Ten days after the Nintendo Direct focused on the Nintendo Switch 2 and its catalog, we learned that one of the games presented will ultimately not be exclusive to the next Big N console. We explain!
Nintendo Switch 2: a game not so exclusive after all?
On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, the Japanese video game giant finally lifted the veil on its new console, the Nintendo Switch 2. Much more powerful than the previous hybrid console from Big N, correcting some of its flaws and incorporating a chat function, the Nintendo Switch 2 has nevertheless been at the heart of several controversies in recent days, following the revelation of its price (469 euros) and the price of some of its games (including Mario Kart World at 89.99 euros in its physical version). Decisions that can be explained by inflation, but which are difficult to understand from the point of view of consumers whose salaries have not increased accordingly and who fear that video games will become In short, a luxurious leisure activity reserved for the wealthiest people.
Another criticism of Nintendo is the few original games announced at the launch of the Switch 2. Indeed, apart from Mario Kart Worldon June 5, 2025, Donkey Kong Bananzaon July 17, Kirby Air Ridersand Hyrule Warriors: The Sealed Chronicles, announced for later in the year, Nintendo has not announced any other exclusives from their studios. Fans will have to make do with Nintendo Switch 2nd Edition games (updates of games from the first Nintendo Switch with better graphics and bonuses) as well as ports of AAA games released in the last five years, such as Cyberpunk 2077from Polish studio CD Projekt Red, Elden Ringfrom FromSoftware and Star Wars Outlaws.
However, one announcement has sparked a lot of reaction: the exclusive arrival of FromSoftware's next game, titled The Duskbloods. Directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, this game looks like Bloodborne 2. A nice surprise, especially since it's the first major collaboration between Nintendo and the Japanese studio behind Dark Souls and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. This PvPvE action role-playing game has been given an absolutely wonderful teaser, further demonstrating FromSoftware's immense talent for artistic direction and character design. Scheduled for 2026, The Duskbloods could convince some FromSoftware fans to buy the Nintendo Switch 2.
However, unlike What one might initially think, The Duskbloods is not a Nintendo property but a FromSoftware property, as indicated on the game's official website. In other words, the studio led by Hidetaka Miyazaki is free to offer the game on other platforms (PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PC). Everything suggests that FromSoftware and Nintendo have signed a partnership for a temporary exclusivity.
While this deal remains a hell of a blow by Big N (which got the scoop on a new license from a studio that won GOTY awards in 2019 and 2022), it's also a very well-negotiated deal from FromSoftware. Indeed, by retaining control over its license, the Japanese studio ensures absolute control over spin-off products, such as a potential film adaptation of the game. Indeed, George R.R. Martin recently mentioned that an adaptation of Elden Ring for film or television was in development.
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