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Controversy · comment analysis

Are Switch 2 exclusives worth buying the console for? What players say

What the comments on The Duskbloods, Splatoon Raiders and Orbitals really say, with the numbers

Updated: 01/10/2026
Because a single game is enough to force the choice: buy a Switch 2 to play it, or skip it. Refusal leads (~70% of opinions on the topic), mostly on The Duskbloods (~25% of the discussion), then Orbitals (~20%) and Splatoon Raiders (~9%).

The context

On April 2, 2025, FromSoftware announced The Duskbloods, a multiplayer action game for up to 8 online players, scheduled for 2026 exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo's store page lists it as a console exclusive and still gives a 2026 release window.

Orbitals, a two-player co-op adventure set in a retro anime-style sci-fi galaxy, was revealed at The Game Awards 2025 as a Switch 2 exclusive due in 2026. It is developed by Tokyo-based Shapefarm and published by Kepler Interactive.

Orbitals received an extended showing during the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase on February 5, 2026. Its September 3, 2026 release date was then announced during Nintendo's summer Direct, with pre-orders opening on the eShop.

Sources: Kadokawa : communiqué FromSoftware sur The Duskbloods (2 avril 2025) · Nintendo : fiche boutique de The Duskbloods · GoNintendo : Orbitals annoncé à The Game Awards 2025 · Orbitals : annonce officielle de la date de sortie

Factual background compiled from public sources — the debate analysis below relies exclusively on the comments.

How we got here

as told by the comments
June-July 2026

On The Duskbloods, the first flat refusals appear on June 19: some say they won't buy a Nintendo-only game. By early July, others are already betting on emulation to get around the console.

Jul 30-Aug 2

Around Splatoon Raiders the topic stays marginal: one commenter laments being unable to play it, another is surprised to see it listed among the reasons to buy a Switch 2.

Aug 20-22

Huge spike with the new Duskbloods showcase: 'sad I'll never play it' tops 16,000 likes, followed by a wave of 'no Switch, no game' replies.

Late August

Talk shifts to cost and fit: commenters cite console prices from $360 to $800, and call mandatory PvP out of place on a 'family console'.

September 10

With Orbitals the debate changes shape: nearly everyone praises the look, but many say they'd wait for a PC port or an emulator rather than buy the console.

Late September

Requests for PS5 and Xbox ports pile up under Orbitals around September 24, sometimes with a physical edition.

The Duskbloods

~25% of the discussion on this game

The topic makes up about a quarter of the conversation: many say they'll never play it without a Switch 2, and some find this hardcore PvP odd on a console seen as family-friendly.

Won't buy 85 %

The game looks appealing, but without a Switch 2 the door stays shut: many resign themselves to watching from the sidelines.
« Looks great. Sad to know I'll never get to play it. »
— @DarkKnightKaraco · ♥ 16 k · translated · see original ↗
No way they'll buy a console for a single game: they applaud the title but pass on it.
« Cool. I'm NOT buying a Switch, but still cool. »
— @RNG-Fuji · ♥ 422 · translated · see original ↗
The mismatch stands out: forced PvP on the market's coziest console.
« Wild to hand the coziest console the most hardcore Souls-style PvP experience, and a forced one at that. »
— @bangos-v8k · ♥ 4 k · translated · see original ↗

Ready to buy 15 %

Some players simply want to get in: access to the network test is enough to get them excited.
« This seems incredibly unique, I'm kind of blown away. Can't wait to play it in the network test. »
— @TheGoodIdiot89 · ♥ 19 · translated · see original ↗
According to one commenter, the exclusivity comes down to the publisher: Nintendo was supposedly the only one willing to publish it.
« The corporate PR speak in that first answer roughly translates to: 'Nintendo was the only company that actually wanted to publish this game.' »
— @pickcollins9910 · ♥ 344 · translated · see original ↗

Splatoon Raiders

~9% of the discussion on this game

Here the topic stays discreet (~9% of the conversation), buried under talk about story and gameplay. It shows up in touches: one regret, one surprise at the game justifying a console.

Won't buy 40 %

One commenter regrets still not being able to try this spin-off billed as record-breaking, for lack of the console.
« And I'm so sad I still can't experience this record-breaking spin-off. »
— @myst500 · ♥ 0 · translated · see original ↗

Ready to buy 60 %

Another is surprised the game now features among the reasons to buy a Switch 2.
« Who expected this game to end up on the list of reasons to buy a Switch 2? »
— @TricMagic · ♥ 0 · translated · see original ↗
Players, even newcomers to the series, say they were won over after reading the reviews.
« LOVE this game. I'd never played anything in the Splatoon series before, but the gameplay and reviews swayed me and I'm glad they did! Incredibly addictive, with perfectly implemented co-op. »
— @raheem__ · ♥ 80 · translated · see original ↗

Orbitals

~20% of the discussion on this game

About a fifth of the conversation: the art style is widely praised, but Switch 2 exclusivity and mandatory co-op lead many commenters to ask for PC, PS5 or Xbox versions.

Won't buy 75 %

Some avoid console exclusives on principle and wait for a PC release or a Switch 2 emulator.
« Sadly I don't play console exclusives even though I think it looks great. Call me when it's on PC or a Switch 2 emulator is up and running. »
— @MagnanimouseDX · ♥ 0 · translated · see original ↗
Some would buy it instantly on Steam and call it a shame it's stuck on Switch.
« It's a crime it's only on Switch! I'd instabuy it on Steam. »
— @bronzemuseum504 · ♥ 0 · translated · see original ↗
Exclusivity stacks on top of price and length: a short, co-op-only game seen as having limited appeal.
« Orbitals is a fun game, but its appeal as a $50, 4-hour, Switch 2 exclusive you can only play in co-op is unfortunately EXTREMELY limited. »
— @CyanLimes · ♥ 0 · translated · see original ↗

Ready to buy 25 %

For some, it's the only Switch 2 title they genuinely want to play.
« Orbitals is the only Switch 2 title I really want to play. »
— @suditeh · ♥ 0 · translated · see original ↗
One commenter considers getting his offline mother a Switch and sees this as a possible split-screen game to share.
« I was considering getting a Switch / Switch 2 for my mom, but she has no internet connection. If the split screen doesn't require an online connection, this game might be something we could play together once in a while. »
— @yochitoranaga · ♥ 0 · translated · see original ↗
Where the debate standsAmong those raising the topic, refusing to buy a console for a single game clearly leads, with about 70% of opinions across all games. The debate runs hottest on The Duskbloods, then Orbitals, where it shifts toward port requests. On Splatoon Raiders it stays marginal and more evenly split.

Frequently asked questions

Why is The Duskbloods' Switch 2 exclusivity criticized?
According to commenters, many don't want to buy a console for a single game. Others find mandatory PvP out of place on a 'family console'. Around 85% of opinions on the exclusivity are negative.
Which games are caught up in this debate?
Three games in the corpus: The Duskbloods (~25% of the discussion), Orbitals (~20%) and Splatoon Raiders (~9%). The debate is mostly lively on the first two.
Do players hope for versions on other platforms?
Yes. Under Orbitals, commenters ask for PC, PS5 and Xbox versions, sometimes with a physical edition. Under The Duskbloods, some bet on a PC release or on emulation.
Are any players ready to buy a Switch 2 for one game?
A minority. Some commenters say Orbitals is the only Switch 2 title tempting them, or are surprised Splatoon Raiders counts among the reasons to buy the console.
Analysis built from 300 public YouTube comments on the tracked videos — updated on 01/10/2026. Our methodology