The character Siren getting new skills in the customization menu in 'Borderlands 2.' (Photo : YouTube/ 2K)
The Nintendo Switch currently has a solid lineup of launch games, both from Nintendo and a few third-party developers. However, one game that fans are guaranteed to miss out on is the upcoming "Borderlands 3" from Gearbox Software.
Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford made the announcement on Twitter, responding to a fan asking if the game was launching on Nintendo's new console. He stated that while they were intiially planning to release the game on the Switch, it was Nintendo that halted communications.
@dECU_nutt I do not see that as happening. We were talking to Nintendo, but that stopped for some reason. They have other priorities.
— Randy Pitchford (@DuvalMagic) January 15, 2017
It should be noted that while the game is in development, Gearbox has yet to officially unveil it to the public. Its official title is also still unknown. Despite the lack of details, the game is one of the most highly anticipated games and its absence on the Switch may spell bad news for Nintendo.
There is the possibility that Nintendo ended discussions with Gearbox due to the developer's poor performance in recent years. Other than the "Borderlands" franchise, they have received poor feedback for their other games such as "Aliens: Colonial Marines," Game Rant reported.
Even the well-received "Battleborn" did not receive much attention following its launch. The game was quickly abandoned by players in favor of Blizzard Entertainment's "Overwatch." Gearbox's "Brothers in Arms" reboot is also notoriously known for being in development hell.
Nintendo also has a very strong lineup of first party games such as "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," "Super Mario Odyssey" and "Splatoon 2." There are some notable third party games coming such as "Xenoblade Chronicles 2," "Sonic Mania" and "Ultra Street Fighter II: The Final Challengers."
The lack of "Borderlands 3" on the Switch is even more surprising given that the series' publisher, 2K Games, has pledged support for the system. 2K Games is in fact publishing a new "NBA 2K" title on the Switch, Gamespot reported.
The Nintendo Switch will launch on March 3. No official release date has yet been announced for "Borderland 3." The launch trailer for "Borderlands 2" can be viewed below:
