Wikipedia

List of cancelled Nintendo Switch games

The Nintendo Switch is a video game console launched by Nintendo in 2017. After the poor commercial performance of their prior video game console, the Wii U, Nintendo decided to take a different approach with their next system. Struggling to support both the Wii U and their handheld video game console, the Nintendo 3DS, they opted to create a hybrid video game console that could be played both as a traditional console hooked up to a television, and as a handheld. The approach was a success, with the Switch passing over 150 million sold, making it one of the best selling consoles of all-time. However, its different build, and weaker hardware compared to its competitors, did lead to game cancellation. This list documents games that were confirmed for the Switch at some point, but did not end up being released for it in any capacity.[1][2][3]

Games

edit

There are currently 27 games on this list.[a]

List of cancelled Nintendo Switch games
Title(s) Notes/Reasons Developer Publisher
BallisticNG A Wipeout-inspired racing game originally released on PC platforms in 2018, a Switch version was in development for multiple years. However, the game ran on the Unity game engine, and was cancelled in 2023 in response to its controversial run-time fee announced that year.[4] Neognosis Neognosis
Crash Team Rumble A online multiplayer video game starring Crash Bandicoot was released for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S in 2023. A Nintendo Switch version intended for a later release was in development, but was cancelled due to poor critical and commercial reception of the released versions.[5] Toys for Bob Activision
Decapolice The game was first announced in 2023 as a JRPG where you play as a fictional police officer who negotiates with criminals instead of always fighting them. Originally intended for release for the PlayStation 4 and original Switch in 2024, repeated delays into 2025 and 2026 saw both of those platforms dropped in favor of Switch 2 and PlayStation 5 releases.[6][7] Level-5 Level-5
Donkey Kong Bananza Development initially began for the Nintendo Switch, but upon learning of the Nintendo Switch 2, the team decided to push the game to the newer system, believing it would be better able to handle the gameplay concepts they sought to implement.[8] Nintendo Nintendo
Donkey Kong Freedom While never publicly announced by any of the companies involved, Nintendo, reportedly impressed by Vicarious Visions and Activision's handling of Donkey Kong and Bowser in the Wii U version of Skylanders: SuperChargers (2015), greenlit Vicarious Visions to develop a new Donkey Kong game the following year for the Switch. Plans included it being a 3D platformer, with an emphasis on Tony Hawk's Pro Skater-like grinding across tree vines. The game was in development for around six months, but cancelled upon Activision's to focus more of its development teams on the Call of Duty franchise.[9][10] Vicarious Visions Activision
The Duskbloods Development originally began on the original Switch, but was moved to the Switch 2 after the development team was given access its the superior hardware power, where its scheduled to release in 2026.[11] FromSoftware FromSoftware
Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered A remaster of Dynasty Warriors 3 (2001) was announced in September 2025 for Nintendo Switch, among other platforms, planned for release in March 2026. Two months before release, Koei Tecmo announced that the game would be delayed indefinitely for quality control reasons. In June, it was confirmed that the game would launch the following October, and that it would no longer be releasing on the original Switch.[12][13] Omega Force Koei Tecmo
Evil Dead: The Game Originally released for Windows, PlayStation, and Xbox platforms in 2022, a Switch version was set to follow, but was cancelled in September 2023, alongside future content updates. The restructuring program of Embracer Group was named a possible reason by the press.[14][15] Saber Interactive Boss Team Games
Final Fantasy XV Director Hajime Tabata stated that Square Enix attempted to get the game up and running on the Switch hardware in 2017, but were unable to get it performing well enough to warrant releasing it. A port of Final Fantasy XV: Pocket Edition was released for the Switch in 2018 instead.[16] Square Enix Square Enix
Football Manager 25 The 2025 iteration of the yearly Football Manager franchise was delayed twice before eventually being cancelled outright. The developers cited internal concerns about its quality, and that any further delays would move it too far the past the start of the current football season. The team instead deciding to cancel the game in favor of focusing on the 2026 iteration.[17][18] Sports Interactive Sega
Harmony A game in development by Retro Studios that involved playing as a fairy that could transform its appearance in order to solve puzzles. While never officially announced, it reportedly featured a protracted, difficult development cycle in which they were not happy with progress after years of work, eventually leading to its cancellation. In 2025, a playable build was found on an early dev kit and leaked onto the internet.[19] Retro Studios Nintendo
Hyper Sports R First announced at E3 2018, the game was in development for two years before being cancelled in June 2020. Konami only said that it was cancelled due to "various circumstances".[20] Konami Konami
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Development of the title began on the original Switch, but was cancelled in favor of a 2025 Nintendo Switch 2 release once the development team tested the game on the stronger hardware and saw that the smoother frames per second helped improve their overall enjoyment of the gameplay.[21] AAA Games Studio Koei Tecmo/Nintendo
