retry Assist” feature that lets you undo moves is a godsend for newcomers, preventing frustration without diluting the challenge .

The Switch version includes all the DLC, including a puzzle mode featuring Joker from Persona 5 and a bizarre “Horn-Rimmed Glasses” item that, well, lets you see characters in their underwear during cutscenes. Because of course it does .

The Social Sim Gameplay: This is the foamy milk art on top. Your choices in dialogue and via text messages steer Vincent’s morality (Law, Neutral, or Chaos), ultimately determining which of the game’s 13+ endings you get. It’s a fascinating system that asks you probing questions about love and commitment, making you complicit in Vincent’s journey .

The Aftertaste: Story & Themes – A Bitter Blend?

Here’s where your palate may be challenged. Catherine’s story is a product of its time (originally 2011), and its handling of mature themes has aged… poorly in places.

The central love triangle is a gripping, if often cynical, exploration of commitment anxiety. The writing is sharp, the voice acting (featuring Troy Baker and Laura Bailey) is top-tier, and the cinematic direction is excellent . However, the game’s perspective on gender dynamics is often hilariously outdated, painting men as commitment-phobic and women as nagging or manipulative .

The “Full Body” content, specifically the new character Rin, introduces significant controversy. Without spoiling major plot details, Rin’s storyline and the game’s handling of her identity and a subsequent twist are widely criticized for being tone-deaf and problematic in its portrayal of LGBTQ+ themes. A particular scene was described as making one reviewer feel “uncomfortable, confounded, and angry” .

It’s a stark reminder that a story can be mature in its themes without being grown-up in its execution.

The Switch Port: A Perfect Blend?

Technically, this is a stellar port. It runs beautifully in both docked and handheld modes, with the only noted sacrifices being a minor resolution drop from the PS4 version . It includes all the DLC, extra voice options, and new modes, making it the most feature-complete version available.

A word of caution: this is a deeply awkward game to play in public on your Switch. Between the risque text messages, suggestive cutscenes, and themes of infidelity, you might get some looks on the bus. Stick to the excellent puzzle-only “Babel” or “Colosseum” modes for your on-the-go sessions .

The Verdict: Buy This Game If…

• You crave incredibly deep, challenging puzzle gameplay. The block-climbing is unique, addictive, and worth the price of admission alone.
• You appreciate complex, choice-driven narratives and can critically engage with stories that have problematic elements.
• You want a truly adult experience on your Switch that isn’t just about violence.

A Strong Cappuccino with a Questionable Aftertaste

Final Word: Catherine: Full Body is a must-play for puzzle aficionados and a fascinating, if flawed, cultural artifact for story-loving gamers. For the price of two coffees, you get an immense amount of challenging content and a story you won’t stop thinking about—even if it’s for the wrong reasons. Just be prepared for a brew that’s equal parts brilliant and bitter.

Have you played Catherine? Does its controversial story enhance or ruin the experience for you? Let us know in the comments below!