The Nintendo Switch 2 has been a huge leap forward for the company, as it’s proven that a Nintendo-made console can get close to competing with what PlayStation and Xbox have to offer. Overall, the PS5 and the Xbox Series X/S have the upper hand on the Switch 2, but Nintendo has demonstrated with its newest product that the company might be catching up much faster than the two console heavyweights may have expected. The era of the “console wars” has been heavily focused on a PlayStation vs. Xbox narrative, but the Switch 2’s growing lineup of impressive third-party games puts Nintendo back in the ring.
Of course, Nintendo still has a little ways to go before it’s truly on par with PlayStation and Xbox’s hardware, but the Switch 2’s specs make it one of the company’s most impressive consoles yet. The past few years have seen Nintendo do its own thing and avoid trying to go toe to toe with gaming’s juggernauts, but the 2026 game release calendar is a fascinating look into a potential future where the Switch 2 is just as much a part of the console wars conversation as PlayStation and Xbox.
The Switch 2 Is Having a Strong 2026 When It Comes to Third-Party Releases
Early 2026 started off strong for the Switch 2 when Resident Evil Requiem added the console to its list of day one launch platforms. Resident Evil Requiem on the Switch 2 may not boast the same impressive graphics as the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions, but launching on the console day one was a huge step in the right direction. Capcom’s latest Resident Evil chapter was one of the first big releases of the year, so Nintendo being part of that conversation was a great spotlight for the company to find itself in.
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The Switch 2’s game roster has been solid, but Resident Evil Requiem proved that gamers don’t always have to wait later than PS5 or Xbox Series X/S owners for a port to arrive. Many of these third-party ports are still coming out later than the PlayStation and Xbox versions, but the games coming to the Nintendo console continue to demonstrate how much stronger the Switch 2 is compared to its predecessor.
A Look at Some of the Biggest Games for the Switch 2 in 2026
- Resident Evil Requiem
- Pragmata
- Lies of P: Complete Edition
- Oblivion Remastered
- Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition
- Onimusha: Way of the Sword
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4
- 007 First Light (TBA)
- The Duskbloods (TBA)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4‘s release date is particularly a big one for Nintendo and the Switch 2. There are a few third-party games on the above list that are included the Switch 2 in its day one plans, like the upcoming Onimusha: Way of the Sword, but being part of a Call of Duty game’s launch plans is an even bigger deal. Call of Duty is one of the most recognizable gaming franchises in the world, and the Switch 2 will get the chance to be part of that initial hype.
2026 has also been a significant year for first-party Switch 2 remakes. Star Fox came out in June, and the Ocarina of Time remake is one of Nintendo’s most anticipated releases of the year.
To put this into perspective, the last time a Call of Duty game featured a Nintendo console in its day one launch plans was all the way back in 2013 with Call of Duty: Ghosts. The Wii U era feels like it was a lifetime ago, so it’s wild seeing a Nintendo console back in Call of Duty‘s orbit. Just like Resident Evil Requiem, Modern Warfare 4 on the Switch 2 is going to be a test of how well the console runs this kind of game compared to the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
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Image via Infinity Ward -
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Image via Bethesda Game Studios
Also, the fact that Nintendo is getting a FromSoftware-made exclusive with The Duskbloods could make it quite appealing to console fans who have ignored the company’s products over the years. Between The Duskbloods and the Switch 2’s Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, users get the advantage of playing FromSoftware games with the option of taking them on the go, thanks to the handheld mode. The Switch 2 may not be able to compete with PlayStation and Xbox from a visual standpoint, but the console’s portability is a huge advantage.
One Hoped-For Port Could Really Make the Switch 2 a Force to Be Reckoned With
There have been rumors for a while that Rockstar is considering a GTA 6 Switch 2 port. Before anyone gets too excited, it’s important to remember that unverified claims this bold should be taken with a grain of salt. GTA 6 on the Switch 2 would be a huge deal, but it’s very possible that Rockstar could drop these rumored goals and stick with the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S as its console focus.
If the rumors turn out to be true and GTA 6 does come to the Switch 2, it would more than likely be next year or even further down the road. Nintendo already has some exciting games slated for the console’s 2027 schedule, like Resident Evil Veronica, Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, and Wo Long 2: Wings of Ember.
With games like Red Dead Redemption, Star Wars Outlaws, and Cyberpunk 2077 on the Switch 2, it’s clear that the console has what it takes to run a huge game. GTA 6 on the Switch 2 is not impossible, but Rockstar is more than likely going to pivot its attention to the PC port after the game launches in November. Rockstar hasn’t outright denied a Switch 2 port, though, so it’s going to be fascinating to see if Nintendo gets another huge third-party win down the road.
Switch 2 games are quickly becoming far more than first-party exclusives. Major franchises like Mario Kart, Pokemon, and The Legend of Zelda are still huge draws for the company, of course, but the Switch 2’s hardware can reach players that are outside the usual Nintendo community. Being able to be part of huge franchise launches like Resident Evil and Call of Duty on day one is a far different story than the Switch 1, and it sets an exciting precedent for whatever Nintendo’s next-gen console happens to be.