Kena: Bridge of Spirits Following its initial release in 2021 on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, the development team explored making a Nintendo Switch version of the game. The team was able to get the game running on it in a playable state, but the team felt it took too many cuts to the game's performance and art style to get there, and cancelled it. The time spent attempting a Switch version did streamline and speed up efforts to release the game for the Switch 2 instead in 2026.[22] Ember Lab Ember Lab
Lego/Civilization crossover In 2025, in a leak of an old Switch dev kit, there was content indicating that a video game crossover between the Lego and Civilization video game franchises was in development. A title screen was found, though the game itself was not playable or bootable beyond the start up screen.[19]
Mario Kart World Development of the title began in March 2017, shortly after the release of the Switch. The game was in development for several years, but the development team was unable to get the game's premise—open world racing and 24-player races—to run well on the original Switch hardware. Following the introduction of the "Booster Course Pass" downloadable content for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, development shifted to the Nintendo Switch 2, where it released on June 5, 2025.[23][24] Nintendo Nintendo
Marvel's Midnight Suns Announced in 2021, versions for PlayStation and Xbox platforms released across 2022 and 2023, while the Switch version was announced as "no longer planned" in May 2023. While no official reason was given, poor sales on other platforms and difficulties porting the game to the Switch's hardware were noted as likely reasons by publications.[25][26] Firaxis Games 2K
Occultic;Nine: New World A video game adaptation of the light novel Occultic;Nine was released in Japan for PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and Xbox One in 2017 to poor reception. A revised version titled New World was announced in 2018, planned as free DLC that would address issues and add new content, with New World also set to release as a standalone Switch title. It was quietly cancelled in August 2022.[27] Mages Mages
Pathfinder: Kingmaker Released on PC platforms in 2018, console versions were announced for 2020. While PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions were released, the Switch version was cancelled.[28][29] Owlcat Games Deep Silver
Persona 3 Reload A remake of Persona 3 (2006), was released in 2024 for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Windows. Atlus producer Kazuhisa Wada stated it was originally planned to launch on Nintendo Switch alongside the other versions, but development was stalled due to technical constraints that would've required reworking UI and art elements to tailor the game around the console's limitations. When a simultaneous release with other platforms was determined to be impossible, the Switch version was cancelled, though a version for the Switch 2 was later released the following year.[30][31] P-Studio Sega
Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire Released for PC platforms in 2018, with console versions to follow, a Switch version did not launch alongside PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions in 2020. In 2022, the Switch version was officially cancelled, with developers citing difficulties in getting the game running on the system.[32] Obsidian Entertainment Versus Evil
Pokémon Legends: Ho-Oh and Lugia Among internal documents seized from developer Game Freak during a ransomware attack on the company in 2024, were plans that the studio was initially planning for their second entry in the Pokémon Legends sub-series following Arceus (2022) to comprise two games set in the Johto region from Pokémon Gold and Silver (1999).[33] They were proposed as an origin story for the first Pokémon Trainers and involving the protagonist journeying to the "Burned Tower", a predecessor to the Bell Tower perched on by Ho-Oh. The game was cancelled in favor of developing and releasing Pokémon Legends: Z-A (2025) for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2.[34] Game Freak Nintendo / The Pokémon Company
Ratatan Originally announced in 2023 as a multiplatform release that included a Switch version, in March 2026, developer Ratata Arts announced that the Switch version had been dropped in favor of a Switch 2 version due to performance problems encountered in the game's multiplayer gameplay.[35][36] Ratata Arts Game Source Entertainment
Untitled Ridge Racer game In 2025, an old Switch dev kit was found to have an unannounced entry from the Ridge Racer franchise being worked on for the Switch. The content found was dated back to 2017, and as such, was considered to be cancelled and no longer an active project from publications. The early build was in a rough state, but was playable, with footage leaking onto the internet.[19] Bandai Namco Studios Singapore Bandai Namco
RoboCop: Rogue City A video game based on the Robocop franchise was announced for the Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC platforms in 2022, though the Switch version was cancelled one month prior to the game's release. While no official reason was given, IGN felt that the game was too ambitious for the Switch's hardware.[37][38] Teyon Nacon
Sengoku Night Blood A Switch version of the 2017 mobile game was announced, but was later cancelled in October 2019 due to "various circumstances". The mobile version terminated service two months later.[39] Idea Factory Marvelous
Steep One of the first third party games announced for the Switch prior to launch, it was later cancelled in August 2018 in favor of providing live service content to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions instead.[40][41] Ubisoft Annecy Ubisoft

