Nintendo unveils exclusive Switch 2 title designed solely for handheld play.

The standout feature of the Nintendo Switch 2 is its hybrid design, allowing players to enjoy gaming on the go or on a big screen. So, it was quite a shock for fans when a new title, Onyx: The Dark Grip, was unveiled during a recent Nintendo Direct showcase—especially since it can’t be played while docked.

Onyx: The Dark Grip is an upcoming horror-adventure game from Bloober Team, the Polish developers behind hits like Silent Hill 2 and Layers of Fear. This new title presents a fascinating concept where players take on the role of a solitary traveler exploring a ghost town, while also controlling a mysterious entity that shadows him. This entity has the ability to manipulate the environment, assisting the traveler by moving obstacles or activating machinery. However, the more the player engages with the entity’s powers, the more unstable the traveler becomes.

This intriguing gameplay mechanic is precisely why Onyx: The Dark Grip is not playable in docked mode: it relies heavily on the Switch 2’s touchscreen. While Bloober could have implemented traditional button controls or Joy-Con mouse functionality, the tactile interaction enhances the feeling of being an otherworldly force. The traveler appears smaller on screen, almost like an ant or a toy, amplifying this sensation.

Currently, there’s no specific release date for Onyx: The Dark Grip, only a broad window set for 2027. Nevertheless, anticipation is building among fans. Bloober Team has a solid reputation in the horror genre, and the sanity mechanic in Onyx is drawing comparisons to Eternal Darkness. In that classic 2002 psychological horror game for the GameCube, players had to manage a sanity meter that decreased when enemies were spotted, leading to increasingly bizarre occurrences as the character’s sanity waned. If Onyx incorporates a similar system, it promises to deliver intense moments as players navigate the consequences of their divine interventions.

Switch 2 enthusiasts had high hopes for a new Smash Bros. announcement, but it seems they were left wanting.