Nintendo Switch Dev Kit Leak Reveals Unreleased Ridge Racer and Retro Studios Projects

A major leak surrounding the Nintendo Switch development kit has brought to light an intriguing collection of unreleased games and early development builds, catching the attention of the gaming community and industry insiders alike.

The leak, first discussed on the popular r/GamingLeaksAndRumours subreddit, has revealed scrapped projects from acclaimed developers such as Bandai Namco and Retro Studios, as well as unused game concepts like “LEGO Civilization.” The detailed post, originally shared by Reddit user capitalggamer1, lists several titles supposedly found on official Switch dev kits.

Among them are development builds for an unreleased Ridge Racer installment, a mysterious new project from Retro Studios, a prototype version of “LEGO Civilization,” and debugging builds for recognized Nintendo Switch games Splatoon 2 and ARMS.

The accompanying evidence includes screenshots and rudimentary gameplay clips, some of which were captured using the Switch emulator Ryujinx, purportedly showcasing Retro Studios’ internally titled “Project Harmony.” Footage from Project Harmony offers a glimpse into early production at Retro Studios.

This early build centers around 3D platforming mechanics and introduces a unique gameplay element involving the summoning of magical creatures.

While this project never advanced to public release, it provides insight into the creative avenues Retro Studios was exploring prior to reprioritizing work on major franchises like Metroid Prime.

"While unfinished and obviously a prototype, Project Harmony highlights the studio’s ongoing innovation before shifting focus," summarizes coverage of the leak. The leaked dev kit also included apparent evidence of a new Ridge Racer title, with gameplay footage from early 2017.

According to credible sources, Bandai Namco developed this unreleased entry using Unreal Engine 4, aligning with the company’s history of technical advancement on Nintendo platforms.

The footage, shared by Twitter user resethepicture, displays a refined racing experience that seemingly was shelved before reaching completion. While fans may be disappointed that these ambitious projects never appeared on the Nintendo eShop, there is some consolation.

Last week, HAMSTER Corporation announced that the celebrated original Ridge Racer from PlayStation will make its way to Switch 2 as part of the Arcade Archives series.

The classic title joins the eShop lineup on June 5, 2025, marking the first time the PlayStation classic is officially available on a Nintendo console. These revelations from the Nintendo Switch dev kit offer a rare window into the hardware’s development era and the diverse visions that various studios considered for the platform.

As Bandai Namco and Retro Studios continue to shape the gaming landscape, the community remains eager to learn more about unseen projects and the creative processes behind modern classics.

Retro Studios Bandai Namco Ridge Racer Nintendo Switch Namco Bandai Nintendo Switch