WWE 2K19 will not get a release date for the Nintendo Switch. Unfortunately, 2K Games seemingly wasn’t able to overcome the technical barriers that plagued WWE 2K18 for the Switch. Instead of releasing an inferior product or producing a special-purpose engine, the company has decided against producing a version of the wrestling game for the Switch at all.
Why Isn’t WWE 2K19 Coming to Switch?
Given that WWE 2K18 for the Switch was pretty terrible, 2K might have made the best choice here. Some mainstream yearly sports games have made it to the Switch, but FIFA 18, in particular, has a Switch-optimized engine that had to be developed to port the game. It’s probably for the best if WWE 2K18 for the Switch was any indicator, as that port showed all the hardware’s weaknesses while not playing up any of its strengths.
PR representing 2K Sports had this to say about the omission of a Switch version of WWE 2K19:
“WWE 2K19 will not be available on Nintendo Switch. 2K is focused on making the best possible experience for WWE 2K fans and will continue evaluating all opportunities to deliver the franchise across additional platforms.”
I’m not a huge fan of the Switch being a port machine, but it’s a fact that lovers of the console have to deal with. At least 2K is making what is arguably the most customer-friendly (while still being the most cost-effective) choice of not producing some shovelware disaster. The Wii and Wii U had enough inferior, and sometimes downright insulting, ports to last Nintendo fans a lifetime.
Fortunately, the Switch continues to get its fair share of good ports. Although wrestling fans might be bummed that WWE 2K19 isn’t coming to the platform, the game will still be available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One on October 8, 2018. Plus, who knows, maybe a sweet new indie title will come along to fill the wrestling void in the Switch’s library.
