Nintendo Switch 2 Dev Kit Access: Reports Highlight Selective Strategy Ahead of Nintendo Direct Reveal

As anticipation mounts ahead of the official Nintendo Switch 2 reveal during the forthcoming Nintendo Direct, industry conversations have intensified regarding Nintendo’s approach to distributing dev kits for its highly anticipated hardware successor.

The Nintendo Switch 2, the next major console from the Kyoto-based gaming giant, is poised to carry forward the company’s hybrid platform legacy that began with the Nintendo Switch in 2017.

With over 125 million Switch units sold worldwide, Nintendo faces high expectations for both hardware innovation and an engaging software lineup at launch. Recent reports, including commentary from Digital Foundry’s John Linneman, have brought to light the current status of Switch 2 dev kit availability.

Linneman, known for his detailed hardware analysis, explained that a significant share of medium to small-sized game developers still have not been granted access to Switch 2 development hardware.

According to Linneman, while major third-party publishers are expected to participate early on, “a lot of medium to small developers still do not have access to development hardware,” which could limit the diversity of the launch window software lineup.

He further elaborated that Nintendo appears to be exercising caution and is “very selective” in determining which partners can develop for the new console at this stage. Industry insider Imran Khan provided further perspective on Nintendo’s guarded approach.

Writing on ResetEra, Khan pointed to Embracer Group—an influential third-party publisher with a wide array of subsidiaries—as a notable example of a company excluded from initial dev kit distribution.

Khan indicated that Nintendo labeled some organizations as too "chaotic," referencing recent patterns of abrupt studio closures within Embracer Group.

According to Khan, Nintendo’s decision aims to prevent scenarios where valuable development hardware could become unaccounted for due to studio shutdowns or internal management turmoil. These insights align with earlier reports suggesting Nintendo has devised a phased strategy for accessing the Switch 2 dev kits.

If accurate, this phased approach could see a broader cohort of third-party studios receiving kits as late as June 2025, preparing for a subsequent wave of software support following the console’s launch phase.

Such a strategy would allow Nintendo to closely manage its partnerships and security while incrementally expanding its developer ecosystem. With the dedicated Nintendo Direct poised to showcase the future of Nintendo’s hardware and software, both third-party developers and the global player base are keenly observing how these distribution policies will shape the Switch 2’s debut on the eShop and in retail channels.

Nintendo’s careful handling of development assets underscores a broader industry trend toward safeguarding intellectual property and strategic partnerships in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Stay tuned to industry channels for real-time updates from the Nintendo Direct presentation, and follow developments as more information surfaces about the Nintendo Switch 2’s launch lineup, developer access, and the ongoing legacy of the Nintendo Switch platform.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo Nintendo Direct Switch 2 Switch third-party developers developers John Linneman Digital Foundry Imran Khan ResetEra Embracer Group eShop