007 First Light on Switch 2 finally has a release date, with IO Interactive confirming that its young James Bond origin story lands on Nintendo’s console on 18 March 2027, almost ten months after it launched on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC on 27 May 2026.
Pre-orders are open now, there’s a $69.99 Deluxe Edition with a pile of gadgets and outfits, and IO says the extra time is all about making it run properly, but after slipping more than once, is this port worth waiting for? Let’s find out!
Why Has the 007 First Light Switch 2 Version Taken So Long?
The Switch 2 version was originally meant to arrive alongside the other platforms, and then it slipped, and then it slipped again, with a September 2026 delay pushing it into an unspecified March window before this week’s announcement pinned it down.
As FullCleared reports, IO Interactive says the remaining development time is focused on optimisation and performance on Switch 2, which is exactly what you want to hear, because nobody wants Bond running like he’s been stirred, shaken, and then dropped down a flight of stairs.
IO did let people go hands-on with Switch 2 builds at gamescom and Tokyo Game Show, and says the reaction was positive, and a new gameplay trailer dropped alongside the date announcement. That’s encouraging, though “people liked a demo at a show” and “the full campaign holds up from start to finish” are two very different things, aren’t they?
What’s in the 007 First Light Deluxe Edition?
According to Insider Gaming and FullCleared, the Deluxe Edition is priced at $69.99, and here’s what comes with it:
- Early access to the GoldenEye Suit, which is also the pre-order bonus
- Four gadgets: the Gleaming Lighter, Gleaming Earphones, Gleaming Dart Gun and Gleaming Pen
- Four outfits: Day of the Dead, Desert Explorer, Silent Anchor and Gentleman Operator
- Amazon exclusive Special Edition, which throws in Bond’s classic tuxedo
What we don’t have yet is a standard edition price for Switch 2, and there’s no word on whether the physical release will be a full cartridge or one of those game-key cards that are basically a very expensive download code in a box.
That’s a pretty important detail for a game this size, so I’d hold off on pre-ordering until IO or Nintendo clears it up!
Quick NoteCosmetic gadgets and outfits are nice, but none of them change the actual game, so if the standard edition comes in cheaper, that’s the one most people should be looking at.
Is 007 First Light Even Worth Playing?
For anyone who missed it, Gematsu lays out IO’s pitch, which is a standalone, reimagined origin story following Bond as a reckless young recruit in MI6’s training programme, with missions across different locations, iconic vehicles and a chase after a rogue agent.
You can go quiet or loud, using your fists, firearms, gadgets or simply bluffing your way past guards, which is about as Hitman-flavoured as you’d expect from the studio behind Agent 47.
There’s also a “Welcome to MI6” mode that lets you replay missions with extra modifiers, which should give it a bit of replay value on a handheld, where short, repeatable missions honestly make a lot of sense.
The big question is whether the Switch 2 can handle IO’s fairly detailed levels without turning into a blurry mess. From what the Resident Evil devs have shown us, I fully think the little Switch 2 can go at it and succeed. That said, the optimisation with IO’s recent releases is my main point of skepticism.
Should You Pre-Order 007 First Light on Switch 2?
If Switch 2 is your only console, or you really want to play Bond on the go, then it’s worth keeping an eye on, but I’d wait for the standard price, the cartridge question and some real performance footage before handing over any money.
March 2027 is a long way off, and pre-order bonuses like an early suit aren’t worth locking in a $69.99 purchase this early.
If you’ve got a PS5, Xbox or a decent PC, the game is already out there right now, so there’s no reason to wait five months for a version that, at best, will be a slightly compromised one. Big console ports on Nintendo hardware can absolutely work, as we argued when Red Dead Redemption’s Switch port came to the rescue, but IO has to actually stick the landing first!
FAQs
When does 007 First Light come out on Switch 2?
007 First Light launches on Switch 2 on 18 March 2027, with pre-orders open now through the Nintendo Store, Amazon and other retailers.
How much is 007 First Light on Switch 2?
The 007 First Light Deluxe Edition costs $69.99 on Switch 2. A standard edition price hasn’t been confirmed yet.
Why was 007 First Light on Switch 2 delayed?
IO Interactive says the extra time on the 007 First Light Switch 2 version is focused on optimisation and performance for Nintendo’s hardware.
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