Nintendo’s Shiver Entertainment means big things for the Switch 2
Nintendo could be about to open the floodgates in a big way, and while most of us come to the House that Mario built for its first-party games, there are others that think it's sleeping on its third-party potential. As Nintendo gears up for its next console, there's an obvious question about which games are coming with it.
While Microsoft and Sony duke it out in the console wars, Nintendo largely sits on the sidelines and watches the money roll in with the best-selling console of the modern era. The Switch might've had a good run, but as all good things must come to an end, it's time to look to its successor.
Nintendo acquires Shiver Entertainment
When it comes to the lineup of Switch 2 games, we're expecting the likes of Metroid Prime 4, a Super Mario Odyssey sequel, and the long-rumoured Donkey Kong game. The 2023 release of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom means we might be waiting a while for a new Zelda, but what about our hopes for a Wind Waker remaster?
We've also seen Nintendo make moves toward third-party games, with ports becoming more popular in recent memory. Some of this is down to Shiver Entertainment, which has made its name porting the likes of Mortal Kombat 1 and Hogwarts Legacy.
In a new press release, Nintendo confirmed that it's acquired Shiver Entertainment from Embracer - after Embracer acquired it in 2021. The gaming giant is buying 100% of the outstanding shares, meaning the Miami-based developer will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nintendo.
"By welcoming Shiver’s experienced and accomplished development team, Nintendo aims to secure high-level resources for porting and developing software titles," says Nintendo.
"Going forward, even after it becomes a part of the Nintendo group, Shiver’s focus will remain the same, continuing commissions that port and develop software for multiple platforms including Nintendo Switch."
It's a port party
Click to enlargeWhat this means for the future of Nintendo remains unclear, although we'd expect at least some big third-party ports. The announcement makes no mention of when the Switch successor will release, although Shiver's acquisition is well-timed.
Nintendo says the Shiver deal "will have only a minor effect on Nintendo’s results for this fiscal year," suggesting that this is a more long-term plan. In terms of what games we'll see on the Switch 2, your guess is as good as ours. Fans have been throwing out some weird and wonderful ideas ranging from Metal Gear to Final Fantasy Rebirth.
There are plenty of critics in the replies, reminding us that Mortal Kombat 1's port got a particularly frosty reception. It's fair to say the Switch struggled with some of its ports, but with the next console expected to be a beefier brother, we're bracing for a new era where Nintendo ports might not look like they're being run on a potato.
