Atari, Nightdive Studios and Eidos Montréal have confirmed that Thief: The Dark Project Remastered is in development for Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch, with a digital release planned on the Nintendo eShop in Winter 2026.
The remaster reimagines Looking Glass Studios’ 1998 title, a formative entry in the stealth genre, and brings the original’s emphasis on light and sound-based gameplay to Nintendo’s current handheld-home hybrid hardware.
Background and scope
Thief: The Dark Project originally launched in 1998 and established many stealth conventions that influenced later titles.
The remaster is being developed by Nightdive Studios using its KEX Engine and published by Atari, with Eidos Montréal providing oversight.
According to the announcement, the project modernises the original experience while retaining its core mechanics and atmosphere.
What’s been updated
Nightdive says the remaster carefully updates graphical textures, 3D models, cutscenes and animations.
The user interface has been refreshed and new accessibility and convenience features have been added, including a weapon and item wheel and a mission selector.
These changes aim to preserve the original level design and stealth systems while improving quality-of-life for contemporary players on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.
Developer comments (paraphrased)
Nightdive Studios CEO Stephen Kick framed the remaster as a preservation effort that enhances the original title for modern audiences, noting the team’s focus on maintaining the tension and intelligence that defined Thief’s stealth gameplay while updating technical and presentation elements.
Eidos Montréal general manager Patrice Baig highlighted Thief’s lasting influence on immersion and atmospheric storytelling and said the remaster ensures a new generation can experience what made the game influential.
Key gameplay features
- Advanced NPC AI with dynamic visibility and sound simulation; enemies react to movement and investigate disturbances
- Light-and-sound-based stealth mechanics, including tools to extinguish light sources and dampen noisy surfaces
- Stealth-focused combat options such as blackjack takedowns, gas mines and ranged stealth arrows
- Misdirection tools like flashbombs and noisemaker arrows to blind or distract guards
- A suite of thief tools, including lockpicks, rope arrows and remote cameras
The remaster’s announcement positions Thief: The Dark Project Remastered as a faithful update aimed at both longtime fans and newcomers on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.
The digital-only release on the Nintendo eShop is scheduled for Winter 2026.
The remaster reimagines Looking Glass Studios’ 1998 title, a formative entry in the stealth genre, and brings the original’s emphasis on light and sound-based gameplay to Nintendo’s current handheld-home hybrid hardware.
Background and scope
Thief: The Dark Project originally launched in 1998 and established many stealth conventions that influenced later titles.
The remaster is being developed by Nightdive Studios using its KEX Engine and published by Atari, with Eidos Montréal providing oversight.
According to the announcement, the project modernises the original experience while retaining its core mechanics and atmosphere.
What’s been updated
Nightdive says the remaster carefully updates graphical textures, 3D models, cutscenes and animations.
The user interface has been refreshed and new accessibility and convenience features have been added, including a weapon and item wheel and a mission selector.
These changes aim to preserve the original level design and stealth systems while improving quality-of-life for contemporary players on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.
Developer comments (paraphrased)
Nightdive Studios CEO Stephen Kick framed the remaster as a preservation effort that enhances the original title for modern audiences, noting the team’s focus on maintaining the tension and intelligence that defined Thief’s stealth gameplay while updating technical and presentation elements.
Eidos Montréal general manager Patrice Baig highlighted Thief’s lasting influence on immersion and atmospheric storytelling and said the remaster ensures a new generation can experience what made the game influential.
Key gameplay features
- Advanced NPC AI with dynamic visibility and sound simulation; enemies react to movement and investigate disturbances
- Light-and-sound-based stealth mechanics, including tools to extinguish light sources and dampen noisy surfaces
- Stealth-focused combat options such as blackjack takedowns, gas mines and ranged stealth arrows
- Misdirection tools like flashbombs and noisemaker arrows to blind or distract guards
- A suite of thief tools, including lockpicks, rope arrows and remote cameras
The remaster’s announcement positions Thief: The Dark Project Remastered as a faithful update aimed at both longtime fans and newcomers on Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch.
The digital-only release on the Nintendo eShop is scheduled for Winter 2026.
