Assassin’s Creed Shadows Lands on Nintendo Switch 2: File Size, Features, and Launch Details
- Sagar Mankar
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
Assassin’s Creed Shadows arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 this week, marking the franchise’s long-awaited return to a Nintendo platform.
Ubisoft is officially bringing its latest Assassin’s Creed entry to Nintendo’s new console on December 2.
This is a big deal, as the Nintendo platform has missed out on the franchise’s RPG era so far. Previous entries on Switch have largely been limited to remasters and collections like Black Flag and The Ezio Collection, but nothing from the newer, expansive open-world lineage. A Switch 2 release of Shadows marks the first brand-new title from the series landing on a Nintendo device in over a decade.
Players will jump into feudal Japan as either Naoe, the stealth-focused shinobi, or Yasuke, the powerhouse samurai. Ubisoft says you’ll get touchscreen navigation for menus, full cross-progression, and all post-launch updates included right from day one. The only exception is the Claws of Awaji DLC, which lands on Switch 2 in early 2026.
And yes—the game will cost $59.99.
One thing you’ll want to know before buying: Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a Game-Key Card release. In simple terms, the cartridge doesn’t hold the game itself—you’ll need to download it.
Shadows takes up 62.8 GB of storage. It’s bigger than Cyberpunk 2077 (60.6 GB), Madden NFL 26 (57.1 GB), and Yakuza 0: Director's Cut (45.3 GB), though still smaller than Split Fiction (69.2 GB) and the upcoming Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade (90-95 GB).
How Ubisoft Optimized It for Switch 2
Last week, Ubisoft also posted a detailed technical breakdown, revealing just how much re-engineering went into this port. The Switch 2 naturally can’t match the power of PS5 or Xbox Series X, but Ubisoft says it reworked “many fundamental systems”—from rendering to asset handling—to keep the experience smooth.
Some notable changes include:
30 FPS target in both handheld and docked
Reduced LOD, draw distance, and textures
Fewer NPCs in crowded hubs
No ray-traced global illumination (replaced with a baked solution Global Illumination system used on low-spec PC and Xbox Series S)
Heavy optimization for clouds, cloth physics, and world streaming
DLSS upscaling to maintain sharper visuals
HDR in docked mode and VRR with a custom 30 FPS algorithm
Touchscreen menus, maps, and full cross-progression
Expected Unlock Time for Switch 2 Players
While Ubisoft hasn’t posted exact launch timing, Nintendo’s standard eShop rollout applies. That means in North America, digital versions unlock at:
9:00 p.m. PT (Dec 1)
12:00 a.m. ET (Dec 2)
So if you prefer midnight releases, you’re covered.