Notes

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  1. ↑ This number is always up to date by this script.

References

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  1. ↑ "DF Retro: Revisiting Sega's Nomad". Digital Foundry. May 13, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  2. ↑ Yurieff, Kaya (November 9, 2017). "Nintendo exec: Failed Wii U is responsible for Switch's success". CNN. Archived from the original on February 22, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  3. ↑ Bonthuys, Darryn (February 4, 2025). "Nintendo Breaks 13-Year Record With New Switch Sales Figures". GameSpot. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  4. ↑ Scullion, Chris (September 25, 2023). "Switch game cancelled over controversial Unity changes". Video Games Chronicle. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  5. ↑ Doolan, Liam (August 25, 2024). "Crash Team Rumble Was Reportedly In Development For Switch But Got Cancelled". Nintendo Life. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
  6. ↑ Bueno, Daniel (March 18, 2023). "Level-5 President Talks About Upcoming Games". Siliconera. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  7. ↑ Lada, Jenni (April 10, 2026). "Decapolice Won't Be on the Switch or PS4, Will Be on Switch 2". Siliconera. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  8. ↑ Valentine, Rebekah (July 10, 2025). "Our Big Bananas Interview With the Developers of Donkey Kong Bananza". IGN. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  9. ↑ Blake, Vikki (May 5, 2024). "Activision's Vicarious Visions worked on a cancelled 3D Donkey Kong game". Eurogamer. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  10. ↑ Middler, Jordan (May 5, 2024). "Activision studio Vicarious Visions was working on a Donkey Kong game, it's claimed". Video Games Chronicle. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Creator's Voice blog: Hidetaka Miyazaki on The Duskbloods (part 1)". Nintendo Official Site. April 4, 2025. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  12. ↑ Romano, Sal (2026-01-26). "Dynasty Warriors 3: Complete Edition Remastered delayed to unannounced date". Gematsu. Retrieved 2026-06-03.
  13. ↑ Doolan, Liam (June 3, 2026). "Dynasty Warriors 3 Remaster Gets Switch 2 Release Date, Switch Version Cancelled". Nintendo Life. Retrieved June 3, 2026.
  14. ↑ Peppiatt, Dom (May 19, 2022). "Evil Dead: The Game sells 500,000 units in under a week – perfect timing for Embracer Group". VG247. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  15. ↑ Sirani, Jordan (September 20, 2023). "Evil Dead: The Game Not Making New Updates, Switch Version Canceled". IGN. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  16. ↑ Skrebels, Joe (September 4, 2017). "Square Enix Tried Running Final Fantasy XV's Engine on Switch". IGN. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  17. ↑ Millar, Colin (February 6, 2025). "Football Manager 2025 cancelled 'following extensive internal discussion' – Sports Interactive". The Athletic. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
  18. ↑ Welsh, Oli (February 7, 2025). "Football Manager 25 canceled just weeks before March release". Polygon.com. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  19. 1 2 3 Middler, Jordan (2025-04-07). "Unreleased Nintendo games allegedly leak online, including Ridge Racer and Retro Studios prototype". VGC. Retrieved 2026-02-19.
