The Ascent arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 in December
The cyberpunk shooter The Ascent is finally coming to handheld gaming, with a confirmed launch date of December 2 for the Nintendo Switch 2.
Neon Giant, the Swedish studio behind The Ascent, has officially confirmed that its action-shooter RPG will arrive on the Nintendo Switch 2 on December 2. This release marks a significant expansion for the title, which has been available on PC and consoles since 2021. The announcement was made during a recent Nintendo Direct presentation, fulfilling a promise made earlier this year in the game’s fifth-anniversary roadmap. For players who have followed the game’s multi-platform journey, this port represents the final major piece of the puzzle, bringing the dense, neon-soaked world of Veles to the latest hybrid hardware.
The game is set to launch as a digital exclusive through the Nintendo eShop, packaged as the 'Ultimate Edition.' This bundle includes the base game along with all three previously released downloadable content packs: Cyber Heist, CyberSec Pack, and Cyber Warrior Pack. By combining these elements, the developer ensures that new players have immediate access to the complete narrative and gameplay experience without needing to purchase add-ons separately. The version will support ten languages, including English, French, German, and Japanese, catering to a broad international audience.
Pre-order incentives and pricing details
Pre-orders for the Switch 2 version will open on October 5. During this initial window, the Ultimate Edition will be available at a discounted price of $26.99, representing a 10% savings off the standard $29.99 tag. This offer remains active until the official launch date on December 2. As with most digital releases, there is no physical copy mentioned for this specific edition, meaning players will need to download the game directly to their device or storage card.
A unified patch improves existing versions
Ahead of the new platform launch, Neon Giant plans to release a 'Legacy Patch' on November 19 for the PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation versions. This update will address previously identified issues and improve localization. Crucially, these fixes will also be integrated into the Nintendo Switch 2 version, ensuring that all platforms operate from a similar technical baseline. For existing players, this patch serves as a final quality-of-life update before the game moves on to its next chapter on the new hardware.
Context for the growing player base
According to reporting from GN technics/gaming, The Ascent has attracted more than 12 million players since its original release. The game supports solo play or cooperative sessions with up to four players, making it a viable option for group gaming on the go. The Switch 2 release allows fans to take this experience outside the living room, leveraging the portability of the new console. While the game is visually demanding, the studio has emphasized technical ambition in its development process, aiming to deliver a high-impact experience that fits within the constraints of handheld hardware.
