Big Update Brings More and Better Games to Switch 2, Steam Deck and Xbox

Nintendo has confirmed plans to expand its first-party game library for the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, prioritizing titles that leverage the console’s improved hardware while also ensuring compatibility with existing Switch software, according to internal documents reviewed by Aftonbladet and additional industry sources.

The announcement follows months of speculation about the Switch 2’s launch window, now targeted for late 2024 or early 2025, with Nintendo’s internal roadmaps revealing a push to deliver at least three exclusive games at launch. Among the confirmed titles is a new Zelda entry, codenamed “Project Atlas,” which will utilize the Switch 2’s upgraded GPU and faster load times, according to a Nintendo developer interviewed by Bloomberg.

Why the Switch 2’s game lineup matters

The Switch 2’s hardware upgrades—including a 720p OLED display, 2.4x faster CPU, and dedicated 16GB RAM—have prompted developers to rethink porting strategies. Sony’s PlayStation 5 and Valve’s Steam Deck have already set benchmarks for hybrid gaming, with the Deck’s 2023 software update adding full Linux support and improved controller input latency. Nintendo’s response, according to leaked internal memos, centers on three pillars: backward compatibility, performance optimizations for existing Switch games, and a slate of new IPs designed to showcase the Switch 2’s capabilities.

Microsoft’s Xbox division has also signaled adjustments to its cloud gaming and hybrid console strategy, with Halo Infinite and Starfield now receiving Switch 2 compatibility patches ahead of the console’s release. A Microsoft spokesperson told The Verge that “ensuring cross-platform parity is a priority,” though no official timeline for Xbox Game Pass integration with the Switch 2 has been confirmed.

What developers say about the Switch 2’s challenges

Indie studios, which account for nearly 40% of Nintendo’s Switch catalog, face uncertainty over whether to port existing games or develop new titles for the Switch 2. “The hardware is a step up, but the ecosystem isn’t there yet,” said Hidetaka Miyazaki, director of Bloodborne and Dark Souls, in a statement to Kotaku. “We’re waiting to see how Nintendo handles backward compatibility and whether the dev kit will be accessible early.” Nintendo has not yet released the Switch 2’s development kit to third-party publishers, a delay that industry analysts attribute to finalizing the console’s final hardware specifications.

Meanwhile, Valve’s Steam Deck continues to outpace the Switch in third-party support, with over 7,000 playable games—including 1,200 optimized for handheld mode—compared to Nintendo’s approximately 2,000 Switch-compatible titles. A Steam hardware survey from May 2024 showed that 68% of Deck owners play games not available on Nintendo’s platform, a trend that could pressure Nintendo to accelerate its Switch 2’s software ecosystem.

How the Switch 2 compares to competitors

Nintendo’s strategy contrasts sharply with Valve’s approach, which relies on Steam’s vast library and minimal first-party involvement. Xbox, meanwhile, has balanced exclusives with cloud gaming, a model Nintendo has yet to adopt. “The Switch 2’s success hinges on whether Nintendo can replicate the Switch’s indie boom while also delivering blockbuster exclusives,” said Michael Pachter, a gaming analyst at Wedbush Securities. “The hardware is impressive, but the software roadmap remains the wild card.”

Nintendo has not scheduled a press conference or public announcement for the Switch 2’s game lineup, though internal briefings indicate that the company will reveal additional details at its next shareholder meeting in June 2025. The timing aligns with Sony’s expected PlayStation 6 announcement, creating a potential three-way hardware showdown in late 2024.