007 First Light for Switch 2 Pushed Back Again, Now Set for Release Nearly a Year Later

Once upon a time, 007 First Light was set to launch on Switch 2 alongside other platforms in May. However, it was pushed back to the third quarter of 2026, and now the release has been moved to March 2027. IO Interactive has stated that the port of its popular James Bond game requires additional refinement.

“Today we want to share an update regarding the Nintendo Switch 2 release of 007 First Light,” the developer announced on September 15. “We understand that many of you are eager to dive into Bond’s reimagined origin story on Nintendo Switch 2, and we truly appreciate your excitement.”

They added, “To ensure we provide the quality experience players expect, we’ve decided to delay the release to March 2027, with the specific date to be confirmed later. This extra time will be dedicated to enhancing the game’s performance on Nintendo Switch 2. We were thrilled by the positive feedback on 007 First Light at Gamescom, which is a great indicator of the progress we’re making as we approach launch.”

It’s hard to believe that a 007 game on a Nintendo console, where the franchise has historically thrived, has stumbled like this. It should have been an easy win for any third-party developer.

How do you show up at the Switch 2 reveal with a 007 game and not prioritize a day-one release?

????????‍♂️

— NintenGOD (@AesirMalos) September 15, 2026

Initial impressions from a demo at last month’s gaming convention were mostly positive, though some expressed concerns about how the game would handle larger crowds and more complex levels on Nintendo’s less powerful hardware. The reaction from some Switch 2 owners regarding yet another significant delay hasn’t been very favorable.

007 First Light was among the first major ports confirmed for the Switch 2 and has been highlighted frequently during Nintendo Direct presentations. Earlier this year, IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak commented on the port: “It’s running on the Switch 2. We just want to ensure it’s as good as it can be. I don’t want to hear it wasn’t a good version.”

He added, “To be completely honest, we need a bit more time to get it where we want it to be. We initially said summer, but it’s likely going to be late summer. However, we will get it out. Bond has a special place on Nintendo, and I promise to do everything I can, and I can do quite a lot as CEO, to ensure it’s in great shape.”