"Take-Two CEO Optimistic About Nintendo Switch 2"

With the Nintendo Switch 2 launch just around the corner, excitement is building, and amidst the buzz about pricing, tariffs, and game key cards, one third-party publisher stands out with a positive outlook: Take-Two Interactive. In a recent Q&A session with investors following their full-year earnings report, CEO Strauss Zelnick expressed "great optimism" regarding Nintendo's upcoming console. He highlighted an improved relationship with Nintendo, noting that this time around, the support for third-party publishers is notably better than in the past.

Zelnick shared that Take-Two Interactive plans to launch four titles on the Nintendo Switch 2, marking a significant increase in their engagement with a new Nintendo platform. "We're launching four titles with Nintendo Switch 2, and that's I think a bigger array of releases than we've ever offered before with a new Nintendo platform," Zelnick stated. He acknowledged the historical challenges faced by third-party publishers in the Nintendo ecosystem but praised Nintendo's efforts to address these issues. "Historically, being a third party in the Nintendo business has been a bit challenging. I think Nintendo has been very forthcoming in addressing that. And we're stepping up too, because we have great optimism for the platform," he added.

The four titles Take-Two is bringing to the Nintendo Switch 2 include Civilization 7, set for a launch day release on June 5, the NBA 2K and WWE 2K series with unspecified titles and release dates, and Borderlands 4, scheduled for September 12. While these choices might not come as a surprise given Take-Two's existing portfolio on the original Switch, Zelnick's comments suggest potential future openings for other titles, particularly from their extensive back catalog. Although GTA 6 is unlikely to be included, there's a possibility that GTA V could eventually make its way to the new console.

In a pre-call interview, Zelnick also discussed the development timeline for GTA 6 and addressed the game's recent delay to next year, offering insights into Take-Two's strategic planning and future expectations.