Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero Set to Launch on Nintendo Switch 2 February 17, 2026
Krafton has officially confirmed that the acclaimed underwater survival horror titles, Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero, are making their way to Nintendo Switch 2 on February 17, 2026.
Developed by Unknown Worlds Entertainment and published by Krafton, both games have captivated millions of players worldwide with their intense underwater exploration and survival gameplay, and now, Nintendo fans are set to experience them with significant enhancements on the latest hardware. Subnautica and its sequel, Subnautica: Below Zero, first appeared on the Nintendo Switch back in May 2021, bringing the atmospheric world of planet 4546B to a portable platform for the first time.
The arrival of these titles on Switch 2 marks a major milestone, as it not only welcomes a new generation of players but also gives longtime fans a fresh, more immersive experience.
Commenting in a recent press release, Michael Verrette, Producer at Unknown Worlds, explained that launching Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero for Nintendo Switch 2 is about expanding the community, allowing new players to discover these unique worlds while providing returning fans the opportunity to enjoy the games with smoother and more immersive performance. As a major benefit for current owners, Krafton has confirmed that upgrades to the Switch 2 Editions will be available at no additional cost to those who already own either game on Nintendo Switch.
This ensures that players who have previously purchased Subnautica or Subnautica: Below Zero can take full advantage of the technical advancements without any extra investment.
Pricing for new purchases of the Switch 2 Editions has yet to be announced. Both games will take full advantage of the Switch 2’s improved hardware capabilities, offering 1440p resolution and 60 frames per second in docked mode, and 1080p at 60fps when played in handheld mode.
The enhanced editions also feature refined and optimized controls, promising greater precision in movement and interaction, potentially including support for advanced control modes.
These improvements deliver a richer, more visually stunning and responsive experience, allowing the alien depths and threats of planet 4546B to shine as never before on a Nintendo console. For those new to the series, Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero offer survival-based exploration set on a mysterious, water-covered alien planet.
Players craft equipment, pilot submarines, and outsmart wildlife across diverse biomes such as coral reefs, volcanic caves, and frozen terrain.
Resource management, habitat building, and unraveling the planet’s secrets are central to both titles, with an ever-present challenge of surviving in a world where every creature sees you as its next meal. While a further sequel, Subnautica 2, is due for Early Access later in 2026, there are currently no plans for a Nintendo Switch 2 release.
Krafton’s stewardship of the Subnautica franchise since its acquisition of Unknown Worlds Entertainment in 2022 has been notable, despite ongoing legal disputes and recent headlines around its shift toward AI-driven initiatives. Nintendo Switch 2 owners can look forward to diving deep into Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero starting February 17, 2026, with free, feature-rich upgrades for existing Switch players and optimized gameplay that showcases the best of these atmospheric survival adventures.
Developed by Unknown Worlds Entertainment and published by Krafton, both games have captivated millions of players worldwide with their intense underwater exploration and survival gameplay, and now, Nintendo fans are set to experience them with significant enhancements on the latest hardware. Subnautica and its sequel, Subnautica: Below Zero, first appeared on the Nintendo Switch back in May 2021, bringing the atmospheric world of planet 4546B to a portable platform for the first time.
The arrival of these titles on Switch 2 marks a major milestone, as it not only welcomes a new generation of players but also gives longtime fans a fresh, more immersive experience.
Commenting in a recent press release, Michael Verrette, Producer at Unknown Worlds, explained that launching Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero for Nintendo Switch 2 is about expanding the community, allowing new players to discover these unique worlds while providing returning fans the opportunity to enjoy the games with smoother and more immersive performance. As a major benefit for current owners, Krafton has confirmed that upgrades to the Switch 2 Editions will be available at no additional cost to those who already own either game on Nintendo Switch.
This ensures that players who have previously purchased Subnautica or Subnautica: Below Zero can take full advantage of the technical advancements without any extra investment.
Pricing for new purchases of the Switch 2 Editions has yet to be announced. Both games will take full advantage of the Switch 2’s improved hardware capabilities, offering 1440p resolution and 60 frames per second in docked mode, and 1080p at 60fps when played in handheld mode.
The enhanced editions also feature refined and optimized controls, promising greater precision in movement and interaction, potentially including support for advanced control modes.
These improvements deliver a richer, more visually stunning and responsive experience, allowing the alien depths and threats of planet 4546B to shine as never before on a Nintendo console. For those new to the series, Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero offer survival-based exploration set on a mysterious, water-covered alien planet.
Players craft equipment, pilot submarines, and outsmart wildlife across diverse biomes such as coral reefs, volcanic caves, and frozen terrain.
Resource management, habitat building, and unraveling the planet’s secrets are central to both titles, with an ever-present challenge of surviving in a world where every creature sees you as its next meal. While a further sequel, Subnautica 2, is due for Early Access later in 2026, there are currently no plans for a Nintendo Switch 2 release.
Krafton’s stewardship of the Subnautica franchise since its acquisition of Unknown Worlds Entertainment in 2022 has been notable, despite ongoing legal disputes and recent headlines around its shift toward AI-driven initiatives. Nintendo Switch 2 owners can look forward to diving deep into Subnautica and Subnautica: Below Zero starting February 17, 2026, with free, feature-rich upgrades for existing Switch players and optimized gameplay that showcases the best of these atmospheric survival adventures.
