Resident Evil Requiem launches day-and-date on Switch 2—and it’s cheaper

The real surprise: Switch 2 gets the cheapest version of Capcom’s next Resident Evil

Capcom has announced Resident Evil Requiem for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2 with a global release set for February 27, 2026. That’s a big deal on its own-day-and-date support from Capcom says a lot about where Nintendo’s next machine sits in third-party plans. But what really caught my eye was the Amazon UK preorder pricing: £59.95 on Switch 2 versus £64.95 on PS5 and Xbox. Switch getting the cheaper physical edition? That’s not the usual playbook, and it raises a few pointed questions.

Key Takeaways

• Requiem hits every major platform the same day-strong signal for Switch 2’s third-party viability.
• Amazon UK lists the Switch 2 physical at ~£5 less, unusual given cartridge costs.
• Lower price could hint at a code-in-box release, smaller cart with big download, or simple placeholder pricing.
• Before preordering, wait for clarity on performance targets, storage needs, and whether the physical Switch 2 copy includes a full cartridge.

Breaking down the announcement

Capcom calling its shot this far out signals confidence: a survival-horror with a name like “Requiem” all but promises a tonal swing back to dread and isolation. Platform-wise, the headline is parity. Historically, Resident Evil on the original Switch was mostly handled via cloud versions (RE7, RE2, RE3, Village)-a workaround that never felt great for portable horror. For Switch 2 to be in the day-one club implies Capcom believes the hardware can handle RE Engine natively, or at least deliver a version they’re willing to ship alongside PS5 and Series X|S. That’s a meaningful shift.

The price wrinkle is where things get interesting. Retailers love placeholders, and £59.95 vs £64.95 could change tomorrow. Still, Switch games historically cost more to manufacture on cartridge, not less. If this lower price holds, it either reflects a strategic push to seed the Switch 2 library with marquee third-party titles, or it hides a caveat players won’t spot from a thumbnail.

Why would the Switch 2 version undercut PS5 and Xbox?

• Code-in-box possibility: To avoid pricier high-capacity cartridges, publishers sometimes ship a case with a download code or a minimal cart that requires a massive download. It’s not consumer-friendly, but it does cut manufacturing costs.
• Amazon-specific pricing: Retailers sometimes shave a few quid off one SKU to drive clicks. If this is just Amazon maneuvering, expect prices to normalize closer to launch.
• Strategic discounting: Early in a console lifecycle, platform holders and partners nudge prices to accelerate adoption. A cheaper Switch 2 SKU would be a subtle but effective nudge.
• Content parity vs. feature parity: If the Switch 2 build trims ray tracing, haptics, or modes, a slightly lower MSRP could be positioning, not a red flag.

The technical questions that actually matter

Capcom’s RE Engine scales surprisingly well—Monster Hunter Rise proved that on the original Switch even as Resident Evil leaned on cloud solutions. For Requiem on Switch 2, the practical questions are the same ones that decide where most of us buy:

• Frame rate and resolution: Is Switch 2 targeting 60 FPS with dynamic resolution, or 30 FPS with higher fidelity? Horror works at 30, but responsiveness matters when a licker is sprinting at your face.
• Upscaling tech: On PC, RE games play nice with FSR and DLSS; if Switch 2 supports a modern upscaler, image quality could punch above its weight in docked mode.
• Storage footprint: If the physical Switch 2 version uses a smaller cart, how big is the day-one download? Storage pain can kill portable play.
• Input features: PS5’s adaptive triggers and haptics elevate atmosphere. What’s the Switch 2 equivalent? Immersion tools matter in horror.
• Cross-progression: If Capcom supports cross-save (even just PC to console), it changes how multi-platform players buy.

The gamer’s perspective: which version should you buy?

If portability is your priority, a competent native Switch 2 version is a huge win for survival-horror fans. Horror shines under a blanket with headphones, and that’s always been the Switch fantasy—minus the cloud latency. The slightly cheaper price sweetens the deal, but it’s not the headline by itself.

If you want the cleanest image and the sturdiest performance, PS5, Series X, or a good PC will likely remain the safe bet. Resident Evil’s art direction thrives on crisp contrast and stable frame pacing; it’s why RE2 Remake felt so incredible on high-end hardware. Until Capcom publishes specs, assume the usual trade: Switch 2 gets convenience and flexibility; the others get brute-force fidelity and feature bells.

One hard rule: don’t lock a preorder until Capcom clarifies the physical contents on Switch 2. If the box is just a code—or a cart with a massive required download—you should know that before you buy. And if you’re sensitive to performance dips, wait for technical breakdowns close to launch. Survival-horror without consistency is scary for all the wrong reasons.

Looking ahead

Day-and-date Resident Evil on a Nintendo platform is the story here, even more than a small price gap. It suggests Switch 2 is in the core plan for big third parties rather than the late-port afterthought we endured last gen. If Requiem lands well, it’s a statement of intent—not just from Capcom, but from a publisher ecosystem that finally sees Nintendo’s hybrid as a primary platform again.

TL;DR

Resident Evil Requiem drops February 27, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Switch 2. Amazon UK lists the Switch 2 physical a fiver cheaper, which is unusual and could hint at a code-in-box or just retailer noise. The real win is day-and-date support—wait for Capcom’s specs before choosing your platform.