With the development of the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Borderlands 4 having been paused, IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak was asked about the fate of 007: First Light on Nintendo’s console. Speaking to The Game Business, Abrak has confirmed that it won’t suffer a similar fate, and that the team already has it running on Switch 2 hardware.
Abrak admitted that IO Interactive needs “a bit more time” to wrap up its work on the Nintendo Switch 2 version of 007: First Light, noting that the studio wants to make sure that it doesn’t face criticism for making a bad port. He also reaffirmed the Summer 2026 release window, with the caveat that it might end up coming out during the later parts of the season.
“It’s running on the Switch 2,” he said. “We just want to make sure it’s good as it can be. I don’t want to hear it wasn’t a good version. To be completely honest, we need a bit more time to get it where we want it to be. We said summer. It’s probably going to be late summer. But we’re going to get it out.”
He also went on to point out that James Bond games have had a “special place” on Nintendo’s platforms, likely referring to classic Nintendo 64 shooter Golden Eye. “Bond has a special place on Nintendo,” he said. “And I promise I will do everything I can, and I can do quite a lot being the CEO, to get that in a great shape.”
Borderlands 4 publisher Take-Two Interactive had confirmed through a statement in February that development on the looter shooter’s Switch 2 port had been paused. Spokesperson Alan Lewis said, “We made the difficult decision to pause development on that SKU,” before going on to reaffirm the company’s plans to release more games on Nintendo’s platform.
“Our focus continues to be delivering quality post-launch content for players on the ongoing improvements to optimize the game. We’re continuing to collaborate closely with our friends at Nintendo. We have ‘PGA Tour 2K25’ coming out and ‘WWE 2K26’ [for Switch 2], and we’re incredibly excited about bringing more of our titles to that platform in the future.”
Later reports, however, have indicated that Gearbox was facing quite a bit of trouble in its attempts to bring Borderlands 4 to the Switch 2. Leaker NateTheHate said that development on the port had been “paused for a couple of months now.”
“It’s proven to be a challenge and has likely crossed over into the realm of investment/time needed to port it well being too high in comparison to sales potential.”
IO Interactive had originally intended to release the Switch 2 version of 007: First Light alongside its PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S versions on May 27th. The delay was officially announced just last month.
While you wait for 007: First Light, take a look at some of the details that were revealed about the title through a hands-on preview earlier this month. Also, check out a recent developer diary discussing its sound design and music.
