Old Datamine Leak Hints Nintendo Switch 2 is Getting One of the Greatest Live Service Games That Recently Hit PS5, Xbox

As fans eagerly await the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, various leaks and rumors are surfacing online. Among these, one particularly intriguing leak stands out and even connects back to an old datamine. This leak suggests that there is a possibility: Valorant, the popular tactical hero shooter, might be coming to the next-gen console.

Initially, the datamine was interpreted as a Switch release, but with the Switch 2 on the horizon, this possibility seems much more plausible. Riot recently launched Valorant on consoles, and if the company is looking to expand its reach even further, bringing the game to Nintendo’s next-gen console would be a natural step, boosting both the game’s, and the handheld’s appeal.

A Leak Suggests Valorant is On its Way To Nintendo Switch 2

Released on PC in 2020, Valorant quickly became one of the most popular live-service and competitive games. With its unique blend of tactical shooting and utilizing various agents’ abilities to gain advantage, it captivated players’ hearts in just a few matches.

Recently, Riot Games even launched the game on consoles (PS5 and Xbox Series X|S), expanding its reach to even more players. While players are enjoying the launch, they are also asking a question: Is Switch/handheld next? While there was a datamine suggesting that the game might be getting developed for Switch, it didn’t come to fruition.

However, now that the Switch 2 release is approaching fast, the old datamine (original post has been deleted) is making so much more sense. After all, despite being powerful, Switch’s hardware is slowly starting to show its age (by the end of 2024), making it a potential obstacle for a game that requires fast-paced, competitive play.

With rumors and leaks suggesting the Switch 2 can handle even demanding games (with optimizations), it’s become more and more likely that we’ll see the release of Valorant on the handheld. As always, take all the leaks and rumors with a grain of salt.

A New Era for Handheld Gaming?

The potential arrival of Valorant on the Switch 2 could mark the beginning of a new era for live-service games on handheld consoles. Traditionally, games like League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, and Overwatch 2 have required a consistently high level of performance, which made handhelds unsuitable for this genre.

But with the fast-evolving technology, handheld gaming has come a long way, becoming powerful enough to even handle demanding games. And with rumors suggesting that Switch 2 will also boast greater performance, it could be the start of a new era where live-service games are viable on handhelds.

Additionally, industry insiders suggest that Sony and Microsoft are also eyeing the handheld market. The competition is heating up, and Nintendo may seize the opportunity to establish the Switch 2 as the go-to platform for live-service games on the go. If Valorant does indeed arrive on the Switch 2, it could open the floodgates for more live-service titles to follow suit.

In the end, whether you’re a Valorant fan or a competitive gaming enthusiast, the possibility of live service games making their way to the Switch 2 is an exciting development that could shape the future of handheld gaming for years to come.