Switch 2 Officially Has 2 Exclusive GOTY Contenders In September 2026
September 2026 is shaping up to be one of the busiest months for Nintendo's Switch 2 console since its launch. Publishers are rushing to release their games ahead of the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6. The Switch 2 lineup for the month features two exclusive titles considered potential Game of the Year contenders, alongside three major third-party AAA releases and a sequel to a beloved indie game.
The gaming industry is preparing for an incredibly busy September 2026 as publishers rush to launch their titles before the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6 hits the market. Although Rockstar's upcoming blockbuster is not slated for the Switch 2, Nintendo's platform is experiencing a similar rush. The console is set to enjoy its most active month of releases since its initial launch, highlighted by two exclusive titles that are already being discussed as potential Game of the Year contenders.
In addition to these high-profile exclusives, the Switch 2 will host three major AAA third-party games launching on day one, alongside a sequel to a highly regarded indie title. Players can also look forward to a diverse selection of ports arriving on the platform on September 2. These ports include Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, the survival experiences Valheim and RuneScape: Dragonwilds, action-oriented titles Hell is Us and Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, and the classic role-playing game Dragon Quest 11 S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition.
Kicking off the new releases on September 2 is Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault, developed by Digital Sun. The original 2018 game won fans over by blending cozy shopkeeping mechanics with Zelda-style dungeon crawling. For this sequel, the developers have transitioned from a traditional 2D presentation to a 3D isometric perspective. The gameplay also shifts to draw heavy inspiration from the action-roguelite style popularized by Hades, where players explore dungeons by night to gather crafting materials for their daytime shop.
Arriving on September 3 is Orbitals, a rare third-party exclusive for the Switch 2 developed by Tokyo-based Shapefarm and published by Kepler Interactive. This two-player cooperative puzzle-platformer is designed in the spirit of titles like It Takes Two and Split Fiction. Orbitals serves as a stylish, retro-inspired tribute to the optimistic, all-ages science fiction anime of the 1980s, such as the French-produced Ulysses 31. The game is highly anticipated for its striking art direction and fluid animation quality.
Capcom continues its strong day-one support for the Switch 2 with Onimusha: Way of the Sword, releasing on September 4. This title represents the first mainline entry in the historical fantasy action-adventure franchise in two decades. Capcom has clarified that the game does not follow the Soulslike formula, choosing instead to focus heavily on a sophisticated swordplay system. Players will navigate Edo-period Kyoto, engaging in precise combat against rival swordsmen, demons, and other supernatural threats.
On September 17, Nintendo and Intelligent Systems will launch Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave. There is high anticipation that this tactical RPG will capture the same level of narrative and gameplay excellence seen in the 2013 classic Fire Emblem: Awakening. Following the massive surge in franchise popularity brought on by Three Houses, this new entry follows four distinct protagonists competing in a heroic arena tournament. The title is being eyed as a major exclusive contender for year-end accolades.
EA Sports FC 27 is scheduled to launch on September 25, capitalizing on the global wave of soccer enthusiasm following the 2026 World Cup. Operating without the FIFA brand, this year's entry introduces a street-style social hub called The Grounds. In this mode, players can customize and progress their characters while participating in casual kickabouts, minigames, and club matches. The game also features the return of fictional favorites Ted Lasso and AFC Richmond.
Rounding out the month's major releases on September 29 is Minecraft Dungeons 2. This sequel to the 2020 cooperative dungeon crawler supports up to four players as they battle mobs and collect loot. While maintaining the core appeal of the original, the sequel introduces visual enhancements, a new jump mechanic, and an expanded loot system. Armor is now divided into four separate pieces to match the main Minecraft game, and a new talisman slot has been added to allow for more stat-boosting customization.
Source: Polygon — original reporting
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