According to new reports, the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 will officially not include a built-in achievement system. This confirmation came directly from Bill Trinen, Vice President of Product Marketing and Player Experience at Nintendo of America.
This announcement came as a surprise to many fans, especially after hearing that games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom would feature achievements. However, these achievements are only accessible through the Nintendo Switch mobile app, not the console itself.
While many players were hoping Nintendo would finally add a full achievement system — similar to Xbox Achievements or PlayStation Trophies — the company has made it clear that the Switch 2 won’t support this feature natively.
Third-Party Developers Can Still Add Achievements
Even though Nintendo itself won’t support achievements, this doesn’t mean all games will lack them. Third-party studios can still add their own systems.
For example:
- EA might continue adding achievement tracking for titles like Madden 26, EA Sports FC, and Need for Speed: Underground Reboot through player-linked EA accounts.
- Ubisoft could use its Ubisoft Connect platform to include trophies in games like Assassin’s Creed: Echoes or Far Cry: Wildlands Remastered.
- Bandai Namco might implement achievement tracking in titles like Tekken Rebirth or Tales of Lumina.
However, since Nintendo doesn’t offer native support, players won’t be able to view, share, or compare achievements on the console itself — a key feature many gamers enjoy on other platforms.
Nintendo Switch 2 Launch and Pre-Order Details
The new Nintendo Switch 2 is set to launch globally on June 5, 2025. Pre-orders will open starting April 8 or 9, depending on the region.
In the United States, however, pre-orders might face delays due to new tariffs recently introduced by the Trump administration. These new regulations may lead to distribution issues and slower rollouts for American customers.
Why No Achievements? Nintendo’s Focus Might Be Elsewhere
Some believe Nintendo’s decision to skip achievements comes from its philosophy of keeping gaming experiences simple and focused on fun, rather than competition or stats.
Nintendo has historically prioritized creative gameplay, family-friendly content, and innovation. Instead of achievements, the company might focus more on:
- Improved graphics and performance
- New Joy-Con features
- Expanded cloud gaming options
- Deeper integration with Nintendo Online
Fan Reaction and Industry Impact
Many fans have shared their disappointment online. Achievements are more than just bragging rights — they add replay value, encourage exploration, and motivate players to fully complete a game.
Some longtime players feel that not having a unified system puts Nintendo behind competitors, especially as Microsoft and Sony continue to expand their online ecosystems.
Still, others argue that Nintendo’s unique charm has always been about gameplay first, and achievements aren’t essential to enjoy classics like Super Mario, Zelda, or Animal Crossing.
Looking Ahead: What We Know So Far
Here’s what we know about the Nintendo Switch 2:
- Launch Date: June 5, 2025
- Pre-Orders Begin: April 8–9, 2025
- No native support for Achievements
- Possible launch titles include:
- Metroid Prime: Nexus
- Donkey Kong Jungle Rampage
- Pokémon Eclipse
- Super Mario Dimensions
- Zelda: Twilight Realms
Despite the absence of achievements, Nintendo Switch 2 still looks to be one of the most exciting console releases of the decade, with a strong game lineup and hardware improvements.
