High on Life 2 might be making its way to Nintendo Switch 2, if several European retailer listings are to be believed. Despite Squanch Games only confirming Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC versions for the February 2026 release, multiple online shops across Europe have begun listing a Switch 2 edition complete with pricing and product details. This follows a pattern established by the original game, which eventually landed on Nintendo’s hybrid console after initially skipping the platform.
The Retailer Leak That Spoiled the Surprise
European gaming retailers Netgames, Gameware, and World of Games have all posted product pages for High on Life 2 on Nintendo Switch 2. The listings identify Clear River Games as the publisher for the Switch 2 version and indicate the game will be sold as a Game Key Card rather than a physical cartridge. Game Key Cards have become increasingly common for third-party Switch releases, reducing production costs while still maintaining a retail presence.
The timing of these listings is particularly interesting given that Squanch Games has made no official announcement regarding a Switch 2 port. When pressed about platform availability, the developer has consistently mentioned only Xbox, PlayStation, and PC versions. However, the original High on Life followed a similar pattern, launching first on Xbox and PC in December 2022 before eventually expanding to PlayStation in July 2023 and Nintendo Switch in May 2025.
Why This Makes Complete Sense
The original High on Life received a full Nintendo Switch 2 Edition in August 2025, complete with enhanced visuals, improved frame rates, and Joy-Con 2 mouse control support. That version runs at 1080p and 30 frames per second when docked, with upgraded texture quality and visual effects over the base Switch release. For Squanch Games to invest resources into optimizing the first game for Switch 2 hardware suggests confidence that the platform’s audience wants these irreverent alien shooter experiences.
High on Life found substantial success on Xbox Game Pass, where it became one of the service’s most-played titles in early 2023. The game’s comedy-focused gameplay and talking weapon characters resonated with players looking for something different from typical shooters. Bringing that formula to Nintendo’s massive install base makes financial sense, especially since the Switch 2’s improved hardware should handle the Unreal Engine 5-powered sequel more capably than the original Switch could.
Platform Availability Timeline
| Platform | High on Life (Original) | High on Life 2 (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X/S, PC | December 2022 | February 13, 2026 |
| PlayStation 5 | July 2023 | February 13, 2026 |
| Nintendo Switch | May 2025 | TBA (Leaked) |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | August 2025 | TBA (Leaked) |
What We Know About High on Life 2
High on Life 2 continues the story of the unnamed bounty hunter protagonist from the first game, this time dealing with an intergalactic conspiracy that threatens humanity. Squanch Games has confirmed the sequel includes skateboarding mechanics, allowing players to grind rails and perform tricks while blasting alien enemies with talking weapons. The studio describes it as taking cues from Metroidvania design, with three distinct hub worlds that unlock more content as players gain new abilities.
The sequel also doubles down on the meta-humor and pop culture references that defined the original. Players can watch B-tier movies and play fully emulated retro games, including the notorious NES title Bible Adventures. Director Mikey Spano confirmed more than five complete playable games are hidden throughout the adventure, rewarding thorough exploration. These distractions fit the game’s irreverent tone, encouraging players to goof off instead of taking the sci-fi action too seriously.
Built in Unreal Engine 5 instead of the first game’s Unreal Engine 4, the sequel promises larger environments, more enemy variety, and improved boss battles. The development team at Squanch Games has grown since the original release, allowing for more ambitious level design and side content. IGN’s recent hands-on preview praised how the game balances comedy with genuine gameplay variety, including a surprisingly detailed murder mystery investigation sequence.
The Switch 2 Technical Question
Running High on Life 2 on Switch 2 presents interesting technical challenges. The original game barely managed 1080p at 30 frames per second on the upgraded Switch 2 hardware despite using last-gen Unreal Engine 4. The sequel jumps to Unreal Engine 5 with significantly more detailed environments and visual effects, suggesting a port would require substantial optimization work.
Nintendo’s next console reportedly features significantly more powerful hardware than the original Switch, with leaked specifications pointing to DLSS support and improved memory bandwidth. These upgrades could help bridge the gap between Switch 2 and the Xbox Series S, which represents the minimum target for most current-gen games. Squanch Games has experience scaling their games across hardware, so a Switch 2 version targeting 720p-900p at 30 frames per second in handheld mode and 1080p docked seems plausible.
Clear River Games Connection
The retailer listings identify Clear River Games as the publisher for the Switch 2 version rather than Squanch Games directly. Clear River specializes in bringing third-party titles to Nintendo platforms, handling physical distribution and regional localization. This mirrors how many smaller studios approach Switch releases, partnering with experienced Nintendo publishers to navigate certification requirements and retail relationships.
