According to GameSpot, the Australian Nintendo eShop has listings for the episodic superhero game Dispatch, revealing plans for a launch on January 29, 2025, for both the original Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Switch 2. The listing confirms a free Switch 2 upgrade for owners, which promises enhanced resolution and improved frame rates and will require about 14.6GB of storage. The listed price is $43.95 AUD, though that’s with a launch discount and Australian prices are typically higher than US equivalents. For comparison, the game currently costs $30 on Steam and PS5. Developer AdHoc Studio has not made an official announcement, but the eShop pages strongly suggest the ports are happening. Dispatch is notable as one of GameSpot’s 10 best games for 2025.
The Switch 2 upgrade path is the real story
Look, the game itself coming to Switch is cool, but the real meat here is that eShop listing. It explicitly mentions a free Switch 2 upgrade. That’s a huge signal about Nintendo’s strategy. They’re clearly setting a precedent for cross-generational support right out of the gate, which is smart. It prevents the messy, paid “upgrade fee” situation we saw early in the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S lifecycle. Basically, they’re making it painless for developers and players to bridge the gap. This leak, accidental or not, gives us our clearest look yet at how software will transition to the new hardware. It’s a good sign.
What this leak tells us about timing and pricing
So, a January 29 release date. If the Switch 2 launches in, say, March 2025 as many speculate, this would be a perfect “launch window” title. It’s a critically acclaimed game that can show off the new hardware’s capabilities with those enhanced specs. Now, about that $43.95 AUD price. Australian game prices are always wild, but using Metroid Prime 4: Beyond as a benchmark at $109.95 AUD is telling. It suggests Dispatch will likely be a mid-tier priced game in the US, maybe around $30-$40. The fact that it’s listed at all, with such specific details, means the backend infrastructure for the Switch 2 eShop is already live and being populated. The cat is basically out of the bag.
Why this matters beyond one game
Here’s the thing: this isn’t just about Dispatch. This is a template. We can now expect to see more “dual-generation” listings pop up as we get closer to the Switch 2’s official reveal. It solves a big problem for Nintendo—how to keep the massive Switch 1 install base happy while enticing them to upgrade. Offering free, enhanced versions for new hardware purchases is a powerful incentive. It also gives third-party developers a clear, consumer-friendly model to follow. Will every game do this? Probably not. But for a title like this, which is graphically stylish but not a raw power hog, it’s a perfect fit. I think we’re seeing the soft launch of the Switch 2’s software policy, and that’s arguably more exciting than the game itself.
