Bringing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to Switch 2 Could Be Technically Demanding, But Diablo 4 Is Expected Soon

Third-party developers have expressed strong support for the Switch 2, but a year post-launch, some titles have been slow to make their way to the platform. The silver lining is that while the team behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has mentioned challenges in porting the anticipated 2025 RPG, Diablo 4 is reportedly set to launch in September.

According to leaker billbil-kun, Blizzard’s action-RPG is expected to hit Nintendo’s console three years after its initial release, likely around the week of September 15. Priced at $70, it’s still uncertain whether the Switch 2 version, which will unfortunately be a code in a box, will include the latest Lord of Hatred expansion.

If this information holds true, it will be exciting to finally experience the demon-slaying loot fest on a handheld device (it’s confirmed to run on Steam Deck, but good luck finding one at a reasonable price these days). The delay in bringing one of the most popular Xbox-owned titles to the Switch 2 raises questions.

“It’s great that the Switch 2 has the performance to run a game like Diablo 4, so it’s definitely something to consider,” said former franchise head Rod Fergusson regarding the potential port in an interview last year. “The challenge is less about the hardware and more about how we… you know, live services on Switch have been a bit tricky in the past.”

This explanation seemed puzzling at the time, especially since always-online multiplayer games like Warframe and Fortnite are available on Switch. However, Diablo 4 isn’t the only major title facing delays. When asked about the absence of Clair Obscur on the Switch 2, its developers cited unsupported Unreal Engine 5 features and a “big technical challenge” that requires time to address.

Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, which was initially anticipated last year, is finally set to arrive on Switch 2 next month. Meanwhile, the highly publicized Borderlands 4 port is currently stalled with no release plans in sight. On a brighter note, a Switch 2 version of Monster Hunter Wilds seems to be progressing, with a possible announcement expected in the coming months.