Ever since the Nintendo Switch 2 first stepped into the spotlight in early 2025, it has been the gaming world’s favorite mystery guest. At the 2025 DICE Summit in Las Vegas, NetEase Games turned that mystery into real possibility for Marvel Rivals fans. Producer Weicong Wu confirmed the studio has been in contact with Nintendo and has already been working with development kits. That little detail sent the rumor mill into overdrive — and honestly, who could blame it?

For anyone hoping to see Doctor Strange or Luna Snow on a Nintendo handheld, this was the kind of news worth circling on the calendar. Wu did not promise a port, but he did make it clear that NetEase is not ignoring the shiny new hardware.

Why Marvel Rivals Skipped the Original Switch

The original Switch was a beloved little workhorse, but it had its limits. According to Wu, those limits were the main reason Marvel Rivals never showed up on the system. The game’s fast, chaotic, hero-packed matches ask a lot from any device. Think exploding ultimates, breakable environments, flying heroes, and six-versus-six skirmishes happening all at once. The aging Switch hardware just could not keep up without hurting the experience.

That was a classic case of a studio choosing quality over a quick port. Players might have grumbled, but the logic was sound.

Here is the short version:

• NetEase has Nintendo development kits.

• No port is confirmed yet.

• Performance is the main concern.

• Mouse-like Joy-Con controls could help.

The Mouse-Like Joy-Con Wildcard

One of the Switch 2’s most intriguing tricks is the Joy-Con controller’s potential mouse-like function. For a hero shooter like Marvel Rivals, where quick aiming and sharp flicks matter, that could be a game changer. A controller that can pretend to be a mouse might help bridge the gap between console comfort and PC-speed precision. It is still a big if, but it is the kind of if that keeps fans wide awake at night. 😄

A Busy Season for the Roster

While all this Switch 2 chatter was happening, Marvel Rivals had its hands full. Mister Fantastic and Invisible Woman had already joined the lineup. Human Torch and The Thing were next on the docket, arriving on February 21, 2025, as part of the mid-Season 1 update.

Character	Status in Early 2025
Mister Fantastic	Already playable
Invisible Woman	Already playable
Human Torch	Arrived February 21, 2025
The Thing	Arrived February 21, 2025

The update also came with a bit of drama. NetEase originally planned to reset every player’s rank during the mid-season patch. That idea did not sit well with the community. After some very loud social media pushback, the studio backed down. It was a quick reminder that Marvel Rivals players are passionate, loud, and not afraid to defend their climb.

The Switch 2’s Own Wild Ride

Nintendo’s next console also had its share of noise. Before launch, early units were reportedly floating around the black market with eye-watering price tags that flirted with $40,000. It was a surreal moment for a console that had not even fully revealed its secrets. Around the same time, Nintendo confirmed that most original Switch games would be backward compatible, with a few exceptions sprinkled in.

Nintendo saved more details for its April 2, 2025 Direct, and the Switch 2 eventually made its official debut later that year. Now, as 2026 rolls along, the Marvel Rivals question feels more alive than ever. NetEase’s interest is on the record. Development kits are in hand. The only missing piece is whether the final performance can make a Nintendo version feel right.

For now, fans can keep their fingers crossed and their expectations in check. The ball is in both courts — Nintendo’s hardware and NetEase’s standards. If the two finally line up, Marvel Rivals could end up being one of the Switch 2’s most exciting multiplayer surprises.