Ember Lab's award-winning action-adventure is heading to Nintendo Switch 2 this spring, marking the first time the studio's celebrated debut title will appear on a Nintendo platform.The Switch 2 version will include the game's anniversary DLC and New Game+ mode, giving players access to a feature-complete package.
The timing proves strategic.Kena originally released for PC and PlayStation in 2021 before arriving on Xbox in 2024, yet somehow avoided Nintendo's ecosystem entirely until now. That gap feels oddly long for a game this visually distinctive and mechanically accessible.The game's gorgeous Pixar-lite aesthetic, cute critters and decidedly Zelda-y medley of combat, exploration and puzzle-solving make it a natural fit for Switch 2. You could argue the portable hardware was simply waiting for the machine powerful enough to do Ember Lab's animation work justice.
The Switch version will include the Anniversary DLC with Charmstones, Spirit Guide Trials, outfits for Kena and accessibility features, alongside New Game Plus. That's not a stripped-down port; it's a generous full package.
Ember Lab's announcement also signals confidence in the Switch 2 market at a crucial moment. The console isvery much in its port era, owing to publishers seizing the opportunity to take advantage of the new system's popularity and improved graphical grunt. The first five months matter. If a studio with Ember Lab's sensibilities sees Switch 2 as a worthwhile platform, that sends a message to other mid-tier developers.
The original Kena also carries real pedigree.It took home Best Independent Game and Best Debut Indie Game at The Game Awards 2021, andcurrently sits on a Metascore of 81 from 82 reviews.The game broke even within one month of launch, turning what could have been an experimental indie project into a genuine commercial success for Sony's publishing arm.
But here's where things get interesting. Ember Lab's big news this year isn't the Switch port.A sequel, Kena: Scars of Kosmora, is planned to release on PC and PlayStation 5 later in 2026. The studio framed the Switch 2 release as a chance for newcomers to catch up before the sequel arrives, not as the main event.In hopes of finding answers to the affliction she has endured all her life, Kena travels to the mysterious island of Kosmora, home to distinct cultures and regions full of buried secrets from a tragic past.The sequel adds new elemental gameplay to bring strategy and depth when facing the threats of Kosmora, with new combat skills and elemental infusions being key to overcoming challenging encounters and epic boss fights.
What's notable is that Ember Lab isn't promising a Switch 2 version of Scars of Kosmora.Ember Lab has once again partnered with PS Studios, so a period of exclusivity seems likely. That's fair enough. The original benefited from timed console exclusivity, and the relationship with Sony clearly works. But it also means Switch 2 owners hoping to continue Kena's story after this spring will need to wait and hope.
For now, though, this port solves a real problem. If you've been curious about Kena and never owned a PlayStation or Xbox, spring 2026 is your moment. You'll get a solid, gorgeous indie adventure with legitimate awards backing it up. And if you're the sort of player who does most of their gaming on a handheld, you no longer have to miss out.