Ubisoft Confirms December Release for Nintendo Switch 2
Fans of Assassin’s Creed Shadows have reason to celebrate — Ubisoft has confirmed that the highly anticipated title will officially arrive on the Nintendo Switch 2 on December 2, 2025. After months of speculation, the publisher revealed new details about how the action-adventure game will run on Nintendo’s upcoming console and what special features it will include.
Originally released in March for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, Assassin’s Creed Shadows takes players to 16th-century feudal Japan, following the intertwined stories of Yasuke, a real-life African samurai, and Fujibayashi Naoe, a skilled shinobi. The game was praised for its cinematic storytelling and vast, immersive world.
Optimized Performance and Technical Adjustments
Ubisoft explained that its team performed significant “code-level work” to make the massive open world of Assassin’s Creed Shadows compatible with the Nintendo Switch 2’s architecture. The company is targeting a stable 30 frames per second (fps) in both docked and handheld modes.
While the Switch 2 version will not feature ray-traced global illumination — due to memory constraints — Ubisoft opted for baked global illumination to maintain visual fidelity without overloading the hardware. Adjustments were also made to texture resolution, draw distances, and level-of-detail rendering to ensure smoother performance.
In densely populated cities like Kyoto and Iga, the Switch 2 version will have fewer NPCs to avoid frame drops, but Ubisoft insists that the environmental richness remains intact, preserving the atmospheric tone that defines the series.
Exclusive Switch 2 Features and Enhancements
Ubisoft also confirmed several console-specific upgrades that will make Assassin’s Creed Shadows feel at home on the Nintendo Switch 2. Players can use touchscreen controls for map navigation and menu interaction, enhancing immersion during exploration.
The game supports HDR visuals, variable refresh rate, and DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) for smoother image rendering. Moreover, players will benefit from cross-progression via Ubisoft Connect, allowing seamless gameplay continuity between platforms — a major advantage for those who already own the game on another system.
Ubisoft also hinted at future performance optimization patches for the Switch 2 version, ensuring parity with ongoing updates on other consoles.
Complete Version with Post-Launch Support
The Nintendo Switch 2 edition of Assassin’s Creed Shadows will ship with all previously released updates, ensuring players receive the most refined version yet. However, Ubisoft noted that the Claws of Awaji expansion, a major story DLC, will not arrive until 2026.
Despite hardware differences, Ubisoft assures fans that the Switch 2 experience delivers the full Assassin’s Creed adventure, maintaining its narrative depth, stealth mechanics, and combat fluidity.
A Major Milestone for Nintendo’s Next-Gen Console
The release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows on Nintendo Switch 2 marks a significant moment in the company’s push to position the console as a viable home for major AAA titles. Historically, Assassin’s Creed games on Nintendo systems, such as Assassin’s Creed III Remastered and Black Flag, were scaled-down versions. This time, however, Ubisoft is bringing a modern Assassin’s Creed built for next-gen systems — and adapting it intelligently for the Switch 2.
Analysts believe this partnership could set a precedent for more AAA developers optimizing next-gen titles for Nintendo’s upcoming platform, further expanding its game library beyond family-friendly exclusives.
Final Thoughts
With Ubisoft’s technical craftsmanship and Nintendo’s next-gen hardware, Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the Nintendo Switch 2 could redefine expectations for what’s possible on a portable gaming device.
The mix of cross-platform compatibility, touch integration, and performance optimization demonstrates Ubisoft’s confidence in the Switch 2 as a legitimate platform for serious gaming experiences.
As the game’s December 2 launch nears, excitement continues to build — and for both Assassin’s Creed fans and Nintendo enthusiasts, it looks like one of the year’s biggest gaming events.Stay tuned for the latest gaming updates and industry trends at StartupNews.fyi.
