With the Nintendo Switch 2's launch just around the corner, the gaming industry is buzzing with anticipation and speculation about pricing, tariffs, and game key cards. Amidst this excitement, Take-Two Interactive, a prominent third-party publisher, has expressed strong confidence in the upcoming console. In a recent Q&A session with investors following the company's full-year earnings report, CEO Strauss Zelnick shared his "great optimism" for Nintendo's new platform.
Zelnick highlighted the improved relationship between Nintendo and third-party publishers, noting a more collaborative approach from Nintendo this time around. "We're launching four titles with Nintendo Switch 2, and that's I think a bigger array of releases than we've ever offered before with a new Nintendo platform," Zelnick stated. He acknowledged past challenges faced by third-party publishers in the Nintendo ecosystem but praised Nintendo's efforts to address these issues. "Historically, being a third party in the Nintendo business has been a bit challenging. I think Nintendo has been very forthcoming in addressing that. And we're stepping up too, because we have great optimism for the platform."
Take-Two Interactive plans to release four titles on the Nintendo Switch 2: Civilization 7 on launch day (June 5), entries from the NBA 2K and WWE 2K series (specific titles and release dates yet to be announced), and Borderlands 4 on September 12. These choices are not surprising, as Take-Two has already been publishing these franchises on the original Nintendo Switch. However, Zelnick's comments suggest that the door might be open for additional releases from Take-Two's extensive back catalog in the future. While GTA 6 is unlikely to be included, there's a possibility that GTA V could eventually make its way to the platform.
In a pre-call interview, Zelnick also discussed the company's performance over the past quarter and provided insights into the development timeline of GTA 6, which has recently been delayed to next year. His comments underscore Take-Two's strategic approach to platform support, emphasizing a case-by-case evaluation to ensure they meet consumer demand where it's strongest.
