As October settles over the gaming calendar, Nintendo Switch 2 owners are being handed one of the most crowded release windows of the console’s short life. From indie puzzle masterpieces to blockbuster multiplatform shooters, the month delivers a mix of ports, remasters, and Nintendo exclusives that should keep anyone with a Switch 2 busy for weeks. With the industry’s eye already fixed on the November giants—Grand Theft Auto 6 and the Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time—October risks being overshadowed, but the lineup on offer proves the fall season is far from over.
The deluge of ports continues apace, alongside a batch of Switch 2 upgrades for existing titles. Two Octopath Traveler games and Minecraft arrive enhanced for the newer hardware, while Nintendo reserves its traditional monthly exclusive for a family-friendly comeback. Square Enix contributes a retro-flavored RPG, and a massive AAA multiplatform title lands on Nintendo on day one for the first time in years. Here are the six titles that stand out the most.
Jonathan Blow’s Puzzle Return
Releasing on Oct. 8, Order of the Sinking Star is arguably October’s most notable entry. The indie puzzle game comes from Jonathan Blow, the celebrated creator of Braid and The Witness. Blow is a polarizing figure, and there are lingering questions about authorship and credit with Order of the Sinking Star, which draws on several other sokoban (block-pushing) puzzle games. Regardless of the surrounding controversy, his talent for designing puzzles remains undeniable, and this title is built as a nearly bottomless well of fiendishly clever head-scratchers.
Capcom’s Switch 2 Push
Capcom has established itself as the Switch 2’s number one fan, and it shows no sign of slowing down. On Oct. 9, Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen arrives, bringing the new Dark Arisen update and expansion from day one. The action-RPG has rough edges and some intentional design friction that divided players, yet it remains a brilliant generator of unexpected adventures. A week later, on Oct. 16, Capcom continues its charm offensive with Switch 2 ports of the acclaimed Resident Evil remake series. Resident Evil 3 is the weakest link, though hardly a bad game, while Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4 offer truly amazing new takes on survival horror. These are must-play titles ahead of next year’s Resident Evil: Veronica.
Capcom seems determined to bring every current- and last-generation hit to the Nintendo console, and October’s Resident Evil ports confirm that commitment.
Gamer24h Editorial
Nintendo’s Family Comeback
On Oct. 22, Nintendo delivers its big Switch 2 exclusive of the month with Switch Sports Resort. The return of the motion-control sports series follows in the footsteps of 2009’s Wii Sports Resort, taking the action to a cheerful vacation island. Players can enjoy jetskiing, skateboarding, table tennis, and, for some reason, thumb wrestling. The same day, Square Enix brings a Final Fantasy game in the beloved HD-2D style. Final Fantasy Resonance is neither a remake of a canonical 2D classic nor an all-new game; rather, it is a ground-up adaptation of the mobile title Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, focusing on its first story arc. The main hook lets players recruit and use a panoply of classic Final Fantasy characters, including Cloud Strife, as summons.
The AAA Multiplatform Arrival
Capping off the month on Oct. 23, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 arrives alongside its PlayStation, Xbox, and PC versions, with campaign early access opening on Oct. 16. As promised by Microsoft when it acquired Activision—and essentially required by regulators to approve the deal—this marks the return of Call of Duty to Nintendo platforms for the first time since the Wii U’s early days. Given the Switch 2’s power and success, the port probably would have happened regardless. Players are hoping for a return to form after last year’s lackluster Black Ops 7, and Infinity Ward is widely expected to deliver.
Looking Ahead
With these six titles spread across the month, October offers something for every type of Switch 2 owner, from puzzle enthusiasts to fans of blockbuster shooters. As the calendar turns toward November, however, the industry’s attention will shift to the release of Grand Theft Auto 6 and the Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. For now, though, October’s lineup ensures that Switch 2 owners have plenty to play before the biggest release season of the year truly begins.
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