Nintendo's latest eShop sale emphasizes third-party titles, while Switch 2 gears up for upcoming releases with active betas and new announcements.
In what appears to be a varied week for Nintendo enthusiasts, the company has rolled out a significant “Blockbuster Sale” on its eShop platforms for the Switch and Switch 2. As reported by Nintendo Everything, this sale notably shifts focus to third-party titles with discounts reaching up to 80%. Games like “Marvel Cosmic Invasion” and “Darwin’s Paradox” are highlighted, contrasting with Nintendo’s usual first-party-dominant sales. This move may indicate Nintendo’s strategy to bolster its platform’s third-party library, aligning with ongoing efforts to maintain the diverse content offerings of competing platforms.
Surprise and Scheduled Releases
“Touhou: Lost Branch of Legend,” a deck-building roguelike, has made an unexpected debut on the Nintendo Switch via a shadowdrop, as covered by Nintendo Everything. Originally launched in 2022, the game arrives without prior announcement, continuing a trend of sudden releases on the platform that keep fans on their toes.
In more predictable news, the anticipated game “Armatus,” developed by Counterplay Games and published by Fictions, has been officially dated for a Nintendo Switch 2 release. According to Nintendo Everything, the third-person roguelite shooter set amidst the ruins of a demon-infested Paris, will be available to Switch 2 users on January 7, 2027. This orderly announcement fits well within the typical lead time for major releases, giving players ample time to prepare.
“Call of Duty” Beta and Japanese Chart Dominance
The Nintendo Switch 2 is currently hosting an open beta for “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4,” as announced by a post on Nintendo Life. While the full game is set to launch on October 23, the beta offers players a preview of the “Entrenched” campaign mission and will soon expand to multiplayer modes starting August 28. This offers a much-needed glimpse into the game’s performance on the Switch’s updated hardware.
Continuing its strong sales performance in Japan, Nintendo’s high-profile titles—”Rhythm Heaven Groove,” “Splatoon Raiders,” and “Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream”—remain top contenders in the Japanese boxed charts, according to Nintendo Life. This success, combined with the developing narrative around the Switch 2’s strength in sales for cross-platform titles, showcases the console’s ongoing popularity more than half a decade after the original Switch’s debut.
Retail Nuances
An interesting development for those considering a physical purchase of “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4” on the Switch 2 comes via Nintendo Life: the physical release will be “code-in-box.” This means the retail package will merely contain a download code rather than a game cartridge, potentially influencing consumer purchasing decisions as traditional physical collectors and those with bandwidth concerns may reconsider such purchases.
