Indiana Jones Cracks His Whip on Switch 2 — Everything You Need to Know

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is Finally Coming to Nintendo Switch 2

Alright, Switch 2 owners, get ready to dust off that fedora and whip—one of the year's most impressive AAA action-adventure games is making its way to Nintendo's new console. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle will arrive on Nintendo Switch 2 on May 12, 2026, and it's shaping up to be one of the first major third-party blockbusters to prove that the new hardware can handle big-budget games.

If you've been on the fence about grabbing this one, or if you're a die-hard Indy fan who's been waiting for the chance to play it on the go, we've got all the details you need to make your decision. Let's break down what we're getting and what you should expect when the game hits shelves next month.

What to Expect Performance-Wise

Let's talk specs, because this is the part that matters for smoothness and visual quality. MachineGames, the studio behind the port, has done solid work here. You're looking at 1080p when docked and 720p in handheld mode, with a consistent 30 FPS frame rate. Now, before you groan about the 30 FPS cap, remember that this is an action-adventure game with complex environments and detailed lighting, not a competitive shooter where every frame matters for twitch reflexes.

According to MachineGames themselves, this is a "one-to-one" port from the versions available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. That means you're getting the same game experience—the same mechanics, the same story, the same cinematic action sequences—just optimized for Switch 2's hardware. For a handheld console, that's genuinely impressive.

The visual downgrade from 4K on current-gen consoles to 1080p docked is noticeable, sure, but if you've ever played a AAA game on Switch in handheld mode, you'll probably be pleasantly surprised by how good it looks. The Havok physics engine still does its thing, the whip cracks satisfyingly, and those tomb interiors still feel atmospheric and detailed.

Storage Space You'll Need to Budget For

Here's where things get real: Indiana Jones takes up a significant chunk of your Switch 2 storage. The base game is 59.7GB. Yeah, that's a hefty install, even on modern standards. If you're planning to grab this day one, you might want to think about picking up a microSD card if you don't already have one, or clear out some space from other games.

But wait, there's more—and we mean that literally. MachineGames has confirmed that a standalone DLC expansion called The Order of Giants is coming post-launch and will weigh in at 4.4GB. So if you're planning to get the full experience eventually, you're looking at over 64GB total. Not a dealbreaker, just something to keep in mind for your setup.

That Sweet Pre-Order Bonus

If you're the type to lock in your pre-order early, there's incentive to do so. Grab Indiana Jones and the Great Circle before launch, and you'll snag The Last Crusade Pack. This bonus includes the Traveling Suit Outfit and Lion Tamer Whip—cosmetics that'll make your Indy look pretty slick as he's solving puzzles and dodging traps.

The Last Crusade reference is chef's kiss for fans of the franchise, so whether you care about cosmetics or not, it's a nice touch that shows MachineGames respects the source material.

A Big Deal for Switch 2's Library

Let's zoom out for a second. Indiana Jones and the Great Circle arriving on Switch 2 is legitimately significant for the console. It's one of the first major AAA third-party titles to make the jump to Nintendo's new hardware, and it's not a port from five years ago or a watered-down version—it's a current-generation game that released in December 2024.

This matters because it signals to other publishers that Switch 2 is worth developing for seriously. If MachineGames can pull off a "one-to-one" port of a game this ambitious, it opens the door for other studios to consider bringing their big titles to Nintendo's ecosystem. That's great news for anyone who prefers playing games on a portable device or just loves the flexibility of Switch's hybrid nature.

Should You Pick It Up?

If you dig action-adventure games with a strong story, solid exploration mechanics, and iconic characters, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is absolutely worth your time and money. The Switch 2 version won't blow your mind graphically compared to the PS5 or Xbox Series X versions, but for a portable experience, it's genuinely impressive.

Mark your calendar for May 12, 2026—that's when Indy arrives on Switch 2. Get your whip ready.