007 First Light Switch 2 release date may have leaked after delay to optimize game

Before the new James Bond game landed on the Xbox, PS5, and PC in May, IO Interactive announced a delay for Nintendo’s handheld. Developers eventually said that they needed more time to optimize the port. Expected late in the summer, Amazon Japan may have revealed the exact 007 First Light Switch 2 release date.

The marketplace leaks the Specialist version of the physical Switch 2 game as arriving on September 16th. That would see it debut in the summer season, albeit barely. Even so, the date may be a placeholder retailers publish before companies provide official information.

The box shot confirms the Game-Key Card format. A download is required, and players will need to clear 75+ GB of storage space on the console. As protests over PlayStation abandoning PS5 discs continue, the scenario is less than ideal for collectors. Unfortunately, the maximum Nintendo cartridge size is 64 GB. There is also the opportunity to resell the linear single-player title.

Explaining the 007 First Light delay

IO Interactive initially didn’t detail why it postponed the 007 First Light release date for the handheld. Then, in May, CEO Hakan Abrak reassured fans that it was still incoming. He told The Game Business that a working build of the Switch 2 game existed and optimization efforts were ongoing.

It’s unknown what performance options the James Bond title will ship with. However, the studio doesn’t want to offer a compromised experience on the Nintendo console. That could explain why its file size is similar to the Steam, Xbox, and PS5 versions.

The spy thriller runs decently on the Steam Deck, a positive sign for the 007 First Light Switch 2 port. A locked 30 fps mode is the most likely scenario, with DLSS available to improve image quality. Followers hope it launches more smoothly than Hitman World of Assassination. Developers needed a series of patches to reduce stuttering.