https://gamerant.com/new-switch-games-surprise-launch-horizon-chase-2/The Switch receives yet another game out of the blue following a surprise launch announcement during the September Nintendo Direct.
Horizon Chase 2 is now available on the Switch, with its surprise release receiving confirmation during the latest Nintendo Direct. This love letter to 8- and 16-bit racers has so far been exclusive to iOS devices.
Developed by Brazilian studio Aquiris, Horizon Chase 2 is a follow-up on Horizon Chase Turbo, a 2018 homage to arcade racing game classics from the '90s. This sequel originally debuted on iOS devices as an Apple Arcade exclusive in early September 2022. Aquiris used the game's mobile launch as an opportunity to confirm that it's working on bringing its latest title to PC and "all major consoles" in 2023, but has been mum on the matter ever since.
The Switch version of Horizon Chase 2 is the first of its ports to hit the market, having just reached the eShop within minutes of its release announcement during the September 2023 Nintendo Direct. This turn of events might surprise racing game fans, not least because the Switch and Xbox One were the last platforms to receive Aquiris's last title in November 2018, some six months after Horizon Chase Turbo debuted on the PS4 and PC. It is still unclear when Horizon Chase 2 will reach the rest of its target platforms.
In the meantime, Switch owners with fond memories of classics like Lotus Turbo Challenge and Top Gear are in for a treat, with Horizon Chase 2 delivering yet another love letter to such iconic arcade racers from the '90s. But while its core gameplay formula is focused on emulating thrilling lap chasing perfected by its role models, Aquiris's latest title very much belongs to the 21st century, as underlined by its incredibly vivid graphics and a touch of modern genre elements like car customization and performance upgrades.
Online and split-screen multiplayer modes are also part of the package, as is an original score by Barry Leitch, a bona fide legend in arcade racing circles who authored a variety of iconic soundtracks for the likes of Rush, TFX, and San Francisco Rush 2049. The overall experience has already received widespread praise among mobile gamers, with Horizon Chase 2 being lauded as one of the best games on Apple Arcade since its 2022 debut.
While this Switch release is a surprise treat for fans of arcade racing games, it remains to be seen whether Aquiris continues its Horizon Chase series moving forward. Namely, the Brazilian studio has just been acquired by Epic back in April, with its new parent previously saying that its first-ever Latin American studio will primarily work on content and "social experiences" for Fortnite.
Horizon Chase 2 is available on iOS and Switch. Ports for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S are also in development.
