Nintendo Tightens Development Access for switch 2, Prioritizing High-Value Titles
Kyoto, Japan – Nintendo is enacting a more selective approach to game development for its forthcoming Switch 2 console, reportedly restricting access to development kits and prioritizing studios poised to deliver titles that fully leverage the new hardware. The move signals a strategic shift towards a curated game library focused on quality and console capabilities.
The tightening of access impacts a range of developers, including Strikers, the studio behind the free-to-play football game “UFL.” According to Strikers President Eugene Nashilov, the company requested a Switch 2 development kit in March 2025 but has yet to receive one. Nashilov stated, “The Switch 2 version is not yet in production, but it will be. At the moment, Nintendo does not send development sets for free-to-play games. This is happening globally and regrettably we have a problem.” This isn’t an isolated incident; reports from Gamescom 2025 indicate numerous developers encountered similar roadblocks in acquiring the necessary tools to begin development.
Nintendo’s strategy appears to be centered on leveraging the Switch 2’s backwards compatibility.Developers were reportedly encouraged at Gamescom to focus on titles for the original Switch, with the implication that Switch 2 development would be reserved for projects demonstrating a clear benefit from the upgraded hardware.
The company’s evolving policy suggests a intentional effort to build a Switch 2 portfolio comprised of premium titles designed to enhance the console’s reputation. Nintendo is increasingly focused on ensuring games “bring real value and use the full capabilities of the console,” indicating a move away from a more open development ecosystem. The long-term implications of this strategy remain to be seen, but it signals a clear intention to prioritize quality over quantity for the next generation of Nintendo hardware.
