Rumor: Red Dead Redemption 2, Mass Effect Not On Switch
By Rory Young 31 December 2016
Respected leaker and rumormonger Laura Dale is reporting that both Red Dead Redemption 2 and Mass Effect: Andromeda will not be made available on the Nintendo Switch.
Speculation regarding the upcoming Nintendo Switch console, tentatively planned for release in March 2017, continues to run rampant. The bulk of the discussion revolves around the hardware of the console and its capabilities as a platform in the current console landscape. Tied into that is the discussion regarding what kind of third-party support the Switch will receive, limited by both technology and Nintendo’s past problems. Some additional perspective was added recently by prominent leaker and rumormonger Laura Dale of LetsPlayVideoGames.
On a recent livestream hosted by Youtuber OBE1 Laura Dale was asked about two games in specific regarding whether they’d be appearing on the Nintendo Switch: Red Dead Redemption 2 and Mass Effect: Andromeda. While Laura wasn’t citing any specific reports regarding the two games in her responses, her knowledge regarding unannounced details regarding the Switch platform informed what she said. To sum it up, Laura says that it is unlikely either game will make it to the Switch.
Again, Laura didn’t appear to have news to cite in specific regard to either game. For Red Dead Redemption 2, Laura noted publisher Rockstar’s rocky history with Nintendo and that the trust isn’t there for such early Switch support. Regarding Mass Effect: Andromeda, Laura says that the port of Mass Effect 3 on the Wii U and its low sales on the platform will likely keep EA from putting its next space-faring sequel on the platform.
While the report that both Red Dead Redemption 2 and Mass Effect: Andromeda will not be coming to the Nintendo Switch must be treated as rumor, they’re with substance due to what’s already known about the platform and Nintendo’s history. Rockstar hasn’t supported a Nintendo platform since the Wii with Table Tennis, Bully and Manhunt 2. Otherwise, no major Grand Theft Auto title has seen a Nintendo platform other than Chinatown Wars on the DS. Like Laura says, Rockstar simply doesn’t have any trust in Nintendo’s platforms.
Titles like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim likely coming to the Nintendo Switch are an encouraging trend, but after the Wii U, Nintendo has a lot to prove to persuade third-parties to come back. While Red Dead Redemption 2 and Mass Effect: Andromeda are reportedly not coming to the Switch, there’s always the possibility that Nintendo does the work and either or both games could come to the platform eventually. But for now, expectations should probably be kept within reason.
The Nintendo Switch is tentatively planned for release in March. Expect more news and information regarding the platform during a presentation held on January 12.
