Nintendo Switch 2 owners may not have much longer to wait for 007 First Light.
A new retailer listing has hinted at a September launch for the long-delayed port. This comes after IO Interactive postponed the game to improve performance on Nintendo’s latest handheld.
According to an Amazon Japan listing, the Specialist Edition of 007 First Light is scheduled to launch on September 16. While the date hasn’t been confirmed by IO Interactive or Nintendo, it lines up with the developer’s earlier promise that the Switch 2 version would arrive later this summer after additional optimisation work.
As with many retailer listings ahead of an official announcement, the date should still be treated with some caution. Retailers occasionally use placeholder release dates before publishers lock in a final schedule. Even so, the listing has fuelled speculation that an announcement could be close.
The product page also reveals another important detail for prospective buyers: the physical release will use Nintendo’s Game-Key Card format. This means the cartridge serves as a licence rather than containing the full game, so players will still need to download the title. The listing suggests the title will require more than 75GB of storage on the Switch 2.
That sizeable install isn’t entirely surprising given the game’s scope, and it’s also similar to the storage requirements seen on the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC versions. Nintendo’s current game cards top out at 64GB, making downloads necessary for larger games like this.
IO Interactive first announced the Switch 2 delay shortly before 007 First Light launched on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, with the studio later clarifying that it wanted additional time to optimise the game rather than release a compromised version. Speaking to The Game Business in May, CEO Hakan Abrak confirmed that a working Switch 2 build already existed and that development was focused on polishing performance.
The developer hasn’t confirmed what graphics modes the handheld version will offer, although many expect a locked 30fps target to ensure stable performance. Fans will also be hoping the port avoids the early stuttering issues that affected Hitman World of Assassination – another IO Interactive title that required several post-launch patches before delivering a smoother experience.
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