Disney is reportedly encouraging all its third-party game development partners to bring their titles to Nintendo Switch 2. According to leaker Nash Weedle, the entertainment giant wants Star Wars, Marvel, and Disney Animation games available on Nintendo’s next console, with EA’s Star Wars Jedi series specifically mentioned as confirmed projects. This strategic push suggests Disney sees Switch 2 as a crucial platform for expanding its gaming audience.
The Star Wars Jedi Games Are Coming
The biggest specific revelation from Nash Weedle’s leak involves Respawn Entertainment’s acclaimed Star Wars Jedi series. Both Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (2019) and Star Wars Jedi: Survivor (2023) are reportedly headed to Switch 2, marking the first time these technically demanding games will appear on a Nintendo platform.
EA and Respawn released a PlayStation 4 and Xbox One version of Jedi: Survivor in September 2024, well over a year after the game’s initial current-gen launch in April 2023. Many industry observers found this backwards-compatible port puzzling at the time, especially given the game’s notorious technical problems on PC and current-gen consoles. However, the last-gen version could serve as the foundation for a Switch 2 port.
The PS4 and Xbox One versions required significant optimization work to run on that hardware, which ironically makes them better suited for adaptation to Switch 2. Rather than downscaling the demanding PlayStation 5 version, Respawn can use the already-optimized last-gen build as a starting point, adjusting for Switch 2’s specific architecture and capabilities.
Why Disney Changed Its Gaming Strategy
Disney’s current push for Switch 2 releases represents the culmination of a gaming strategy that’s been evolving for nearly a decade. In 2016, Disney shut down its internal game development and publishing operations after years of unsuccessful attempts to compete directly in the gaming space. Games like Disney Infinity, despite critical acclaim and strong sales, ultimately couldn’t justify the massive investment required.
The company pivoted to an all-in licensing model, partnering with established publishers and developers rather than building games in-house. This approach allows Disney to leverage the expertise of specialists like Respawn, Insomniac, and Ubisoft without bearing the full financial risk and technical burden of game development.
The strategy has paid off spectacularly. Marvel’s Spider-Man from Insomniac sold over 33 million copies across its various versions. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order sold over 20 million copies. These are numbers that match or exceed Disney’s best efforts during its internal development era, achieved with significantly less financial exposure.
The Epic Games Partnership Factor
Disney’s gaming ambitions extend far beyond traditional console releases. In February 2024, the company announced a $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games to build an expansive entertainment universe connected to Fortnite. This partnership launched its first preview with Disneyland Game Rush in November 2025, a limited-time Creative Island within Fortnite.
The Epic collaboration represents Disney’s recognition that younger audiences increasingly experience entertainment through gaming platforms rather than traditional media. Fortnite boasts over 400 million registered users, providing Disney immediate access to a massive audience that might not subscribe to Disney+ or visit theme parks.
Disney CEO Bob Iger has repeatedly emphasized gaming as critical to the company’s future, particularly for connecting with younger demographics. Just as Disney expresses its intellectual property through theme parks and merchandise, Iger sees gaming as another essential venue for extending Disney’s stories and characters. The Switch 2 push fits naturally into this broader strategy of meeting audiences where they already spend time.
What Other Disney Games Might Come
While Nash Weedle specifically confirmed the Star Wars Jedi games, the leak suggests Disney’s directive extends to all its gaming partnerships. This opens possibilities for numerous high-profile titles that currently skip Nintendo platforms due to technical limitations.
Marvel’s Midnight Suns from Firaxis Games released on Switch in 2023, but only as a heavily compromised version with significant downgrades. A proper Switch 2 version could deliver the full experience without sacrificing visual quality or performance. The turn-based tactical gameplay seems perfectly suited for Nintendo’s hybrid console approach.
