Star Wars Outlaws Announced for Nintendo Switch 2: A Technically Ambitious Port Defies Expectations

Star Wars Outlaws, a highly anticipated open-world game developed by Ubisoft Massive, made waves during the latest Nintendo Switch 2-themed Nintendo Direct.

Previously confirmed only for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, the game's reveal for Nintendo’s upcoming hardware has surprised industry veterans and gamers alike.

Powered by the state-of-the-art Snowdrop engine, Star Wars Outlaws is positioned as one of the most technologically advanced titles in Ubisoft’s library—making its port to the Switch 2 a significant milestone for both the developer and Nintendo’s platform. Ubisoft Massive has built a reputation for pushing technical boundaries, and the studio’s latest Star Wars project brings sprawling environments and cutting-edge visual effects like ray tracing to the forefront.

Star Wars Outlaws invites players to explore a vibrant open-world set between the events of The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

The game’s ambitious design and reliance on next-gen technologies had originally relegated it to platforms with the most powerful hardware, leaving the prospect of a Nintendo release uncertain—until now. During a recent analysis, Digital Foundry technology editor Richard Leadbetter addressed the unexpected Switch 2 announcement.

In clear terms, Leadbetter described Star Wars Outlaws as “a technologically demanding game built on Ubisoft Massive’s Snowdrop engine.” He underscored the surprising nature of the port, calling it a “mind-blowing achievement” to see the title operational on Nintendo’s upcoming hardware. Echoing this sentiment, Digital Foundry contributor Oliver Mackenzie referred to the Switch 2 version as “a really exciting port—possibly an impossible port when considering the scope and features.” Mackenzie highlighted that Star Wars Outlaws incorporates advanced technology, including ray tracing, and emphasized that, unlike games such as Elden Ring or Street Fighter 6 which received PlayStation 4 ports, Outlaws was designed exclusively for newer hardware. Digital Foundry video producer Alex Battaglia also weighed in, noting that Star Wars Outlaws is "by far the most technically ambitious game to be associated with a Switch 2 release." This sentiment reflects a broader industry astonishment at Nintendo’s expanded technical capabilities, marking a new era in the platform’s appeal to major third-party developers. Set for release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and now Nintendo Switch 2, Star Wars Outlaws is poised to redefine expectations for high-fidelity gaming on Nintendo hardware.

Ubisoft Massive’s inclusion of its flagship title during a pivotal Nintendo Direct underscores both the increasing ambition from the developer and Nintendo’s commitment to delivering premium third-party experiences on the Switch 2 platform.

Gamers can look forward to further details as the launch approaches, signaling significant advances in what’s achievable on Nintendo’s next-generation console.

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