Nintendo’s Switch 2 development kits are no longer the mystery item they were rumored to be before the console launched in June 2025. According to comments from New Blood Interactive CEO Dave Oshry, the tools are now more attainable for studios that want to bring games to Nintendo’s latest handheld. But there’s a catch: getting the hardware is only part of the journey. Getting final approval to actually release a game on Switch 2 may still be a hurdle, especially for smaller teams.
New Blood Interactive, the studio behind Dusk and Blood West, is currently working on Dungeons of Dusk, a multi-platform dungeon crawler that the team hopes to release on Switch 2. Oshry explained that obtaining Switch 2 dev kits isn’t especially difficult and feels “not much different than the Switch 1” process. That indicates Nintendo has opened the door wider for developers than some early speculation suggested.
Still, not every developer appears to be getting the same outcome. Reports indicate some studios have applied and haven’t been approved, suggesting Nintendo is being selective about who gets the green light. In practical terms, a studio may be able to access development tools, build and test a port, and still not have certainty that the game will be allowed to ship on the platform.
That uncertainty is exactly what New Blood is experiencing. Even with promising results on Switch 2 dev hardware, the studio says its release is not guaranteed yet because it is still awaiting Nintendo’s approval to launch. Oshry’s remarks offer a rare look at why: Nintendo is actively trying to prevent the Switch 2 eShop from becoming overloaded with low-quality releases.
The goal is to avoid a repeat of what many players criticized on the original Switch eShop over time—an overwhelming flood of “shovelware,” cheap knockoffs, and low-effort titles that can bury higher-quality indie games. From Nintendo’s perspective, stricter approval and tighter storefront rules are intended to protect customers and improve discovery, so that well-made releases don’t get lost in a nonstop wave of clutter.
Nintendo also appears to be adjusting how its digital storefront surfaces games. In some regions, the eShop has reportedly shifted how it ranks titles, focusing on recent revenue performance rather than pure unit sales volume over a certain period. The idea is to reduce the visibility advantage that extremely cheap, low-effort releases can gain through high quantities sold, and to limit tactics commonly associated with copycat or AI-generated content. Other reported storefront changes include fewer repetitive bundles featuring the same products and clearer, more accurate listings.
For Dungeons of Dusk specifically, development on Switch 2 looks encouraging. Builds are said to run well, and the game even supports mouse controls—an interesting note that may appeal to players who like more precise navigation for certain genres. A playable demo is also available on PC, which gives fans a chance to see what the game is aiming for. Even so, the biggest remaining question is whether Nintendo will approve the title for release on Switch 2.
The bigger takeaway for indie developers and Switch 2 owners is this: Switch 2 dev kits may be easier to get than expected, but Nintendo is drawing firmer lines around what ultimately gets published. If these policies work as intended, the Switch 2 eShop could become easier to browse, with fewer low-quality distractions and better visibility for standout games. If not, developers may face longer waits and more uncertainty—even when their games are far from “slop.”