Ubisoft’s Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora seems less likely given its extremely demanding technical requirements, but a scaled version isn’t impossible if Disney insists on Switch 2 availability. Similarly, Ubisoft’s upcoming open-world Star Wars game could target Switch 2 if Disney makes platform inclusivity a licensing requirement.
| Game/Series | Developer/Publisher | Switch 2 Likelihood |
|---|---|---|
| Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order | Respawn/EA | Confirmed by leak |
| Star Wars Jedi: Survivor | Respawn/EA | Confirmed by leak |
| Marvel’s Midnight Suns | Firaxis/2K | High (already has Switch version) |
| Marvel’s Spider-Man series | Insomniac/PlayStation | Very low (PlayStation exclusive) |
| Star Wars Outlaws | Massive/Ubisoft | Moderate (technically demanding) |
| Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora | Massive/Ubisoft | Low (extreme technical requirements) |
| Kingdom Hearts series | Square Enix | High (fan demand, Cloud versions exist) |
The Kingdom Hearts Question
One franchise conspicuously absent from most discussions is Kingdom Hearts, despite the series’ perfect thematic fit for Nintendo platforms. Square Enix released cloud versions of several Kingdom Hearts games on original Switch, a compromise that allowed the technically demanding titles to run through streaming rather than native hardware.
Switch 2’s improved specifications could finally enable proper native ports of the Kingdom Hearts collection. The series mixes Disney characters with Final Fantasy elements in action-RPG adventures that have sold over 35 million copies globally. Many fans have requested an all-in-one collection for Switch 2, particularly given the series’ roots on Nintendo handhelds with Chain of Memories and 358/2 Days.
Questions About Nash Weedle’s Credibility
The leak comes from Nash Weedle, a gaming industry insider whose track record has generated significant debate within the community. The Reddit thread discussing this leak features multiple commenters questioning whether Nash Weedle should be taken seriously, with one highly upvoted comment stating that “a brief look into his track record reveals numerous mistakes.”
However, others defend Nash Weedle’s accuracy on certain predictions. Some community members credit the leaker with correctly predicting Metroid Dread before its official announcement, though verification of this claim proves difficult. The mixed reception reflects a broader challenge in gaming leak culture where insiders establish reputations through a combination of accurate predictions and spectacular misses.
Even the leaker’s name has become a running joke, with Reddit users joking about whether “Nash Weedle” sounds like a real person and making Pokemon references (Weedle being a Pokemon, with one commenter joking about “Nash Kakuna” evolution). This playful skepticism doesn’t necessarily invalidate the information, but it does suggest the community views these leaks with appropriate caution.
The Business Case For Disney
Disney’s reported insistence on Switch 2 versions makes strong business sense beyond simple revenue expansion. Nintendo platforms historically attract different demographics than PlayStation and Xbox, with younger players and families forming a core audience. These demographics align perfectly with Disney’s brand identity and target markets.
The Switch’s portability factor has proven particularly appealing to younger gamers and parents looking for gaming options that don’t require monopolizing the family television. Switch 2 maintains this hybrid approach while dramatically increasing power, potentially allowing Disney games to reach audiences that prefer or require portable gaming options.
Japan represents another crucial consideration. Nintendo dominates the Japanese gaming market where PlayStation 5 struggles with high pricing and limited household penetration. Star Wars and Marvel have significant Japanese fanbases, but reaching them requires presence on platforms they actually own. Switch 2 provides that access in ways PlayStation and Xbox cannot match.
Technical Challenges Ahead
Despite Disney’s apparent enthusiasm, bringing technically demanding current-gen games to Switch 2 presents significant challenges. Star Wars Jedi: Survivor famously struggled even on PlayStation 5 and high-end PCs at launch, plagued by stuttering, texture streaming issues, and inconsistent frame rates that required months of patches to address.
Switch 2 specs remain unconfirmed by Nintendo, but leaks suggest capabilities somewhere between PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox Series S. While this represents a massive upgrade over the original Switch, it’s still substantially less powerful than the platforms where many Disney games already struggle to maintain stable performance.
