Klei Entertainment shadow-dropped its four-player co-op roguelite Rotwood on Nintendo Switch 2 during Monday's Indie World Showcase, making it a console exclusive for Nintendo's new hardware. The surprise release came alongside Blue Prince, a critically acclaimed puzzle game from last year that also hit the platform immediately.
Rotwood launched simultaneously on PC and Switch 2 for $29.99, marking its official exit from Steam Early Access where it had been available since April 2024.
Developed by the studio behind Don't Starve, the side-scrolling action game features bright cartoon visuals and frenetic combat designed for cooperative play with up to three friends. The Switch 2 version represents a strategic win for Nintendo, securing temporary console exclusivity from an established indie developer known for hits like Don't Starve and Oxygen Not Included.
Klei Entertainment plans to shift from frequent early access updates to "less frequent, more substantial updates" now that Rotwood has reached its full release.
Blue Prince arrived with similar immediacy, available for download at a reduced price of £16.49 until March 11 before returning to its standard £24.99 cost. The puzzle adventure tasks players with dealing with a mysterious manor featuring shifting room layouts that change with each playthrough.
Both releases demonstrate Nintendo's aggressive push for day-one indie content on Switch 2, leveraging surprise announcements to generate immediate player engagement.
The Indie World Showcase revealed eighteen total games including Denshattack!, Moonlighter 2, and The Midnight Walk, though Rotwood and Blue Prince were the only titles available immediately.
Klei Entertainment confirmed it will continue monitoring player feedback while preparing "and expansive updates" for Rotwood's base game. No official critic scores are available yet for either title due to their recent release.
