The Nintendo Switch 2 version of High on Life 2 has been delayed from its original April 20 release date to July 1. Digital preorders already placed will be cancelled, though physical preorders will remain in place, with shipment expected in July.
Squanch Games said it had decided to delay the release in order to deliver the highest quality experiences, noting that the additional work towards production would allow the studio to better meet its own high standards for gaming, as well as those of players. The studio faces the familiar challenge of adapting an existing game across different hardware, particularly the unique architecture and capabilities of Nintendo's latest portable console.
High on Life 2 launched on February 13 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store, and Microsoft Store. The delay means Switch 2 owners will wait roughly two months longer than players on competing platforms. For a title that thrives on irreverent humour and timing-dependent joke delivery, that production buffer may prove necessary.
The original April 20 release date wasn't accidental. The franchise is called High on Life in the first place because the plot involves aliens coming to Earth and using humans as a recreational drug, so 4/20 would have been very fitting for a release date. That particular wink is now lost, replaced by a mid-summer launch that no longer carries the same comedic alignment.
The game received mixed reviews from critics, who praised improvements made to the story and traversal mechanics, but criticised the technical issues upon launch and shooting mechanics. Port work for handheld systems requires extensive optimisation beyond simply reducing resolution, particularly for a game built around rapid movement and skateboarding mechanics. The additional time may help Squanch Games avoid the technical stumbles that marred earlier reviews.
Switch 2 owners who had committed to digital preorders will need to reconsider, though those with physical orders are locked in. The publisher continues supporting the console's growing library even as it navigates the practical challenges of bringing recent major releases to Nintendo's new hardware.