Marvel Rivals: Switch 2 Dev Kit by Nintendo

The Marvel Rivals development team has not yet received the Nintendo Switch 2 dev kit. The information, which came to light after the game's reveal, indicates that NetEase, the publisher of the title, may be facing difficulties in securing the next generation Nintendo's development hardware. This situation raises questions about the distribution process of dev kits and Nintendo's strategy regarding new consoles and partnerships with third-party developers.

The absence of a dev kit for Marvel Rivals could delay the game's arrival on the Switch 2 or result in a version that does not fully utilize the potential of the new hardware, which would be a failure for both sides.

Obtaining a dev kit (development kit) is a fundamental step for any studio planning to release a game on a new platform. Without the proper development hardware and software, it is impossible to optimize the game, test its performance, and ensure that it runs smoothly on the target console. The lack of a Switch 2 dev kit for the Marvel Rivals team implies that, so far, NetEase cannot guarantee that the game will have a version for the new Nintendo console or, if it does, that it will be of high quality.

Nintendo is known for being selective in the distribution of its dev kits, especially for new consoles. The company seeks to ensure that partner studios can deliver experiences that align with their vision of gameplay and quality. However, excluding a major title like Marvel Rivals, which features Marvel characters and is a 6v6 multiplayer shooter, from early access to the Switch 2 dev kit is curious.

It is worth noting that the Nintendo Switch 2 has already shown strong initial sales performance, surpassing the 5 million units sold globally. In Japan, the console has sold almost double the units of the Xbox Series X/S. This means that the console has a vast and growing audience, and the absence of Marvel Rivals could represent a missed opportunity for NetEase.