It looks like Assassin’s Creed Shadows could be sneaking its way onto Nintendo’s highly anticipated Switch 2 console. A premature retail listing has seemingly confirmed the existence of a Switch 2 version of Ubisoft’s open-world samurai epic, giving fans even more reason to believe the title will soon join Nintendo’s next-gen lineup.
The discovery comes from a product page briefly published on the French retailer Auchan, which showcased a physical edition of Assassin’s Creed Shadows for the Switch 2. Interestingly, the box art featured a “Game-Key Card” label instead of a traditional cartridge — a format Nintendo appears to be using more frequently for larger third-party titles. The listing was quickly taken down, but not before screenshots started circulating across Reddit and gaming forums.
🗡️ A Growing List of Clues
While Ubisoft hasn’t officially confirmed a Switch 2 port, this leak adds to months of speculation surrounding the project. Assassin’s Creed Shadows originally launched on March 20, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Rumors of a Nintendo version date back to mid-2024, when dataminers spotted internal references to “NX2 optimization” in pre-release development files.
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot also hinted at upcoming “new versions” of Assassin’s Creed Shadows during the company’s July 2025 earnings call, suggesting more announcements were on the horizon. He specifically mentioned that one of these versions would release during the ongoing fiscal year — which conveniently ends in March 2026, aligning with the expected launch window of the Switch 2.
đź’ľ Why a “Game-Key Card” Instead of a Cartridge?
The rumored use of a Game-Key Card instead of a cartridge might be a practical necessity. The file size of Assassin’s Creed Shadows ranges from 100GB to 123GB, depending on the platform, which far exceeds the 64GB limit of Nintendo’s largest current cartridges.
Even with lower-resolution assets or compressed textures, fitting the game onto a cartridge would be difficult. The Game-Key format instead allows players to download the full game digitally using a unique code included in the box. While this approach has been criticized by fans who prefer physical ownership, it offers several benefits:
-
Faster load times from the Switch 2’s internal flash storage
-
Lower production costs compared to cartridges
-
Easier patching and content updates post-launch
🌸 Ubisoft’s Expanding Switch 2 Support
This wouldn’t be the first major Ubisoft release for Nintendo’s new hybrid console. The publisher already launched Star Wars Outlaws on the Switch 2 eShop in September 2025, marking one of the system’s first blockbuster titles. Adding Assassin’s Creed Shadows to the mix would further solidify Ubisoft’s commitment to supporting the platform early in its life cycle.
The studio has also confirmed an iOS port of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, which is still awaiting an official release date. Between the Apple and Nintendo versions, Ubisoft appears to be expanding the reach of its flagship historical action series far beyond the traditional console ecosystem.
đź”® What This Means for Fans
If true, the Switch 2 version could mark the first time a mainline Assassin’s Creed game has launched on a Nintendo console at near-parity with other platforms. The improved hardware of the Switch 2, rumored to support DLSS 3.5 and ray tracing, could allow the game to run smoothly at 60 FPS — something unthinkable on the original Switch.
While fans await official confirmation, all signs point toward Ubisoft gearing up for a major announcement soon. Until then, the leak serves as yet another reminder that even the stealthiest assassins can’t always escape the eyes of the internet.