Topic: What'll be the first "big" third party game announcement?

@GrailUK
Mice would definitely be helpful for people making-mario in docked mode.

I am somewhat biased when it comes to why i enjoyed switch and am happy that switch 2 is similar, that is that i enjoy handheld gaming but like to at least have the option to play on the TV, its something i missed from the ds and 3ds eras though the psp/go and vita did have ways, the vita had the ill fated PStv which was kind of like a gameboy player only not connected to a console wheres psp had TV-out in later models (apparently the psp-go had a dock so you could use a controller but i never had one)

also for me i found that while consoles kind of had diminishing returns when it came to the wow factor of the visuals around the same time it felt like handheld gaming was providing that, such as seeing the 3ds visuals for the first time (even without 3d) or going from that to the Vita with its OLED screen then going from that to the switch and playing BOTW on a handheld, and since the original switch handheld tech has lept forward so i imagine the switch 2 will have a similar "wow factor" especially with a dedicated handheld console (with other devices being more in the "portable PC" niche)

so yeah i can see why it may not appeal to someone who doesnt really do handheld gaming but for me im happy that we still have a dedicated handheld console and considering all the amazing third party games which missed the original switch i would be happy to double dip on some on a handheld.

im also happy the system looks to be carrying over the "play however you like" mentality for the most part.

in terms of big third party announcements i wouldn't be surprised to see something like Baldurs gate 3 or Re:fantazio, for me personally im hoping that FFVII remake and especially rebirth are able to make their way to the system especially if square can pull of some FFXI on switch 1 style magic (maybe even get the third game) since they were the most fun i have had in a single player FF in a long while.

I think that the April 2, 2025 switch 2 direct will have as the first big third party reveal Call of Duty:Black Ops 6 with warzone.

Second will be EA Sports Madden 26.

@Jalex_64 newer Tomb Raider games is an excellent prediction.
I don't play sports games, but I really would like a return of EA and 2K to Nintendo systems. I know that FC '25 came to Switch last year, so I think that's a good sign.

As much as I would like it to be GTA6, I don't see that happening, and given that GTAV is a PS360 game, announcing that, while cool would just feel like a consolation prize.

DOOM Dark Ages
MGS Delta
FFVII Remake/Rebirth
Cyberpunk 2077

I would probably bet on those being the big 3rd party highlights, but one I think making the biggest buzz would be the Master Chief Collection. Despite being an early Xbox One collection of old games(albeit remakes), the notion would be huge. It'd be the modern equivalent of Sonic on Nintendo platforms when Sega went 3rd party in the early 2000s

@Megas75 I agree with your post in entirety here!

GTA VI realistically is a pipe-dream, and no way we should/could expect that it will run on S2 hardware.

I am very hopeful though for your others listed.... + Elden Ring and (potentially) Baldurs 3. Larian did a great job porting D:OS2 to Switch1, and considering that BG3 just about runs on Steamdeck... it doesn't seem too far a stretch for Switch2 to be a great home for Baldurs 3. Especially also considering the S2 mouse functionality (!)

The XBOX dev showcase got me really excited for the new DOOM, which again I'd expect to see on S2. Looks brilliant!

As for Master Chief Collection, I have no doubt that will find its way to Switch and PS in due course

I can only imagine that these companies are practically drooling at the prospect of repackaging a ton of their older eighth gen games as 'new' releases.

In fairness, for the Nintendo-only gamers, a tidal wave of great content should be on the way.

And yeah, DOOM 2016 and Eternal both showed up on Switch. The Dark Ages is 100% on the way at some point.

I'm so used to Switch being piddly compared to my Steam Deck. It's going to be weird when Switch 2 is running games well that barely function on Valve's handheld.

@CJD87 i'm not sure I agree that GTA 6 is a pipe dream, we need to know more about the technical capabilities of the system first!

I think it's a fairly safe bet that we'll see at LEAST 10 major 3rd party announcements in the first direct, i'm not sure they will all be launch titles, but all will be year 1. I think the following is a fairly safe list:-

1. Madden
2. NHL
3. EA FC
4. Doom Dark Ages
5. Elden Ring
6. COD
7. At least one major Final Fantasy game
8. Cyberpunk 2077
9. NBA 2K
10. Tomb Raider
11. Metal Gear
12. Resident Evil

I would not be surprised if all of these are in the Direct.

I'd love to see Red Dead Redemption 2 too, the only reason I didn't put it on the list is I'm not sure how much capacity Rock Star have for other projects with the launch of GTA 6 this year, although they could have someone like Panic Button do it, anyone but Grove Street Games!

GTA 6.