A developer has made it clear: 007: First Light will not be pulling a Borderlands 4 on the upcoming Switch 2 hardware.
That’s the upside—here’s the catch. While Borderlands 4 remains the only major title to run natively on the Switch 2, the decision reflects a strategic shift in how developers approach next-gen consoles. The game will stick with the current Switch system, avoiding the need for a full rewrite or porting effort that could delay its release.
007: First Light is expected to launch in November 2024 on the original Switch hardware. This means players won’t see the performance boosts or graphical upgrades promised by the Switch 2, which includes faster CPUs, more RAM, and improved thermal management. The Switch 2, announced earlier this year, aims to extend the console’s lifespan with better efficiency, but its impact on existing titles is limited.
For developers, the move simplifies their workload. No need to optimize for a new architecture or risk compatibility issues. But it also means they’re missing out on the marketing buzz that comes with ‘next-gen’ labels. The Switch 2’s launch has been framed as a chance to refresh the library, yet most games will continue to target the original system.
The contrast with Borderlands 4 is stark. That game was designed from the ground up for the Switch 2, taking full advantage of its hardware to deliver smoother performance and higher resolutions. It’s a rare example of how next-gen systems can reshape a title’s development pipeline—something 007: First Light will avoid.
That leaves players with a mixed picture. Those waiting for 007: First Light won’t get the visual upgrades or performance tweaks the Switch 2 offers, but they also won’t face delays or compatibility hurdles. The real question is whether this trend—of sticking to proven systems—becomes the norm as developers weigh the risks and rewards of next-gen hardware.