  20. ↑ Singh, Surej (June 11, 2020). "Konami cancels its Nintendo Switch exclusive, 'Hyper Sports R'". NME. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  21. ↑ "『ゼルダ無双 封印戦記』の開発はコーエーテクモの"AAAスタジオ"。世界中に"正拳突き"のようなド直球のゲームを届けたい。Switch2はスペックアップで、ゲームのおもしろさが一気にアップ". Famitsu (in Japanese). May 4, 2026. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  22. ↑ Woods, Sam (May 5, 2026). "Kena: Bridge Of Spirits Was Due On The Original Switch, But It Would Have Been "A Negative Experience"". TheGamer. Retrieved May 5, 2026.
  23. ↑ Phillips, Tom (May 21, 2025). "Mario Kart World Began Development on Switch 1 and Suffered Performance Struggles, Until Switch 2 Delay Offered 'Ray of Hope'". IGN. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  24. ↑ Serin, Kaan (May 21, 2025). "Mario Kart World started development as an OG Switch game in 2017, but went open-world because MK 8 Deluxe perfected "the formula that we'd been following" for 25 years". GamesRadar+. Retrieved May 21, 2025.
  25. ↑ Leston, Ryan (May 2, 2023). "Marvel's Midnight Suns Switch Version Officially Canceled". IGN. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  26. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (May 2, 2023). "Marvel's Midnight Suns Switch version scrapped". Polygon. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  27. ↑ Joshua, Orpheus (August 1, 2022). "Occultic;Nine: New World Officially Canceled". Noisy Pixel. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  28. ↑ "THQ Nordic Interim Report • 1 January – 30 September 2018" (PDF). Embracer Group. November 17, 2018. Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  29. ↑ "Pathfinder: Kingmaker - Definitive Edition". Metacritic.
  30. ↑ "少しでも早くSwitch2ユーザーに「ペルソナ3 リロード」を届けたい。Switch2版開発者インタビュー［TGS2025］". 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  31. ↑ Zotomayor, Carlos "Zoto" (2025-10-01). "Persona 3 Reload devs haven't changed their minds about adding Portable's female protagonist. "We have a mission to tackle new things"". AUTOMATON WEST. Retrieved 2025-11-15.
  32. ↑ Doolan, Liam (March 6, 2022). "Obsidian's RPG Pillars Of Eternity II: Deadfire Appears To Have Been Cancelled For Switch". Nintendo Life. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  33. ↑ Garrido, Alberto (2025-10-14). "Everything we know about Teraleak: The biggest leak in Nintendo and Pokémon's history". Gamereactor UK. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
  34. ↑ Woods, Sam (2025-10-14). "We Almost Had A Pokemon Legends Game Set In Johto, But Game Freak Decided Kalos Was Better". TheGamer. Retrieved 2025-12-27.
  35. ↑ Bankhurst, Adam (2023-07-17). "Patapon Devs Announce a Spiritual Successor Called Ratatan". IGN. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  36. ↑ "Ratatan is marching its way into your console library on July 16". Engadget. 2026-03-03. Retrieved 2026-03-11.
  37. ↑ Romano, Sal (October 20, 2023). "RoboCop: Rogue City for Switch cancelled". Gematsu. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  38. ↑ Yin-Poole, Wesley (October 20, 2023). "RoboCop: Rogue City Nintendo Switch Version Cancelled". IGN. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  39. ↑ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (October 25, 2019). "Sengoku Night Blood Game's Switch Release Cancelled". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 13, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  40. ↑ Craddock, Ryan (9 August 2018). "Ubisoft Has Halted Development Of Steep On Nintendo Switch". Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 19 August 2018. Retrieved 19 August 2018.
  41. ↑ Stevens, Colin (August 9, 2018). "Ubisoft Confirms Steep Is No Longer Coming to the Nintendo Switch". IGN. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
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