We’re nearly three months on from the Nintendo Swap 2’s launch, and whereas now we have loads of third-party video games to come back on the newer hybrid console, many builders say that they are nonetheless having points getting maintain of dev kits.
This comes from the oldsters at Digital Foundry in response to a query from a listener throughout this week’s DF Direct (timestamped, 8:20). A part of the query focuses on Swap 2 kits, notably mentioning Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound, which runs at 30fps on the newer console (although it would not have a particular Swap 2 model both): “Do you suppose Nintendo are regretting not sharing the dev kits wider, sooner?”
Host John Linneman, who was at Gamescom 2025, spoke to a number of builders on the present flooring the place “so a lot of them mentioned the identical factor,” and that “It is actually tough proper now” to even pay money for a dev package.
It seems like the keenness is there — “They might like to do Swap 2 variations. They will’t get the {hardware}.” — however the means to get the {hardware} groups have to make Swap 2 video games is hard. Some have been apparently instructed “they need to simply ship it on Swap 1 and depend on backwards compatibility.”
Co-host Oliver Mackenzie additionally weighed in, saying “I do not actually perceive the technique” Nintendo is implementing in handing out dev kits.
The crew studies “listening to issues by the grapevine and speaking to folks” on some “bizarre exclusions” and “bizarre inclusions” , highlighting Chillin’ by the Hearth as one of many latter video games: “…Some massive builders, then again, who developed AAA stuff aren’t essentially within the pipeline there for kits.”
In fact, the one individuals who know what’s truly occurring with these dev kits are at Nintendo; Mouse Work, a recreation particularly designed to be performed in Mouse Mode, cannot launch on Swap 2 till the devs get a package. Nintendo is reportedly focusing on indie builders and smaller studios, however that also leaves quite a lot of groups out.
Once you get studies about some third-party video games operating higher on Swap 2 than others; for instance, Ultimate Fantasy VII Remake impressed at Gamescom whereas Elden Ring… didn’t.
Tell us what you consider the Swap 2 dev package scenario within the feedback.
