Hades II finally locks 1.0 release — timed Switch exclusive, big performance claims, real-world

Why this caught my attention

Hades on Switch became my nightly “one more run” ritual, so hearing Hades II is finally hitting version 1.0 and launching as a timed console exclusive on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 on September 25 made me sit up. The early access build on PC already had the Supergiant magic – crisp combat, smart storytelling, Melinoe’s vibe – but the big question was always “when can I take it on the go?” Now we have dates, performance promises, and a physical edition on November 20. Let’s separate the hype from the stuff that matters when you’re actually playing.

Key takeaways

• Digital launch September 25 on PC and Nintendo; physical Switch copies land November 20.
• Timed console exclusive on Switch/Switch 2 – expect other consoles later, but not at launch.
• Switch 2 marketing targets 1080p/120fps on TV and 1080p/60 portable; base Switch is 720p/60.
• Cross-save across PC and Nintendo means your early access progress can come with you.

Breaking down the release: dates, platforms, price

Hades II leaves early access and goes 1.0 on September 25. On that day you’ll be able to buy it digitally on PC (Steam/Epic) and on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. The boxed Switch version follows on November 20 — good news for collectors who missed out on the excellent Hades 1 physical. Preorders are live, with a recommended retail price of €49.99; if you’re shopping physical in certain regions, Leclerc is advertising €36.90, which is a chunky discount for day one. No word on fancy collector’s goodies — looks like a clean standard release for now.

Performance promises vs. real-world play

On paper, the breakdown is simple: base Switch targets 720p/60 in both handheld and docked. Switch 2 is pitched at 1080p/120 on TV and 1080p/60 in handheld, alongside beefed-up textures and effects. For a razor-sharp action roguelike, high refresh matters — tighter dash windows feel better at 120fps, and input response is everything when a miniboss floods the screen with hazards.

I’m cautiously optimistic, but I want to see how those numbers hold under pressure. Supergiant is usually excellent at hitting stable performance on Nintendo hardware (Hades 1 on Switch is still a benchmark port), yet 120fps on console is rare outside performance-focused shooters. If Switch 2 can lock it without ugly dynamic-resolution dives, that’s a genuine advantage. If it can’t, a clean 60 is perfectly fine — consistency beats fluctuating frame rates every time in a game this pacey. I’m also watching load times; fast retry loops are part of Hades’ magic, and long waits between runs would kill momentum on base Switch.

What’s new since early access

You play as Melinoe, immortal princess of the Underworld, squaring off against Chronos, the Titan of Time. The early access arc already established a bigger world than the first game, and 1.0 is set to layer on full story conclusions, new encounters, and late-game surprises. The build leans into sorcery in a way Hades 1 didn’t — you can infuse weapons with magic, opening up distinct playstyles on top of your chosen arms.

• New weapons: several fresh tools with unique movesets, not just reskins of Zagreus’ arsenal.
• Expanded biomes: more varied mythic spaces with traversal twists and enemy combos that punish autopilot play.
• Boons galore: a deep bench of Olympians with new status effects and synergy puzzles that reward run-to-run experimentation.
• Fully voiced cast: returning favorites alongside new faces, with that trademark Supergiant banter that evolves as you die, learn, and die again.

If you bounced off early access to wait for the “complete” story, this is the moment. Supergiant historically uses 1.0 to tighten the difficulty curve, tuck in final art passes, and lock in the soundtrack bangers. Expect a more deliberate mid-to-late-game and a true endpoint — without losing the infinite-run loop that keeps roguelikes alive.

Cross-save is the quiet killer feature

Cross-save across PC, Switch, and Switch 2 means your early access grind isn’t wasted. In Hades 1, the team nailed a simple cloud-sync menu that just worked; if Hades II repeats that, bouncing between desk and couch becomes frictionless. Also useful: if you buy on Switch now and later pick up a Switch 2, there’s a free upgrade path to the enhanced version. That’s how you respect players’ time and wallets.

The business angle: Nintendo gets another prestige indie

Calling this a “timed console exclusive” all but telegraphs eventual releases on other consoles — Hades 1 followed a similar path, hitting Switch first before broader platforms. In the meantime, Nintendo gets a feather in its cap for the fall window, and Switch owners get first dibs on the definitive couch roguelike. If you care about a cartridge, the November 20 physical is the one to watch; given the €49.99 MSRP, that €36.90 preorder offer looks like the best value play right now.

What I’m watching on day one

• Frame stability on base Switch during late-game chaos and boss phases.
• Whether Switch 2 actually holds 120fps or leans on dynamic resolution to keep up.
• Load times between deaths and rooms — Hades’ loop lives or dies on snappy restarts.
• UI legibility and text size in handheld; Hades 1 was fine, but denser effects could crowd the screen.
• Control options: remapping, aim assists, and any gyro support for fine directional casting.

TL;DR

Hades II goes 1.0 on September 25 with a timed console exclusive on Switch and Switch 2, cross-save, and big performance promises. If Supergiant sticks the landing — stable frames, fast retries, smart story wrap-up — this becomes the new must-have on Nintendo handhelds. If you’re physical-first, November 20 is your date, and that sub-€40 preorder looks like a steal.