Many Developers Still Don’t Have Switch 2 Dev Kits
The Nintendo Switch 2, released in June, has been a resounding success in terms of sales. While the console’s rapid launch is a significant step for Nintendo, a critical issue is looming behind the scenes for developers. Many studios still lack access to the necessary development kits for the Switch 2, leaving the future of third-party games uncertain.
A Dev Kit Crisis for the Switch 2
According to interviews conducted by Digital Foundry at Gamescom 2025, many developers have requested dev kits for the Switch 2 but have yet to receive a response. According to John Linneman, Nintendo is telling some studios that they must release their games for the Switch 1 and rely on backward compatibility, delaying the growth of the new console’s library.
Oliver Mackenzie shared some interesting details. According to him, while some independent studios have gained access to Switch 2 kits, some major AAA developers have been left out. This demonstrates a lack of clarity in Nintendo’s strategy and a strange distribution of preferences.
While it hasn’t been revealed which major studios haven’t received kits, some companies haven’t announced their new games for the Switch 2, speculation can be made based on the fact that some companies haven’t announced their new games for the Switch 2. The difficulties with third-party support, in particular, could negatively impact the console’s long-term game selection. How Nintendo will manage this distribution policy remains a matter of interest.
Despite all this, the Switch 2 has continued to sell rapidly since its launch. Players expect the popular console to be supported not only by Nintendo titles but also by a broad third-party library. Whether or not the dev kit crisis is resolved will directly determine the console’s future in the coming months.
