Subnautica 2: Early Access Details and Switch 2 Compatibility Insights

Subnautica 2, the highly anticipated sequel from developer Unknown Worlds, is generating significant buzz following its initial reveal in October 2024.

Building on the critically acclaimed foundations of Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero—both of which scored highly in industry and fan reviews—the franchise is celebrated for its immersive underwater survival mechanics and compelling narrative depth.

As development continues, many fans and industry experts are eager to understand whether Subnautica 2 might surface on Nintendo’s upcoming hardware, the Nintendo Switch 2. Unknown Worlds recently released detailed PC system requirements for Subnautica 2’s early access release, scheduled for launch ahead of the end of 2025.

The developer confirmed in a new Dev Vlog that they are committed to releasing within the 2025 window, dispelling concerns about potential delays into 2026. According to the newly published specifications, the recommended PC setup for Subnautica 2 includes a GeForce RTX 2060 or Radeon RX 5600 XT GPU, with minimum specs set at a GeForce GTX 1660 or RX 5500 XT.

Required memory ranges from a minimum of 8GB to a recommended 12GB of RAM, aligning with what is currently available in many mid-range gaming PCs. With growing excitement about the Nintendo Switch 2, hardware analysts have taken a closer look at whether the new console could handle a game of Subnautica 2’s scale and technical demands.

According to Nvidia, the Switch 2 is expected to offer a tenfold increase in power over its predecessor.

In assessments conducted by independent experts like Digital Foundry, early reports suggest the Switch 2’s GPU performance could be comparable to a mobile RTX 2050, and its custom Nvidia T239 processor is expected to deliver CPU performance in line with consoles such as the PlayStation 4 and Xbox Series S. Additionally, rumors indicate that the Switch 2 could feature 12GB of RAM—matching the recommended PC specification for Subnautica 2.

These hardware advancements potentially position Nintendo’s next-generation device as a strong candidate to support modern, visually intensive titles.

However, as is often the case, developers are adept at optimizing games beyond what raw specifications suggest, squeezing impressive results from the hardware. At this time, Unknown Worlds has not commented publicly on the possibility of bringing Subnautica 2 to Nintendo Switch 2 or other console platforms.

The focus remains on the PC early access launch, where the game is poised to attract significant interest across storefronts like Steam and the eShop, should a console release be confirmed in the future. As Subnautica 2’s development progresses, its early access phase on PC will provide critical feedback and insights for further optimization.

The strong commercial and critical performance of previous entries—including robust sales milestones and persistent community engagement—points to a bright future for the franchise.

For now, fans are encouraged to await official information from Unknown Worlds, with the assurance that whether on PC, Steam Deck, or potentially the Nintendo Switch 2, Subnautica 2 remains one of the most anticipated survival games in the current gaming landscape.

Nintendo Switch 2 Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch 2 PC Switch