Nintendo Switch 2's huge third-party support is something "we haven't seen" from Nintendo "maybe ever, but at least for a long time, maybe even since the GameCube," analyst says

Nintendo Switch 2 in dock next to JoyCon controller grip and red backdrop
(Image credit: Nintendo)

The old adage is that people buy Nintendo consoles to play Nintendo games. But the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct made a huge statement about third-party titles right out the gate, announcing the likes of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Cyberpunk 2077, and Elden Ring, as well as a brand new exclusive from FromSoftware, The Duskbloods. So GamesRadar+ asked industry analyst Mat Piscatella about how supporting third parties could affect Nintendo Switch 2.

"Historically, Nintendo products get purchased to play Nintendo games, and Nintendo platforms aren't the first place people look to play third-party content if they have other ways of accessing that content," Piscatella tells us, adding, "Perhaps that changes here because of that support and because of the hybrid nature of the device.

Regardless of how things go, he thinks "it's gonna be super interesting to watch, because we haven't seen this level of support, maybe ever, but at least for a long time – maybe even since the GameCube."

Piscatella continues to say that, "in terms of that third-party partnership approach… that's not something that Nintendo had really pushed so much with prior launches."

Scott McCrae
Contributor

Scott has been freelancing for over three years across a number of different gaming publications, first appearing on GamesRadar+ in 2024. He has also written for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, VG247, Play, TechRadar, and others. He's typically rambling about Metal Gear Solid, God Hand, or any other PS2-era titles that rarely (if ever) get sequels.

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