Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition Launches on Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch—Aspyr Shares Behind-the-Scenes Insights
The iconic Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition made its highly anticipated arrival on both the Nintendo Switch 2 and original Nintendo Switch this past month, marking a significant milestone for both the legendary franchise and Nintendo’s latest generation of hardware.
Developed by Aspyr in close collaboration with Crystal Dynamics, this release brings Lara Croft’s acclaimed origin story to a new wave of players and continues Aspyr’s impressive legacy of delivering premium experiences on Nintendo platforms. Aspyr’s producer manager, Jordon Reese, shed light on the project’s origins and the studio’s motivations for bringing Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition to Switch and Switch 2 at this pivotal moment.
According to Reese, “Our continued commitment to the Tomb Raider series and to Nintendo fans led us naturally to this project.
The success of both the Tomb Raider I-III Remastered and Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered collections highlighted a strong demand for Lara Croft’s modern saga.
With the imminent arrival of the Switch 2, it became the perfect opportunity to celebrate both the new hardware and the enduring legacy of the franchise, seamlessly transitioning Lara Croft across console generations.” The studio’s decision to execute a 'shadowdrop'—releasing the game without prior announcement—was a deliberate move aimed at energizing and rewarding the Nintendo community.
“We wanted to surprise our loyal players and foster genuine excitement.
Given how well prior remasters were received, an immediate, surprise launch was the perfect way to allow fans to drive the initial conversation.
Early responses on social platforms have affirmed that this was the right choice for such a crucial title,” Reese explained. Aspyr worked closely with Crystal Dynamics throughout the development cycle to ensure that the core vision of Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition was faithfully brought to Nintendo's hardware.
Reese noted, “Bringing Lara Croft to Nintendo Switch 2 was a collaborative effort.
Crystal Dynamics played a vital role in ensuring the authenticity and excitement of this release, supporting us every step of the way.” Addressing technical aspects, Reese discussed the approach behind the Switch 2 version’s architecture.
“While some have speculated that the Switch 2 build is based on the original Switch version, the reality is more nuanced.
We designed a flexible codebase to efficiently target both consoles simultaneously.
For the Switch 2, we focused on harnessing the new hardware to deliver smooth gameplay at a stable 60 frames per second.
Though some advanced graphic features from PS4 and Xbox One versions weren’t prioritized, the result is a visually appealing and highly playable experience—key for portable gaming.” One standout feature is the inclusion of the game’s multiplayer mode, which is often omitted in remasters.
Reese confirmed, “Delivering a comprehensive package has always been our goal, and Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is no exception.
The Nintendo community’s vibrant online scene made including multiplayer a natural decision.” Aspyr has also pledged to listen to community feedback and address any issues via post-launch patches.
“We actively monitor player feedback and plan to provide updates to enhance the experience across both consoles, especially regarding controls and graphical fidelity.
Players encountering problems are encouraged to contact Aspyr support,” Reese said. While Reese could not confirm future ports such as Rise of the Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider for Nintendo platforms, he recognized the strong fan demand: “We’ve heard the community’s interest clearly.
The positive reception of this release motivates us to continue exploring new possibilities, though we have nothing to announce at this time.” Regarding support for Nintendo Switch 2, Aspyr affirmed a strong commitment, with the new console representing a major part of their strategy moving forward.
The studio will evaluate future releases on a case-by-case basis, prioritizing quality and platform suitability, and remains open to updates or special editions for previous Switch titles. Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is available now for digital download via the Nintendo eShop on both Nintendo Switch 2 and the original Nintendo Switch, further cementing Lara Croft’s iconic journey as a bridge between console generations and a showcase for Nintendo’s gaming ecosystem.
Developed by Aspyr in close collaboration with Crystal Dynamics, this release brings Lara Croft’s acclaimed origin story to a new wave of players and continues Aspyr’s impressive legacy of delivering premium experiences on Nintendo platforms. Aspyr’s producer manager, Jordon Reese, shed light on the project’s origins and the studio’s motivations for bringing Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition to Switch and Switch 2 at this pivotal moment.
According to Reese, “Our continued commitment to the Tomb Raider series and to Nintendo fans led us naturally to this project.
The success of both the Tomb Raider I-III Remastered and Tomb Raider IV-VI Remastered collections highlighted a strong demand for Lara Croft’s modern saga.
With the imminent arrival of the Switch 2, it became the perfect opportunity to celebrate both the new hardware and the enduring legacy of the franchise, seamlessly transitioning Lara Croft across console generations.” The studio’s decision to execute a 'shadowdrop'—releasing the game without prior announcement—was a deliberate move aimed at energizing and rewarding the Nintendo community.
“We wanted to surprise our loyal players and foster genuine excitement.
Given how well prior remasters were received, an immediate, surprise launch was the perfect way to allow fans to drive the initial conversation.
Early responses on social platforms have affirmed that this was the right choice for such a crucial title,” Reese explained. Aspyr worked closely with Crystal Dynamics throughout the development cycle to ensure that the core vision of Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition was faithfully brought to Nintendo's hardware.
Reese noted, “Bringing Lara Croft to Nintendo Switch 2 was a collaborative effort.
Crystal Dynamics played a vital role in ensuring the authenticity and excitement of this release, supporting us every step of the way.” Addressing technical aspects, Reese discussed the approach behind the Switch 2 version’s architecture.
“While some have speculated that the Switch 2 build is based on the original Switch version, the reality is more nuanced.
We designed a flexible codebase to efficiently target both consoles simultaneously.
For the Switch 2, we focused on harnessing the new hardware to deliver smooth gameplay at a stable 60 frames per second.
Though some advanced graphic features from PS4 and Xbox One versions weren’t prioritized, the result is a visually appealing and highly playable experience—key for portable gaming.” One standout feature is the inclusion of the game’s multiplayer mode, which is often omitted in remasters.
Reese confirmed, “Delivering a comprehensive package has always been our goal, and Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is no exception.
The Nintendo community’s vibrant online scene made including multiplayer a natural decision.” Aspyr has also pledged to listen to community feedback and address any issues via post-launch patches.
“We actively monitor player feedback and plan to provide updates to enhance the experience across both consoles, especially regarding controls and graphical fidelity.
Players encountering problems are encouraged to contact Aspyr support,” Reese said. While Reese could not confirm future ports such as Rise of the Tomb Raider and Shadow of the Tomb Raider for Nintendo platforms, he recognized the strong fan demand: “We’ve heard the community’s interest clearly.
The positive reception of this release motivates us to continue exploring new possibilities, though we have nothing to announce at this time.” Regarding support for Nintendo Switch 2, Aspyr affirmed a strong commitment, with the new console representing a major part of their strategy moving forward.
The studio will evaluate future releases on a case-by-case basis, prioritizing quality and platform suitability, and remains open to updates or special editions for previous Switch titles. Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition is available now for digital download via the Nintendo eShop on both Nintendo Switch 2 and the original Nintendo Switch, further cementing Lara Croft’s iconic journey as a bridge between console generations and a showcase for Nintendo’s gaming ecosystem.
