Seed Lab has officially announced that its upcoming life-simulation title, Starsand Island, will debut exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2.
Scheduled for release in early 2026, the game promises to leverage the enhanced capabilities of Nintendo’s highly anticipated next-generation hardware, delivering an upgraded experience tailor-made for both home and handheld play. Starsand Island is the latest creation from Seed Lab, renowned for their innovative approach to cozy and immersive gaming experiences.
In the game, players take on the role of a city dweller seeking rejuvenation on their childhood island.
The journey is centered on personal healing and connection, offering opportunities to farm, fish, care for animals, discover ancient ruins, and interact with a cast of unique island residents.
The blend of relaxing gameplay and exploration has already garnered interest from fans of the life-sim genre. In terms of technical features, Starsand Island on Nintendo Switch 2 will offer both a Quality Mode and a Performance Mode: players can choose to play at 45 frames per second (FPS) with full 1080p resolution in Quality Mode, or enjoy a smoother experience at 60FPS while retaining the same 1080p resolution in Performance Mode.
Notably, these technical options will be available in both docked and handheld modes, making the experience seamless across play styles.
Additional support for in-game GameChat during online multiplayer sessions and compatibility with mouse controls mark a first for Seed Lab’s titles on Nintendo platforms, highlighting the developer’s commitment to accessibility and player interaction. Speaking on the announcement, Creative Director Richardo Wang stated, “Our vision has always been to bring Starsand Island to Nintendo Switch 2.
The life-sim genre is perfectly at home on Nintendo consoles.
We’ve aimed to create a world where players can escape, whether they choose to play at home, on their commute, or during a quick break.” Wang’s comments reinforce Seed Lab’s dedication to making Starsand Island a flexible, relaxing experience on Nintendo’s next-generation system. Originally, there were discussions about a version for the original Nintendo Switch.
However, Seed Lab has now confirmed that Starsand Island will be a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, with prior plans for the earlier hardware officially shelved.
This move ensures the team can focus on utilizing the full power and modern features of the forthcoming console, optimizing the game for next-gen standards. For players eager to glimpse what awaits, Seed Lab has released a trailer showcasing early gameplay footage for Starsand Island on Switch 2.
With its thoughtful design and robust technical features, Starsand Island is set to be a standout entry in the life simulation genre when it arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 platforms in early 2026.
Scheduled for release in early 2026, the game promises to leverage the enhanced capabilities of Nintendo’s highly anticipated next-generation hardware, delivering an upgraded experience tailor-made for both home and handheld play. Starsand Island is the latest creation from Seed Lab, renowned for their innovative approach to cozy and immersive gaming experiences.
In the game, players take on the role of a city dweller seeking rejuvenation on their childhood island.
The journey is centered on personal healing and connection, offering opportunities to farm, fish, care for animals, discover ancient ruins, and interact with a cast of unique island residents.
The blend of relaxing gameplay and exploration has already garnered interest from fans of the life-sim genre. In terms of technical features, Starsand Island on Nintendo Switch 2 will offer both a Quality Mode and a Performance Mode: players can choose to play at 45 frames per second (FPS) with full 1080p resolution in Quality Mode, or enjoy a smoother experience at 60FPS while retaining the same 1080p resolution in Performance Mode.
Notably, these technical options will be available in both docked and handheld modes, making the experience seamless across play styles.
Additional support for in-game GameChat during online multiplayer sessions and compatibility with mouse controls mark a first for Seed Lab’s titles on Nintendo platforms, highlighting the developer’s commitment to accessibility and player interaction. Speaking on the announcement, Creative Director Richardo Wang stated, “Our vision has always been to bring Starsand Island to Nintendo Switch 2.
The life-sim genre is perfectly at home on Nintendo consoles.
We’ve aimed to create a world where players can escape, whether they choose to play at home, on their commute, or during a quick break.” Wang’s comments reinforce Seed Lab’s dedication to making Starsand Island a flexible, relaxing experience on Nintendo’s next-generation system. Originally, there were discussions about a version for the original Nintendo Switch.
However, Seed Lab has now confirmed that Starsand Island will be a Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive, with prior plans for the earlier hardware officially shelved.
This move ensures the team can focus on utilizing the full power and modern features of the forthcoming console, optimizing the game for next-gen standards. For players eager to glimpse what awaits, Seed Lab has released a trailer showcasing early gameplay footage for Starsand Island on Switch 2.
With its thoughtful design and robust technical features, Starsand Island is set to be a standout entry in the life simulation genre when it arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 platforms in early 2026.
