More Hitman fans will have the chance to revisit Hitman: Absolution, with the game coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on October 22, 2026. Among Hitman fans, Absolution became the black sheep of the franchise, but this upcoming edition promises both veteran and newcomer players an enhanced gameplay experience.
Hitman: Absolution was initially launched in 2012 for PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 as a sequel to Hitman: Blood Money. Unlike its predecessor and other great Hitman games, Absolution disappointed many players for not following the saga’s formula of encouraging player freedom and stealth strategy. Instead, the game offers a more action-first and linear approach. Although it is quite a divisive title within the Hitman community, Absolution has since been ported to more platforms such as PS4, Xbox One, and, in 2025, Nintendo Switch. Now, the game is landing on yet another console with several visual improvements.
Hitman: Absolution Is Coming to Nintendo Switch 2 on October 22
As confirmed by publisher Feral Interactive, Hitman: Absolution will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on October 22. This version offers Joy-Con 2 mouse support and improved output resolution. On Nintendo Switch 2, docked mode will reach 1620p and handheld mode will reach 1080p; much higher than its Nintendo Switch counterpart. Additionally, the new version allows a maximum of 60 FPS in handheld mode. Other enhancements include the return of dynamic shadows as well as clothing and crowd animations. Feral Interactive also emphasized an increased level of detail in textures, mirrors, and rendering of distant objects. Finally, Hitman: Absolution‘s popular Contracts mode will be available on day one, letting fans complete challenges created by other players and compete in an online leaderboard.
Guess the games from the emojis.
Guess the games from the emojis.
Easy (120s)Medium (90s)Hard (60s)
From October 22 to November 4, players can buy the Nintendo Switch 2 edition of Hitman: Absolution for $29.99 at a 25% discount. After this period, the game will cost $39.99. On the other hand, players who already own the game on Nintendo Switch can access a free Upgrade Pack on launch day for a limited time. After November 4, the pack will be priced at $9.99. The launch discount will only last for a few days, so fans should not pass on the opportunity to play one of the best Hitman stories on their modern console.
Scratch & Peek
Identify the cover art while scratching off as little foil as
possible.
Hitman: Absolution may be the franchise’s most controversial entry, but it is arguably one of Square Enix’s most influential releases as well. Aside from introducing Contracts mode, the game was also notable for its unique AI that had NPCs reacting more realistically to players’ actions compared to other stealth games from that time. However, some players argue that Hitman: Absolution has more downsides than positive points.
Although IO Interactive’s current focus is 007 First Light‘s post-launch content, the Hitman saga is still ongoing. Hitman: World of Assassination periodically receives new DLC, for example. The game’s latest major cameo featured Mads Mikkelsen as Le Chiffre in April 2026, and Sean Bean as Mark Faba in late 2025. It will be interesting to see what new Hitman content releases next.
- Released
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November 20, 2012
- ESRB
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m
- Publisher(s)
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Square Enix
- Engine
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glacier engine
