If you’ve ever lost hours to the original Hades, you know how a roguelike can somehow feel like both punishment and reward at the same time. Every failed run is secretly a lesson, every setback nudges you to get smarter, sharper, and just a little more obsessed. Now, with Hades 2 gearing up for its official launch, Nintendo has pulled off a move that caught a lot of gamers by surprise — the sequel will hit Nintendo Switch 1 and 2 first as a timed console exclusive, with a release date locked in for September 25, 2025.
And here’s the kicker: on the shiny new Nintendo Switch 2, it’ll run at a jaw-dropping 120 frames per second in TV mode. That’s not just a technical brag. For a game that thrives on tight combat, razor-sharp reactions, and split-second decision making, that kind of fluidity could be the difference between a frustrating death and a glorious run that carries you deeper into the Underworld.
Why This Announcement Feels Bigger Than Just a Release Date
Sure, Nintendo Directs always bring surprises, but this reveal hit differently. Hades 2 isn’t just another indie darling making the jump to console. It’s one of the most anticipated sequels in modern gaming. The first Hades was a rare lightning-in-a-bottle moment — a game that critics adored, players couldn’t put down, and streamers made go viral.
Locking down Hades 2 as a timed console exclusive signals that Nintendo knows exactly what kind of cultural force this series can be. For the Switch 2 especially, this feels like Nintendo planting a flag: “This is where the best indie-meets-AAA experiences happen first.”
And let’s be honest, exclusives have always been Nintendo’s secret sauce. But this time, it isn’t Mario, Zelda, or Pokémon carrying the weight. It’s a roguelike born from a small but fiercely creative studio, Supergiant Games, that has built a cult following by doing things their own way.
The Tech Side: 120fps Isn’t Just Numbers on Paper
For the uninitiated, 120fps might sound like overkill. After all, most console players grew up on 30fps or 60fps without thinking twice. But if you’ve ever jumped from 60fps to 120fps in a fast-paced game, you know the difference isn’t subtle — it feels like someone took off a layer of blur from reality.
Now picture this in the world of Hades. Every dodge roll, every perfectly timed attack, every projectile dodged by the skin of your teeth becomes smoother and more precise. It’s not just about making the game prettier. It’s about giving players more control, more responsiveness, and honestly, more adrenaline.
On the base Nintendo Switch, Hades 2 will still hold steady at 60fps, which is nothing to sneeze at. Plus, Nintendo confirmed a free upgrade path if you start on Switch 1 and later jump to Switch 2. That’s a consumer-friendly move that avoids the dreaded “double-dip” purchase some publishers love to push.
Cross-Save Support: Small Feature, Huge Impact
Another detail that could easily be overlooked but deserves attention is cross-save compatibility. If you’ve already sunk hours into the early access PC version (via Steam or Epic), you won’t have to abandon that progress. You can carry it straight over to Switch.
This matters because roguelikes are not “one-and-done” games. They’re long-term commitments. You might die 200 times before you feel like you’ve truly mastered a weapon or reached a meaningful narrative beat. Having that progress travel with you — from PC to console, or between Switch models — means you can pick up where you left off, whether you’re grinding runs on your couch or sneaking in one more attempt on a handheld commute.
It’s the kind of quality-of-life feature that sounds small in press releases but makes a massive difference in the day-to-day lives of players.
The Story: Stepping Into New Shoes
While the technical side is grabbing headlines, let’s not forget the soul of Hades 2 — its narrative. This time, you’re not Zagreus (the rebellious son of Hades). Instead, you play as the Princess of the Underworld, a new protagonist stepping into a much larger mythic playground.
Supergiant teased that the sequel dives deeper into Greek mythology, introducing new gods, new enemies, and a looming threat tied to the Titan of Time. That last detail alone feels like a massive step up in stakes. Time isn’t just another villain; it’s an elemental force, a challenge baked into the very fabric of the roguelike genre. If death resets everything, what happens when Time itself becomes your enemy?
That’s the kind of narrative twist that Supergiant excels at. They don’t just give you weapons and enemies — they wrap mechanics and story together so tightly that you feel like your failures and victories actually matter in the world you’re exploring.
Nintendo’s Strategy: Why Hades 2 First?
Some fans are asking the obvious: why no PlayStation or Xbox date yet? It’s a fair question. Both platforms would love to showcase Hades 2 at launch. But here’s where Nintendo’s timing makes sense.
The Switch 2 needs statement titles to prove it isn’t just a mild upgrade. Sure, hardware specs will matter to tech reviewers, but to everyday gamers, it’s about the experience. Announcing that one of the most anticipated indie sequels will not only arrive first but also run at 120fps out of the gate is exactly the kind of flex that helps the Switch 2 carve out its identity.
It’s also a reminder that Nintendo doesn’t always need its mascots to win the spotlight. Sometimes, lending their stage to an outside studio creates just as much hype — maybe even more.
Release Plans: Digital First, Physical Later
Nintendo confirmed that Hades 2 will drop digitally on September 25 for both Switch 1 and Switch 2. Pre-orders are opening on the My Nintendo Store and eShop right away.
Physical collectors won’t be left out either — boxed copies will roll out on November 20, 2025. That staggered approach has become more common lately, as publishers push digital launches first to meet demand and then circle back with physical editions for fans who want something to hold.
What This Means for Gamers
So, why does all this matter? Here’s how I see it:
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For roguelike fans: This is validation that the genre isn’t niche anymore. It’s mainstream. Hades 2 on Switch 2 running at 120fps is proof that even smaller studios can push technical boundaries.
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For Nintendo players: It’s a signal that the Switch 2 is worth considering early. Not because of a Mario or Zelda launch (at least not yet), but because Nintendo is smart enough to champion other studios’ heavy-hitters.
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For cross-platform gamers: Yes, you’ll probably get your PlayStation or Xbox version later. But if you want to experience it first — and at its smoothest — Nintendo has you covered.
Final Thoughts: Why Hades 2 Could Be a Defining Moment
When you step back, Hades 2 isn’t just another sequel. It’s a chance for Nintendo, Supergiant, and the roguelike genre as a whole to show how far things have come. Ten years ago, the idea of an indie studio headlining a major console launch window would’ve sounded impossible. Today, it feels natural.
As someone who played the first Hades until I could practically hear Zagreus’ voice in my dreams, this sequel feels like a promise fulfilled. Faster performance, deeper story, broader world — all wrapped in a package that’s coming to the platform most of us probably didn’t expect.
Come September 25, a lot of gamers will be diving headfirst into the Underworld again. And this time, with Time itself as the enemy, every second — and every frame — will count.
