A report which came from Insider Gaming specified Nintendo’s launch software strategy for the upcoming release of the long-awaited Nintendo Switch 2. One of the main points in the report is that most third party developers do not have access to Nintendo Switch 2 development kits, despite the console apparently launching in June. Now, John Linneman from Digital Foundry has chimed in and has stated that he also heard from a lot of developers at GDC 2025 who still do not have development kits for the upcoming platform.
“We’ll talk about GDC later, but based on a lot of the things I’ve heard it also seems like many many many many developers are still without kit. So they are very slow at rolling this out to a lot of developers”
“I think there will be third-party games early on of course, it just seems like a lot of medium to small developers still do not have access to development hardware. So Nintendo has been very selective with who they allow to do it.”
Not surprising given that if they just gave them out to everyone before launch there is a higher probability of leaks coming out
Bingo. Especially from western devs which seems trigger happy at leaking things even with NDA. Just wait until the full reveal and every interested devs will got their dev kits.
This is going to be a huge drag for third party companies despite having no access to the Switch 2 kits.
It’s coming out late 2025
I just don’t see it coming out in late 2025. Why announce it so early?
Holiday release is possible, but the games announced last week aren’t going to keep Switch 1 sales high until then, so Nintendo isn’t gonna be making much if they wait that long. It’s been on the decline and the majority of people have already moved on mentally to Switch 2 and I’m sure Nintendo knows this.
But? Where did you see that the new switch will be released in June?!?
Rumours seem to point to June, hence why I wrote “apparently” Hope it’s true!
That could be true about that Sickr even so its just a small rumor.
Many many many many many. XD
If people recall when the Switch launched, the eShop initially only had a small set of well curated games. It stayed that way for the first few months – likely because they took a similar approach of hand-picking devs who got the kits early. Of course now the eShop is terribly curated, try looking through the new release tab and finding non-shovelware games. But it’s probably a good strategy to build the reputation of the console by getting good games onto it (and avoiding poor ones).
This is the correct answer. Nintendo still remembers the video game crash of 1983. They want their new console to launch with a small selection of high-quality titles.
Probably so Digital Foundry doesn’t make six or seven unnecessary videos about frame rate, and drive down preorders?
Sickr. What was the article you guys posted on here about how so many 3rd parties have signed up to develop for S2 ?
Good call! This is the one https://mynintendonews.com/2025/01/21/8-of-respondents-in-gdc-survey-are-working-on-switch-2-games/
There has to be a direct correlation between these articles. Which again seems low. Granted the top cats will have their kits but I would expect most 3rd parties to have access to dev kits.
That’s not a good sign. This makes me believe it’ll be more of a holiday launch. I know everyone is praying for that sweet June?July release, but I think its more like a Sept/Oct launch instead. If most developers haven’t even been given dev kits, then launch games won’t be ready by summer, not even simple ports. If this story is true then the writing is on the wall, no way its coming as early as everyone was predicting.
“I’ve heard it also seems like many many many many developers are still without kit.”
Many many many many… who, exactly?
“it just seems like a lot of medium to small developers still do not have access to development hardware”
So, basically mostly developers who develop mostly shovelware or meh titles. Nothing new under the sun. The Switch launched with only a handful of titles as well, and gradually built onto it.
People have to be incredibly obtuse to believe most established developers don’t have their kits already. And that’s what it matters. A console can’t depend on indie games.
Random person says something for Internet likes. Must be true lol
Because many developera dont want a system that is weaker than modern cell phones. Glad devs dont have this underpowered POS
Can’t say exactly how well Switch 2 will sell. But considering the OG Switch has sold nearly 150 million systems, I would think many devs would like the chance to reach a market size like that.
Also, why are you here?…
To the ones east of the Atlantic …happy Nintendo Direct Eve!!!
Interesting but not surprising—Nintendo has always been tight-lipped and selective with hardware access. Still, with a June launch rumored, the slow dev kit rollout could limit early third-party support, especially from indies.