Assassin’s Creed Shadows Hits Switch 2 in December 2025

A leak from French deal site Dealabs has reported that Assassin’s Creed Shadows, Ubisoft’s sprawling open-world epic set in feudal Japan, will launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 on December 5, 2025. This marks a major win for Nintendo, which has yet to officially unveil its next-gen console. The move signals a bold push to bring AAA blockbusters to a hybrid portable platform, a feat that seemed unlikely just a few years ago. For fans, it’s a chance to wield Naoe’s stealthy kunai or Yasuke’s samurai blade on the go.

Ubisoft’s decision to release Shadows day-and-date with other platforms shows confidence in the Switch 2’s potential. Priced at €50, the game will come as a game key card, requiring a digital download rather than a traditional cartridge. This shift hints at the massive file sizes modern titles demand, a challenge for Nintendo’s historically compact hardware. The leak, backed by earlier PEGI ratings and French retail listings, suggests Nintendo is gearing up for a reveal soon.

Bringing Assassin’s Creed Shadows to Switch 2 is no small feat. The game’s Anvil engine powers vast open worlds, intricate NPC behavior, and dynamic lighting, all of which push current-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5 hard. For Switch 2 to handle this, Nintendo likely leaned on Nvidia’s modern GPU tech, possibly with tricks like dynamic resolution scaling to keep visuals crisp and frame rates steady. But questions linger: can a portable device maintain stable performance during Yasuke’s intense samurai battles or Naoe’s stealthy rooftop sprints?

Thermal throttling and battery life are real concerns. AAA games devour power, and players may find portable sessions cut short without a charger nearby. The game’s 32GB-plus file size, implied by the game key card format, could also force players to invest in pricey microSD cards. Ubisoft’s developers likely spent months optimizing code, tweaking textures, and streamlining asset streaming to make this port viable, but the mixed performance reviews on other platforms raise doubts about a flawless launch.

History offers clues on how Shadows might fare on Switch 2. The Witcher 3’s Switch port, released in 2019, squeezed a massive open-world RPG onto aging hardware through clever compromises like lower-resolution textures and shorter draw distances. It wasn’t perfect, but post-launch patches made it a fan favorite, proving that skilled developers can work miracles. CD Projekt Red’s success showed that portable AAA gaming resonates with players willing to trade some visual polish for mobility.

Doom Eternal’s 2020 Switch port took a different path, prioritizing silky-smooth combat over graphical fidelity. Bethesda and Panic Button’s optimization wizardry delivered 30fps action that felt true to the game’s core, earning critical praise. Unlike The Witcher 3, Doom Eternal launched in a more polished state, suggesting Ubisoft could learn from both: invest heavily in optimization early and support the game post-launch to iron out kinks. These case studies highlight that success hinges on balancing performance with the portable experience players crave.

For players, Shadows on Switch 2 delivers a long-sought dream: a full-fledged Assassin’s Creed adventure in their pocket. Naoe’s stealth missions, perfect for quick bursts of play, and Yasuke’s epic battles suit longer sessions, making the game versatile for on-the-go or docked play. The instant resume feature of Nintendo’s hybrid design is a godsend for busy gamers. Yet, the digital-only format could frustrate those with slow internet or limited storage, and the €50 price tag matches other consoles, which might surprise Nintendo fans used to budget-friendly ports.

For the industry, this release sets a high bar for Switch 2’s launch. Nintendo’s push to secure day-one support from Ubisoft suggests a strategy to rival Sony and Microsoft by blending portability with AAA power. If Shadows performs well, it could lure other franchises like Call of Duty or Resident Evil to the platform. However, digital distribution and potential performance hiccups raise concerns. Some players might prefer the sharper visuals of a PlayStation 5, and Ubisoft’s spotty launch history doesn’t inspire universal confidence.

Shadows’ feudal Japan setting, featuring Yasuke, an African samurai, and Naoe, a shinobi, has sparked debates about cultural representation. While some praise Ubisoft’s diverse cast, others question the historical accuracy of blending Western and Japanese storytelling. On Switch 2, these discussions may take a backseat to the thrill of portable play, but Ubisoft must tread carefully in marketing to avoid reigniting controversy. The game’s Claws of Awaji DLC, adding 10 hours of content, sweetens the deal for fans eager for more.

The game key card model reflects a broader shift to digital distribution, with over 80% of console game sales now digital in major markets. This cuts costs for publishers but risks alienating players who value physical ownership or lack reliable internet. Nintendo’s online infrastructure, historically less robust than Sony’s or Microsoft’s, will face scrutiny as players download massive patches or DLC. For Switch 2 to succeed, Nintendo and Ubisoft must ensure seamless delivery and address consumer concerns about access and ownership.