Bayonetta

 is a hack and slash video game series developed by PlatinumGames. The franchise was introduced in 2009 with "Bayonetta". A sequel, "Bayonetta 2", followed in 2014; "Bayonetta 3" is in development. All three games star the title character as its protagonist.
Games.
"Bayonetta" (2009).
The first game in the series was directed by Hideki Kamiya, who created the "Devil May Cry" franchise when he was working in Capcom. It was the third title in Platinum's four-game contract with Sega. The game was released on October 29, 2009, in Japan, and was released worldwide in January 2010 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The game received generally positive reviews upon release. It was Platinum's most commercially successful game at that time, the company was disappointed with its sales. More than 1.35 million units of the game were shipped. A remastered version for the game was released alongside "Vanquish" for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in February 2020.
"Bayonetta 2" (2014).
"Bayonetta 2" was announced in 2012 during a Nintendo Direct for the Wii U. The decision received backlash from fans, since the game would not be available on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Platinum was initially working with Sega to create the sequel, but Sega decided to cancel the game during the game's development. Nintendo subsequently revived the project. According to producer Atsushi Inaba, the game would not have been possible if they did not get the funding and the support from Nintendo. Sega remained as the game's consultant. The game was directed by Yusuke Hashimoto, and Kamiya has a supervision role. The game was released in 2014 to very positive reviews. While sales have not been fully disclosed, by March 2018, Nintendo confirmed the Switch version had sold 400,000 copies during its first nine weeks, compared to the 300,000 copies the Wii U version sold during the same period.
"Bayonetta 3" (TBA).
A third game in the series was announced by Nintendo at The Game Awards 2017. It is set to be released for the Nintendo Switch.
Other media.
An anime film based on the first game, titled "", was produced by Gonzo and released in 2013.
Bayonetta appears as a downloadable character in Sega's multiplayer fighting game "Anarchy Reigns", and as a special guest character alongside Jeanne and Rodin in Nintendo's action game "The Wonderful 101". She also appears as a downloadable character in "Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U", and as an unlockable character in the sequel "Super Smash Bros. Ultimate". Both games also feature a stage based on the falling Umbra Clock Tower which appeared in both "Bayonetta" games.