After numerous rumors and leaks, Ubisoft has officially confirmed the highly anticipated release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows for the Nintendo Switch 2! Players can mark their calendars for December 2nd, when the game will launch with a price tag of $59.99 / £49.99.
This Nintendo Switch 2 edition will come packed with all existing content updates released since the game’s initial launch. Players can also look forward to seamless cross-progression across all platforms and enhanced touch screen support, making menu navigation, map exploration, and hideout management more intuitive than ever before.
However, there’s a crucial detail: Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Switch 2 will be a ‘Game-Key Card’ release. This means that even with a physical purchase, players will need to download the full game before they can start playing. This format has ignited considerable discussion among the gaming community, as these cards are effectively unusable without an internet connection for the initial download.
Official Announcement Trailer for Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Nintendo Switch 2
An official announcement trailer for Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Nintendo Switch 2 was also shared, showcasing the game’s visuals and gameplay adapted for the new console.
This decision around Game-Key Cards is not unique. Earlier in September, a developer from Ubisoft, who previously worked on the Nintendo Switch 2 port of Star Wars Outlaws, explained that the adoption of these cards was primarily influenced by the console’s data speeds. Games downloaded to internal memory tend to perform better than those read directly from bespoke cartridges.
Echoing this sentiment, Naoki Hamaguchi, director of the Final Fantasy VII Remake trilogy, suggested that developers opt for Game-Key Cards for performance benefits rather than cost savings, as this format can lead to smoother gameplay experiences on the Switch 2. Nintendo itself has recently engaged its user base with a survey, seeking feedback on their preferences for digital versus physical games, especially regarding these new Game-Key Cards.
In Assassin’s Creed Shadows, players embark on an epic journey through Feudal Japan, choosing to embody either a stealthy Shinobi or a formidable Samurai. The game’s open world promises breathtaking castle towns, lively ports, serene shrines, and picturesque landscapes. Our review gave Assassin’s Creed Shadows an impressive 8/10, noting that “By sharpening the edges of its existing systems, Assassin’s Creed Shadows creates one of the best versions of the open-world style it’s been honing for the last decade.”
Explore the Complete Assassin’s Creed Timeline
For those interested in the rich history of the Assassin’s Creed universe, a comprehensive timeline is available, detailing events from the ancient Isu era through to the Peloponnesian War, Ptolemaic Egypt, the Islamic Golden Age, and the Viking invasion of England. This timeline helps place Assassin’s Creed Shadows within the broader narrative.
In related news, Marc-Alexis Côté, the long-standing boss of the Assassin’s Creed franchise, recently left Ubisoft after over two decades with the company. He later clarified that his departure was not a personal choice, expressing no resentment but emphasizing that he did not leave the franchise voluntarily after 15 years.
Côté’s statement aimed to inform former colleagues and fans that his exit was not by his own volition, despite holding no resentment. This significant change followed closely after Assassin’s Creed, one of Ubisoft’s flagship brands, was moved under the operation of Vantage Studios. This new business entity was established by Ubisoft with a 25% investment from Chinese tech giant Tencent, and will also manage future titles in the Far Cry and Rainbow Six franchises.
Vikki Blake is a seasoned reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant with over 15 years of experience in the gaming industry. Her contributions have appeared on many prominent gaming platforms. She identifies as a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and is known for her perpetually ‘High Chaos’ gaming style.