Clear River Games previously published several indie and AA titles on Switch, including ports of games that launched first on other platforms. Their involvement suggests Squanch Games wants to focus development resources on the core Xbox, PlayStation, and PC versions while letting a specialist handle the Switch 2 adaptation. This approach often results in Switch releases arriving several months after other platforms, which would align with these retailers listing the game without confirmed dates.
What Happens Next
Nintendo is expected to hold a major Direct presentation in early 2026 showcasing Switch 2 launch titles and upcoming releases. If Squanch Games plans a day-and-date Switch 2 release alongside other platforms on February 13, an announcement should come within the next few weeks. More likely, the Switch 2 version launches later in spring or summer 2026 after the team optimizes performance and resolves any technical issues.
The retailer listings could also be speculative placeholders based on the original game’s multi-platform strategy. Online stores sometimes create product pages for likely releases before official confirmation to capture early pre-orders. However, the specific details about Clear River Games as publisher and Game Key Card format suggest these listings stem from actual distribution deals rather than pure speculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Squanch Games confirmed High on Life 2 for Nintendo Switch 2?
No, Squanch Games has not officially announced a Nintendo Switch 2 version of High on Life 2. The game is currently confirmed only for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC with a February 13, 2026 release date. However, multiple European retailers have listed a Switch 2 edition published by Clear River Games, suggesting an unannounced port may be in development.
Will High on Life 2 come to the original Nintendo Switch?
Based on current information, High on Life 2 appears targeted at Switch 2 rather than the original Switch. The sequel uses Unreal Engine 5 with significantly more demanding visuals and larger environments compared to the first game, which already pushed the Switch hardware to its limits. The original Switch likely lacks the processing power to run the sequel at acceptable performance levels.
When does High on Life 2 release?
High on Life 2 officially launches February 13, 2026 on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC. The game will be available day one on Xbox Game Pass for console and PC subscribers. If the leaked Switch 2 version is real, it will likely release several months after the initial launch, similar to how the first game arrived on Nintendo platforms later than other systems.
What is Clear River Games?
Clear River Games is a publisher that specializes in bringing third-party titles to Nintendo platforms. According to the European retailer listings, Clear River will handle publishing duties for the Switch 2 version of High on Life 2, managing physical distribution through Game Key Cards and regional releases across Europe and potentially other territories.
How did the original High on Life run on Switch 2?
High on Life received a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition in August 2025 with improved visuals, enhanced texture quality, better visual effects, and higher frame rates compared to the base Switch version. The Switch 2 edition runs at 1080p and 30 frames per second when docked, and includes support for Joy-Con 2 mouse controls for more precise aiming in first-person shooter gameplay.
What’s different about High on Life 2 compared to the original?
High on Life 2 features skateboarding mechanics, three distinct hub worlds with Metroidvania-style progression, larger environments, more enemy types, and improved boss battles. The sequel includes over five fully playable retro games hidden throughout the world, more movies to watch, and continues the talking weapon gimmick with new gun characters. It’s built in Unreal Engine 5 instead of Unreal Engine 4, allowing for more detailed visuals.
Why would retailers list the game before official announcement?
Retailers sometimes receive advance notice from distributors about upcoming releases to prepare inventory systems and pre-order pages. These European shops may have been informed about the Switch 2 version through Clear River Games distribution channels but jumped the gun by making the listings public before the official reveal. Similar leaks have occurred with other major releases when retail partners don’t coordinate announcement timing properly.
The Pattern Repeats Itself
If these retailer listings prove accurate, High on Life 2 joining the Switch 2 library would mark another example of Nintendo’s next console attracting current-gen third-party support. The original Switch struggled to run many Xbox Series and PlayStation 5 titles due to hardware limitations, forcing developers to either skip the platform entirely or invest heavily in scaled-down ports. Switch 2’s improved specifications seem to be lowering that barrier.
For Squanch Games, a Switch 2 release expands the potential audience significantly. The original High on Life sold well across all platforms despite mixed critical reception, proving there’s appetite for comedy-focused shooters with unconventional mechanics. Nintendo’s audience skews younger and more casual than Xbox or PlayStation demographics, potentially introducing the franchise to players who might not otherwise encounter it.
Whether this leak prompts an early official announcement or Squanch Games waits until closer to launch remains to be seen. The developer has been actively promoting the game through IGN First coverage throughout December, showcasing new weapons, gameplay mechanics, and story details. Adding a Switch 2 version to that marketing push would make sense, assuming the port is far enough along in development to show publicly. For now, patient Nintendo fans can hope these European retailers know something the rest of us don’t.