Baldur's Gate 3 Switch 2 Port Canceled: Why Larian Studios Couldn't Bring the Hit RPG to Nintendo

The dream of playing Baldur’s Gate 3 on the Nintendo Switch 2 is over, and according to Larian Studios CEO Swen Vincke, it "wasn't our decision to make." This definitive statement, which clarifies months of speculation, dashes the hopes of millions of fans and serves as a potent case study in the modern gaming industry. It highlights a recurring reality: when a studio works with a licensed intellectual property, creative and commercial control often lies elsewhere. The fate of Baldur’s Gate 3 on Nintendo’s platform stands in stark contrast to Larian’s unfettered freedom with its own Divinity franchise, painting a clear picture of how ownership dictates destiny.

The Official Word: No Baldur's Gate 3 for Switch 2

The confirmation came directly from the top during a Reddit "Ask Me Anything" session with Swen Vincke in January 2026. When questioned about the potential for a Switch 2 port, Vincke’s response was unambiguous. He stated that such a port "wasn't our decision to make," effectively shutting the door on one of the community’s most requested ports. This phrasing immediately shifted the conversation from technical feasibility to corporate authority.

Vincke’s statement was corroborated by noted industry insider NateTheHate, who had previously reported that the port was not in production as of late 2025. NateTheHate characterized the situation as "complicated," specifically pointing to the intricate relationship between Larian Studios and the IP holder, Wizards of the Coast. This insider perspective aligned perfectly with Vincke’s public admission, confirming that the barrier was not one of engineering, but of permission.

Untangling the Decision: Larian vs. Wizards of the Coast

To understand this outcome, one must understand the power dynamic at play. Larian Studios is the brilliant developer behind Baldur’s Gate 3, but it does not own the world in which the game is set. The Dungeons & Dragons universe and the Baldur’s Gate franchise are the intellectual property of Wizards of the Coast, which is itself owned by Hasbro. This means that for any new platform release, spin-off, or major content expansion, Larian requires approval from WotC.

Vincke made Larian’s position clear: the studio "would have liked to" bring the game to the Switch 2. The desire was there, and the technical capability, as we will explore, was plausible. The missing ingredient was the green light from the IP owner. Wizards of the Coast has maintained an official "no comment" stance on the matter, leaving the reasons for withholding approval to speculation. Whether it was a strategic decision about brand alignment, financial terms, or internal roadmaps, the final say rested not in Ghent, Belgium, but in Renton, Washington.

A Tale of Two Franchises: Baldur's Gate vs. Divinity

The frustration of this blocked port is amplified when contrasted with Larian’s actions regarding its own original franchise. In December 2025, Larian released a free, enhanced version of Divinity: Original Sin 2 for modern consoles, including the Nintendo Switch 2. This move required no external approval because Larian owns the Divinity IP outright.

This distinction is the core of the story. Vincke has stated that the studio will "certainly consider" releasing their next Divinity game on the Switch 2. The studio’s future is firmly rooted in this universe, with its next project announced as its biggest yet, featuring the signature turn-based combat and co-op support the studio is known for. This pivot back to their own creative playground was foreshadowed by Larian’s abandonment of another planned Dungeons & Dragons project after BG3, because, as Vincke shared, the team’s "heart wasn’t in it." The message is clear: Larian values its creative autonomy, and its future plans reflect that priority.

The Technical Feasibility and Lasting Legacy

The Technical Feasibility

The most poignant detail in this saga is that a Switch 2 port was almost certainly technically possible. Major development on Baldur’s Gate 3 has concluded, with Larian now fully focused on its new Divinity project, making a complex port unlikely from a resource standpoint. However, the technical barrier was not insurmountable. Industry analysis suggests the Nintendo Switch 2’s speculated power would place it above the Xbox Series S, a console on which Baldur’s Gate 3 runs successfully. Therefore, the decision to keep the game off Nintendo’s next console was purely a business and legal one, not a technical limitation.

The Unmatched Legacy

This corporate decision does nothing to diminish the staggering legacy of Baldur’s Gate 3. The game has sold over 20 million copies, earned Wizards of the Coast an estimated $90 million in royalty revenue within months of launch, and achieved critical acclaim, including a perfect 10/10 score from IGN France. It remains a generation-defining RPG.

Conclusion: Ownership, Autonomy, and the Path Forward

The saga of Baldur’s Gate 3 and the Switch 2 demonstrates that even a game of unparalleled success and cultural impact can be constrained by the intricate web of intellectual property rights. Developer intent and technical possibility were secondary to a boardroom decision.

For Nintendo fans, this means the door to the Forgotten Realms on a hybrid console appears to be firmly closed. For Larian Studios, the path forward is clear and self-determined. By championing its own Divinity universe, the studio retains the keys to its creative and commercial future. This episode serves as a definitive reminder: in the business of blockbuster games, who owns the world ultimately controls the gates.

Tags: Baldur's Gate 3, Nintendo Switch 2, Larian Studios, Wizards of the Coast, Gaming News