At Gamescom 2025, one of the loudest voices praising Nintendo’s newest console wasn’t a Nintendo executive but Randy Pitchford, the founder, president, and CEO of Gearbox Software. 
In a candid interview with GamesRadar, Pitchford spoke with unrestrained enthusiasm about the Nintendo Switch 2, a system he describes not just as an upgrade, but as a transformative refinement of what made the original Switch such a cultural phenomenon.
Pitchford emphasized that the Switch 2 strikes an ideal balance between familiarity and advancement. While it doesn’t radically reinvent the hybrid-console concept, it polishes nearly every aspect of it. “The Switch 2 is an awesome, awesome machine,” he said, stressing that the device goes beyond simply adding power. According to him, Nintendo invested heavily not just in stronger hardware, but also in software improvements and new connectivity features that make social and online play more seamless than ever. For Pitchford, this approach shows Nintendo’s clear understanding of what players want most: a console that feels familiar yet offers tangible leaps forward.
That enthusiasm is backed by commercial momentum. The Switch 2 has already achieved what analysts describe as the most successful launch in console history, outpacing even the explosive rollouts of earlier generations. Pitchford admitted that the overwhelming response makes it even more attractive for studios like Gearbox to prioritize the system as a home for their games. “Nintendo just had the most successful new console launch in the history of video game consoles, and I don’t think that’s slowing down,” he said.
Gearbox is no stranger to Nintendo’s audience. Borderlands 4, scheduled for release on October 3, will hit the Switch 2 just weeks after its debut on PC and other consoles. This quick turnaround shows the company’s commitment to treating Nintendo’s hardware as a first-class citizen in its release strategy. Pitchford also teased, albeit cautiously, that more Gearbox titles could find their way onto the system. He avoided revealing specifics but hinted at future plans: “We love making games, and we love entertaining people, and we want to be on the platforms where the people that want us to be are.”
Speculation immediately turned to Gearbox’s pipeline. The studio is known to be working on a new Brothers in Arms project, a long-awaited revival of its acclaimed tactical shooter franchise, as well as a possible sequel to 2022’s Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, the chaotic, fantasy-infused spin-off of Borderlands. While the development status of these titles remains unclear, both would be strong candidates to showcase the Switch 2’s capabilities and broaden its library beyond first-party Nintendo staples.
For Nintendo fans, Pitchford’s comments underscore an exciting shift: more third-party developers are not only willing but eager to support the Switch 2 at launch and beyond. With stronger hardware, smoother multiplayer options, and a historic start in sales, the Switch 2 seems poised to be more than a successor – it could very well define Nintendo’s future in the console space. If Gearbox and other major studios deliver, players can expect a rich ecosystem that blends Nintendo’s magic with robust support from Western developers who once hesitated to prioritize Nintendo hardware.
1 comment
pitchford always hypes up stuff lol but this time maybe true