Ever since the Switch 2 launched last year, the current-gen Nintendo console has had an impressive run, especially when it comes to third-party releases. The Switch 2 was anticipated to boast more powerful hardware than its predecessor, but it has proven to be a powerhouse compared to the original iteration. Being able to run games like Cyberpunk 2077, Resident Evil Requiem, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows has made the Switch 2 console a much larger competitor in the industry’s “console wars,” and the company is bringing even more to the table before the year is over.
There’s no debating that Nintendo products have been incredibly popular over the decades. Nintendo is one of the biggest gaming companies in the world, and it still features some of the most well-known gaming mascots of all time. Even plenty of non-gamers know who Mario and Link are, but when it comes to console competition, the gaming landscape has usually been more of an Xbox vs PlayStation situation. Nintendo has paved its own way and found great success through this, but the tides are turning, because third-party Switch 2 games are making the console one of the most intriguing gaming products available right now.
The Switch 2’s Upcoming Third-Party Lineup Is a Major Game-Changer
Cyberpunk 2077 on the Switch 2 made it clear that Nintendo was planning to go big with its newest product. Granted, there have been some great first-party exclusives, too. Games like Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza offer longtime fans that classic Nintendo feel, but the wild number of huge third-party ports coming in have expanded the console’s reach in a huge way.
Put the consoles in the correct order.
Now, gamers who have been wanting to game on the go but are deterred by the Steam Deck’s hefty price tag now have a more affordable option on the table. Granted, the Switch 2 price still isn’t the biggest bargain. The console still costs a whopping $500, but with its portable capabilities and growing list of major AAA titles, it might be one of the better deals overall. The console isn’t confined to a shelf like the Xbox Series X/S or the PS5, and it can be transported just like the Steam Deck, minus the eye-watering $789 price tag.
Taking a Look at the Switch 2’s Biggest Upcoming Third-Party Ports
- The Witcher 3 Remastered – September 29
- Hell Is Us – October 8
- Resident Evil 2 – October 16
- Resident Evil 3 – October 16
- Resident Evil 4 – October 16
- Stellar Blade – November 5
- Monster Hunter Wilds – December 4
- Final Fantasy 7 Revelation – April 8, 2027
- 007 First Light – TBA
- Resident Evil Veronica – TBA 2027
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 – TBA 2027
That’s a crazy lineup, and it proves just how much more powerful the Switch 2’s hardware details are compared to the original Switch. Reading up on the console’s specs makes that clear, but seeing so many huge games being supported by the Switch 2 makes it actually feel real. Nintendo is being loud and clear that the company intends to be a major competitor in the third-party market.
Apart from Kingdom Come: Deliverance, all of these games are coming to the Switch 2 before the year is over. 007 First Light on Switch 2 might be in limbo at the moment, but developer IO Interactive has stated in the past that the port is expected sometime before 2026 is over. Even if the port gets delayed, though, that would put it in line to join Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 on the 2027 calendar. There are a ton of games for Nintendo fans to look forward to in the next few months, and the best news is that there is still a huge first-party exclusive to look forward to, as well.
Nintendo’s Ocarina of Time Remake Is a Reminder That First-Party Releases Are Still Just as Important as Third-Party Titles
There are bound to be some Nintendo diehards who are slightly frustrated by the onslaught of third-party ports, which is understandable. A lot of Nintendo fans have remained loyal to the platforms because of the first-party exclusives. Thankfully, Nintendo is still delivering and bringing plenty of nostalgia alongside its exclusives. The Star Fox remake earlier this year brought Fox McCloud back into the spotlight, and the upcoming Ocarina of Time remake is bound to be one of the biggest releases of the year.
Other exclusives like Yoshi and the Mysterious Book and Pokemon Pokopia on the Switch 2 have brought fun-filled originals to the table, but Ocarina of Time brings back a beloved classic in a brand-new light that is bound to appeal to longtime Nintendo players and newcomers. Even though Ocarina of Time is 27 years old at this point, this remake will probably be the first time that many younger gamers have played the classic, which could help maintain its popularity for decades to come.
One Third-Party Port Would Skyrocket the Switch 2 to New Heights
The biggest game coming out in 2026 is undoubtedly GTA 6. It’s important to be clear that Rockstar has not revealed any plans to make a GTA 6 Switch 2 port, but the console’s hardware specs mean that it’s not entirely impossible. The graphics would potentially have to be scaled down some to make it work, but considering that the Switch 2 and Xbox Series S have similar capabilities, GTA 6 on the Nintendo console might be more than just a pipe dream. There have been rumors that Rockstar is considering such a port, but these kinds of claims should be taken with a grain of salt until confirmed by the developer.
Even if GTA 6 on the Switch 2 never happens, the current third-party lineup that Nintendo has on the way is more than enough to keep console owners busy. The list of new Switch 2 games on the way, whether it’s third-party or first-party, continues to grow, and it’s setting the Nintendo console up to have one of the most impressive rosters of this generation.
