Topic: Switch Physical Boxed Games List & Release Dates (US & CA)

Nuclear Throne coming to Super Rare Games

That's not what SteamWorld Heist II looks like!

But yeah, Nuclear Throne was assumed after SRG's Xmas teaser for 2025 releases.

@Magician
SteamWorld Heist II is inevitable to be sure. No way they won't do the full SteamWorld Switch catalogue.

Also, Go Mecha Ball for PS5, I'm surprised they're not doing the Switch release yet but I guess it came out later than the PS5 version.

Oh and let me express my elation that my physical Switch library will work on the Switch 2, but also my concern that they've not yet addressed whether or not the Switch 2 will improve their performance.

@RupeeClock

I'm under the assumption NVIDIA's software tools (custom DLSS and VRR) will smooth every game over performance wise. Everything that struggled to maintain 30 fps (Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, etc) should feel better right out of gate.

@Magician
There's basically two things I'm anticipating:

1. All Switch 1 software runs better by default because additionally processing resource are available OR all Switch 1 software runs in a legacy Switch 1 mode akin to Old 3DS games running on New 3DS
2. Some Switch 1 games may receive additional patches that may do a bare minimum to upgrade the rendered resolution and increase the framerate cap, or extended upgrade that improves texture quality, enables DLSS / VRR features, etc

New 3DS soft modding already demonstrated that you can get better performance out of Old 3DS games by forcing them into New 3DS mode, and it was mostly stable.
Switch emulators and modded Switch overclocking have demonstrated that throwing additional hardware resources does improve and stabilise performance, though in the case of emulation the software is only as stable as the emulator is well implemented.

It is the thing I'm most excited about with Switch 2, the simple prospect that all Switch 1 games will just run better with or without dedicated patching.
To give a recent example, Snow Bros Wonderland on Switch, Unity Engine game capped at 30 FPS.
Any Unity Engine games capped at 30 FPS on Switch has a horrible input delay, that magically disappears if you set that cap to 60. It's easily proven in emulation, and evident in other capped Unity games like Contra Operation Galuga, and Clive 'N' Wrench.
These titles would probably need a specific patch to set the new FPS cap to 60 like unauthorised mods do, and that's what I want out of Switch 2.

@RupeeClock

I just want the framerate to not drop to single digits in first party Switch 1 games.

Or third party games look like they have a smeared peanut butter overlay.

@RupeeClock Not worried about improving performance, but that "some games may NOT be compatible" really annoyed me because I think that would mean some of the physicals will need patches to work and that ruins the whole point of having the physical

@Bunkerneath I think this is all about 1-2 Switch (for the missing sensor), Ring Fit games (because of the difference in the size of the new joycons) and ofc Nintendo Labo (but that is a joke on itself)

@Bunkerneath

I think the asterisk for non-compatible games is mostly for Labo.

Ring Fit Adventure is another, but will probably get a Switch 2 version.

@Magician
Yeah, I mean Hyrule Warriors Age of Calamity, and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are prime examples of that.
I've heard Scarlet/Violet have a mod for dynamic frame rate that helps improve game feel for when it can't maintain performance, that would pair well with VRR.

@Bunkerneath @Zuljaras
Yeah, the compatibility is likely to be that they're referring to the specific needs of the Switch 1 Joy-Cons, and how they fit into certain accessories like specially fitted and measured cardboard, the rail in Ring Fit's ring, the VR modes for games that support Labo VR like Super Mario Oddsey, Breath of the Wild, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Captain Toad's Treasure Tracker, Super Smash Bros Ultimate.

In the NL article about compatibility, a few people mentioned they weren't sure about IR sensor games, but WarioWare Move It is listed as a backwards compatible game and that has a few IR sensor mini-games included.

For Ring Fit, it's a rare example of a game that is only available physically, not just for the sake of the Ring itself.
I have to wonder that if Nintendo bring Ring Fit to the Switch 2, that they'll offer to sell the Ring and leg strap set separately to players who already own the original game, and just let you play that?
It's a big opportunity to develop a new title though.

With the Switch 2 finally announced it's fair to assume retailers will begin to liquidate Switch 1 inventory in order to make space for Switch 2 inventory.

Get your wallets ready.

@Magician
I'm not sure we'll see that severe of a reaction, given that new PS4 games are still being sold alongside new PS5 games. A shortening of Switch 1 stock for Switch 2 stock though? Absolutely.
I wonder if Nintendo are adapting their Switch game card manufacturing facilities to do both Switch and Switch 2 game cards? They'll be wanting to do both after all, with boutique publishers still having a big backlog of contracted prints and likely wanting to do many more for Switch games yet to get their physicals.

Ah crap, just realised that Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver Collection - Standard Edition from Limited Run is NOT an open pre-order.
It was limited:

Damn IT!
Sorry but I am not paying 150.00 USD for the collector edition

@Bunkerneath
I had no idea myself, that's actually so unusual for LRG Switch orders to be limited quantity.
Oh well, I was slightly interested but my brother was more interested, guess we'll look out to see for any potential EU/UK listings.

Will Switch 2 games have a difference packaging color scheme to differentiate them like the Wii U did? I suspect they may 'switch' from red to blue.

@Bunkerneath I myself got the Collector's Edition because that sarcophagus will sit so nice next to my Alucard coffin But don't worry I am sure that it will have a normal physical release later as with all Aspyr games.

@Belexes
Kit and Krysta shared a rumor that the Switch Deux game packages will be squatter and thicker than Switch Uno games. I imagine they’ll be like PS3 game cases?

Initially, I didn’t like the sound of that, but then again I imagined they could fit some better booklets or other goodies in a wider case, so I won’t complain.

I bet the color-branding will differ from Mama Switch, too - Nintendo will really want to differentiate the software so that Grandma doesn’t buy Billy and Janie the wrong games at Xmas.

@RupeeClock @Bunkerneath

This was also a distribution game. Many times, almost all, have hit store shelves in some capacity.

They will likely be the barebones, no manual, insade art type releases. Like Tomb Raider.

Today is the last day to preorder Freedom Planet 2 from LRG but I noticed it isn't numbered on the page. Does that mean it'll be released elsewhere in the future?

@Aurumonado About six months ago LRG changed how they display products on their website. Since that change, the sequenced number (if it's a numbered release) won't show until you select the platform. Different platform, different number. For example, Freedom Planet 2 is Switch release #269 and PS5 release #132.

If you're a frequent LRG buyer, it's recommended you check their numbered page at least once a week to distinguish what is and what isn't a numbered release.

https://limitedrungames.com/collections/numbered

Edit: P.S. - Since we're talking about numbered releases, I wonder what will be the "new" Switch #252? It was Soul Reaver 1 & 2, but was changed to not being a numbered release and (LRG's first ever?) Switch limited print. It's a weird situation. I assume at the 11th hour Aspyr decided that the release is popular enough to be a distribution title rather than a numbered print of fewer than 25k copies (the all-time high set by Scott Pilgram vs. the World: The Game).