IO Interactive's 007 First Light Bringing James Bond to Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026

IO Interactive, the acclaimed studio behind the Hitman franchise, is set to usher in a new era for James Bond in gaming with '007 First Light,' scheduled to release on Nintendo Switch 2 on March 27, 2026.

This ambitious project marks the iconic spy’s highly anticipated return to consoles, with IO Interactive leading development and bringing their signature stealth-action expertise to the world-famous franchise. Following years of anticipation since their initial announcement, IO Interactive recently unveiled gameplay footage offering players a first look at what to expect from 007 First Light.

The footage showcased rich, atmospheric environments and the characteristic open-ended gameplay that Hitman fans have come to expect, now coupled with the style and charisma of the James Bond universe. In a recent interview with IGN, game director Hakan Abrak shared insights into the unconventional but fitting way IO Interactive secured the video game rights to James Bond.

Abrak revealed that the team created an early demo by digitally placing the likeness of actor Daniel Craig, renowned for portraying Bond, onto the body model of Agent 47 from Hitman: World of Assassination.

This prototype allowed the developers to demonstrate to rights holders what a fully realized Bond game could look like within an IO Interactive sandbox, reimagining iconic gameplay moments—such as infiltrating the Sapienza level from Hitman (2016)—from a Bond perspective. "For demonstration purposes, we modeled Daniel Craig's head onto Agent 47’s body.

It was meant to convey the depth of our interactive environments and how we could bring Bond to life in unique and immersive ways," explained Abrak.

He went on to note that the demo, which utilized familiar Hitman locales, was warmly received and played a major role in IO Interactive being entrusted with the Bond license. Abrak emphasized that 007 First Light aims to provide a comprehensive Bond experience beyond simple action and cutscenes.

The game will allow players to navigate social spaces, relying on Bond’s wit, charm, and cunning to overcome objectives—mirroring how the character often solves problems in the films.

“Our vision is to deliver a 360-degree Bond fantasy, enabling players to blend action with the art of espionage, stealth, and social maneuvering,” Abrak noted. 007 First Light will be available on Nintendo Switch 2, with a standard edition retailing at $69.99 / €69.99 / £59.99, and a deluxe edition priced at $79.99 / €79.99 / £69.99.

Players can expect a blend of classic James Bond flair and innovative gameplay mechanics, further cementing IO Interactive’s reputation as masters of the stealth and action genre.

As the release date approaches, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be one of the standout Nintendo Switch 2 titles of 2026.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo IO Interactive Switch 2 James Bond Switch Hitman 007 First Light developer Daniel Craig Hakan Abrak IGN