Arc System Works Developing 'Watari' Exclusively For Nintendo Switch 2

Reportedly, Arc System Works, the famous studio that made Guilty Gear -Strive- and BlazBlue, is working on a Nintendo Switch 2-only game using Unreal Engine 5. This has caused a lot of excitement in the gaming community. The rumor came from a reliable source and was confirmed by a leaker. The game is about a project codenamed "Watari" that will come out on November 25.

Even though no details about how to play have been confirmed, the fact that Arc System Works is involved suggests something important. The studio is best known for making great fighting games, but it has also worked on action games and beat-em-ups. Due to the technical requirements of Unreal Engine 5 and the fact that this project is unique, rumors point to a new action RPG or adventure game rather than a traditional fighter. 

This fits with what the industry thinks will happen, which is that a fighting game will probably come out on more than one platform so that it can support more players. This rumored exclusive fits in with broader discussions in the industry about the Nintendo Switch 2's role as a more powerful platform that works well with third-party games. The original Switch surprised everyone, especially people in Japan, where it quickly gained a huge following of fans. 

However, at first, several third-party developers didn't think the platform would be successful, so they only made ports and smaller projects instead of full-fledged original games. The Nintendo Switch 2 is a big step forward in terms of what the hardware can do and how the industry sees it. Developers are now seeing how useful the platform could be, especially in Japan, where it still reigns supreme. 

Reports say the Switch 2 will not only have the same hardware as current-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, but it will also have more development options, which could lead more studios to make exclusive or lead-platform games.

Besides Arc System Works' project, more and more big third-party games are said to be coming to the Nintendo Switch 2. These include Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077, Split Fiction, and the new Project 007. Based on these early signs, Nintendo may finally be getting rid of its reputation as a second-rate place to get third-party AAA games.

If the rumors are true, Watari could be a very important time for both Nintendo and Arc System Works. This would be the studio's first exclusive release for a Nintendo console of this generation. It could also change the way that top Japanese developers support Nintendo consoles of the future.

As always, it's important to stress that this is just a rumor until Nintendo or Arc System Works confirms it. But it's hard to ignore what this means: the Nintendo Switch 2 may enter a market that's more open and powerful than any Nintendo platform in decades.