The year 2022 was a turning point for the Nintendo Switch library. During a September Nintendo Direct showcase, two titles that had already captured the hearts of players on other platforms were finally confirmed for the hybrid console. Tunic, the enigmatic adventure from Finji, and It Takes Two, the cooperative masterpiece from Hazelight Studios, were set to arrive within weeks of each other. Fast-forward to 2026, and the question is no longer whether these games would succeed on Switch — it’s how they managed to become such essential parts of the handheld’s legacy.
What makes a top-down adventure linger in the mind long after the credits roll? Why can a forced co-op platformer rebuild real-life relationships? Over the past four years, both Tunic and It Takes Two have answered these questions in their own unique ways, transforming from highly anticipated ports into timeless experiences.
🦊 Tunic: A Fox’s Tale of Mystery and Discovery
Even before its September 27, 2022 launch on Switch, Tunic had already won over players on Xbox and PC since its initial release in March of that year. The isometric action-adventure, often compared to early Zelda titles, puts players in the tiny paws of a fox exploring a ruined, whimsical world. There are no hand-holding tutorials; instead, you gradually piece together a manual written in a cryptic language, with its pages scattered across the map. Every discovered fragment feels like a revelation, and every solved puzzle brings a rush of pure satisfaction.
Finji’s decision to release Tunic simultaneously on Switch, PS4, and PS5 on that autumn day meant that a whole new audience could experience its intricate design. The game’s boss fights, showcased in a short but mesmerizing trailer, were brutal yet fair, rewarding observation and patience. Items like the sword, shield, and magic wand weren’t just tools — they were keys that reshaped how the fox interacted with the environment. Switch players quickly embraced the game’s handwritten tip system, sharing their own annotated maps on forums and social media, turning solitary exploration into a communal hunt for secrets.
Why did Tunic thrive on the Switch in particular? The answer lies in the console’s portability. The ability to chip away at a dungeon during a commute or lie in bed deciphering a new manual page made the adventure feel personal, intimate. Four years later, Tunic remains a benchmark for indie puzzle design, frequently cited in discussions about games that trust the player’s intelligence.
👫 It Takes Two: A Cooperative Crusade for Connection
When November 4, 2022 arrived, the Switch gained a completely different kind of milestone. It Takes Two, developed by Hazelight Studios and published under the EA Originals label, was already a phenomenon. Before its Switch debut, the game had topped 10 million sales across other platforms, telling the story of Cody and May, a married couple on the brink of divorce. Transformed into tiny dolls by their daughter’s tears, the pair must navigate a fantastical, often hilarious world that mirrors their broken relationship — and find a way to mend it.
The Switch port did not compromise the game’s core: mandatory split-screen cooperative play, either locally or online. One friend could control Cody, the other May, with each section offering wildly different abilities. From piloting a plane made of underwear to commanding a magical hammer and nails, the gameplay never lets complacency set in. More importantly, the narrative, co-directed by Josef Fares, never uses cooperation as a mere gimmick; it turns teamwork into therapy. Couples, siblings, and best friends around the world have since reported that playing It Takes Two together did more than entertain — it opened conversations they had been avoiding.
Around the same time, Hazelight announced a collaboration with dj2 Entertainment to adapt the game for television, a project that has since moved forward with considerable anticipation. The Switch community, often lauded for its emphasis on local multiplayer, embraced the game immediately. Even now, in 2026, “have you played It Takes Two yet?” remains a common icebreaker in gaming circles, a testament to its enduring emotional impact.
Legacy and Availability
Pre-orders for both titles opened in advance of their respective launches, and the digital queues were long. Today, those pre-order dates feel like distant memories, but the games themselves continue to sell strongly on the Nintendo eShop. Physical editions have become collectors’ items, especially for Tunic, whose manual-inspired case insert became an instant classic.
A quick comparison highlights why these two games, so different in tone and mechanics, both found a permanent home on Switch:
| Feature | Tunic | It Takes Two |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Finji | Hazelight Studios |
| Initial Release | March 2022 (Xbox, PC) | March 2021 (Other platforms) |
| Switch Launch | September 27, 2022 | November 4, 2022 |
| Genre | Action-adventure, puzzle | Cooperative action-platformer |
| Players | Single-player | Two-player mandatory (local/online) |
| Protagonist(s) | A small fox | Cody and May |
| Key Mechanic | In-game manual deciphering | Constantly evolving tandem abilities |
| Notable Achievement | Inspired community collaboration | Over 10 million sales; TV adaptation announced |
One might wonder whether the Switch’s hardware posed limitations for these visually distinct titles. Tunic’s vibrant, low-poly aesthetic felt right at home, with only minor loading hiccups that patches soon smoothed out. It Takes Two required a steady frame rate for its demanding split-screen action, and the port held up admirably, thanks to careful optimization. Both games proved that art direction and clever design can triumph over raw power.
As 2026 unfolds, the influence of Tunic’s puzzle language can be seen in newer indie titles that embrace player-driven discovery over map markers. Meanwhile, It Takes Two continues to inspire developers to take risks with narrative-driven co-op. The Switch might be in its twilight years, but its library remains vibrant, in large part because of 2022’s twin arrivals. Whether you’re guiding a fox through a forgotten kingdom or hammering nails into a wall with your partner, these two adventures remind us why we play: to explore and to connect.