The Nintendo Switch 2 has marked a significant leap forward in third-party support compared to its predecessor. The original Switch, launched eight years ago, faced challenges as third-party developers were hesitant, owing to Nintendo’s prior misstep with the Wii U. Initially, only a few titles like Just Dance, Bomberman, and Skylanders made the cut. Fast forward to the present, and the landscape has transformed considerably.
Launch Lineup of the Nintendo Switch 2
The new console’s debut boasts a robust third-party lineup, showcasing a diverse array of games such as:
- Street Fighter 6 (Capcom)
- Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition (CD Projekt Red)
- Hogwarts Legacy (Avalanche Software / WB Games)
- Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess (Capcom)
- Split Fiction (Hazelight / EA)
- No Man’s Sky – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (Hello Games)
- Suikoden I & II HD Remaster (Konami)
- Civilization VII – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition (2K / Firaxis)
- Hitman: World of Assassination – Signature Edition (IO Interactive)
- Sonic X Shadow Generations (Sonic Team / Sega)
- Fortnite (Epic Games)
The overwhelming success of the original Switch has paved the way for its successor, encouraging more developers to embrace the platform, although this has created a new challenge of high demand for devkits. As a result, larger studios received priority access, leaving others awaiting their turn.
Developer Kit Availability
The availability of developer kits improved significantly, according to insider Nate the Hate. This change addresses previous bottlenecks, as even prominent developers like Gaijin Entertainment had faced delays in receiving their kits by July. The situation is expected to spur a wave of game releases in 2026-2027, aligning with the reported increased sales pace of the Switch 2.
Future Prospects
Rumors indicate that Activision is on track to release a Call of Duty title for the Nintendo Switch 2, adhering to Microsoft’s 10-year agreement with Nintendo. With more devkits distributed, the future looks promising for a variety of game ports to the new console.