Respawn will need to make careful compromises balancing visual quality, resolution, and frame rate to deliver acceptable experiences. The last-gen PS4/Xbox One version of Jedi: Survivor provides a template, running at 30fps with reduced resolution, draw distance, and visual effects. Switch 2 versions will likely follow similar parameters, prioritizing stability over cutting-edge graphics.
FAQs
Has Disney officially confirmed these Switch 2 plans?
No, Disney has not made any official announcements about pushing games to Switch 2. The information comes entirely from leaker Nash Weedle and remains unverified by Disney, EA, or Nintendo. Companies rarely comment on leaks before making formal announcements, so official confirmation would likely come closer to actual release dates.
When might Star Wars Jedi games release on Switch 2?
No release window has been mentioned in the leak. Given that Switch 2 hasn’t even been officially revealed by Nintendo yet, these ports are likely planned for late 2025 or 2026 at the earliest. Porting and optimization work typically takes 6-12 months depending on the game’s complexity and the target platform’s differences.
Will these be full versions or cloud streaming games?
The leak suggests native Switch 2 ports rather than cloud versions. Kingdom Hearts games on original Switch used cloud streaming due to hardware limitations, but Switch 2’s improved specs should allow proper native versions of most Disney games. However, extremely demanding titles like Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora might still require cloud technology.
How reliable is Nash Weedle as a leaker?
Nash Weedle’s track record is mixed according to community discussions. Some credit the leaker with accurate predictions including Metroid Dread, while others point to numerous incorrect claims. The gaming community treats these leaks with healthy skepticism, viewing them as interesting possibilities rather than guaranteed facts until official confirmation arrives.
What about PlayStation exclusive Marvel games?
Games like Marvel’s Spider-Man and Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 are developed by Insomniac Games, a PlayStation-owned studio, making Switch 2 ports extremely unlikely regardless of Disney’s preferences. The licensing agreements for those games likely give PlayStation exclusive rights. However, multiplatform Marvel games from third-party developers could absolutely come to Switch 2.
Will Switch 2 be powerful enough for current-gen games?
Switch 2 is expected to fall between PlayStation 4 Pro and Xbox Series S in terms of capabilities based on leaked specifications. This won’t match PlayStation 5 or high-end PCs, but should be sufficient for scaled versions of current-gen games with appropriate optimization work. The PS4/Xbox One version of Jedi: Survivor demonstrates that these games can run on less powerful hardware with compromises.
Why did EA make a PS4 version of Jedi: Survivor so late?
The September 2024 release of Jedi: Survivor on PS4 and Xbox One, over a year after the original launch, seemed strange at the time. Many now speculate this last-gen port was created specifically to serve as the foundation for a Switch 2 version. The optimization work required for PS4 hardware makes porting to Switch 2 significantly easier than downscaling the PS5 version.
Could this include future Disney games at launch?
If Disney is indeed mandating Switch 2 versions for all partner projects, future games would likely target the platform from the beginning of development rather than as post-launch ports. This would result in better optimization and potentially day-and-date releases across all platforms including Switch 2, similar to how most major third-party games handled the original Switch after its initial success.
Conclusion
Disney’s reported push to bring all its gaming partnerships to Switch 2 reflects the company’s evolved understanding of gaming’s importance to its overall entertainment strategy. After shuttering its internal development operations in 2016, Disney has found success through carefully curated partnerships with best-in-class developers and publishers. Ensuring those games reach Nintendo’s massive audience makes perfect business sense, particularly given the demographic overlap between Nintendo players and Disney’s core audiences. The Star Wars Jedi series represents just the beginning, with Marvel titles, potential Kingdom Hearts collections, and future projects likely following. However, significant technical challenges remain, and developers will need to make careful compromises to deliver acceptable experiences on hardware less powerful than current-gen consoles. As always with leaks, healthy skepticism is warranted until official announcements arrive. But if Nash Weedle’s information proves accurate, Switch 2 owners can look forward to a much stronger library of Disney-licensed games than the original Switch ever received, finally bringing some of gaming’s biggest franchises to Nintendo’s platform without cloud streaming compromises.