Hitman Switch 2 Bug Fixes and 007: First Light Plans Announced

IO Interactive’s Hitman: World of Assassination - Signature Edition launched alongside the Nintendo Switch 2 on June 5, 2025, bringing Agent 47’s stealth adventures to the hybrid console. The game, a compilation of the Hitman trilogy with added content like the Hitman 2 Expansion Pack, Hitman 3 Deluxe Pack, and Seven Deadly Sins Pack, offers over 100 hours of missions, including Contracts, Freelancer, and Elusive Targets. However, the launch was marred by technical hiccups, with players reporting stuttering, frame rate drops, and other performance issues, particularly in handheld mode. IO Interactive has now confirmed they are working on solutions, with updates planned for this summer to smooth out the experience.

The Switch 2 port, unlike the cloud-based Hitman 3 on the original Switch, runs natively, leveraging the console’s upgraded hardware, which developers compare to a PS4 Pro or Xbox Series S in power. Despite this, the game’s performance has lagged behind its PS5, Xbox Series, and PC counterparts, prompting criticism on platforms like X, where players have noted inconsistent frame rates and occasional crashes, especially in dense levels like Dubai or Mendoza. IO’s Glacier engine, praised for its flexibility, has enabled rapid porting to the Switch 2, but optimization challenges remain. The studio’s experience with the original Switch’s cloud version, which fell short of Nintendo’s expectations, drove their decision to deliver a native port, addressing what CEO Hakan Abrak called “unfinished business.”

IO Interactive has acknowledged these issues and is actively working on fixes. Franchise director Jonathan Lacaille told VGC,

“So for Hitman, the team is working on some of those performance issues right now, and they are addressing it over the summer.”

No specific release date for the update was provided, but the commitment to resolving stuttering and frame rate dips suggests a focus on stabilizing gameplay across both docked and handheld modes. The update will likely target key pain points, such as lag during complex NPC interactions or transitions between large map areas, which have been highlighted in community feedback on X.

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The Glacier engine’s role in this process is significant. Lacaille credits the in-house technology for allowing IO to bring Hitman: World of Assassination to multiple platforms with minimal friction. The engine’s efficiency has been crucial for adapting the game’s detailed environments and AI systems to the Switch 2’s hardware, which, while powerful for a hybrid, struggles with the game’s high demands compared to more robust consoles. This experience is also informing IO’s next project, 007: First Light, set to launch natively on Switch 2 alongside PC, PS5, and Xbox Series. The studio’s collaboration with Nintendo, described as strong and ongoing, has facilitated this multi-platform approach, building on lessons from the Switch 2 port.

The upcoming 007: First Light marks a bold step for IO Interactive, moving beyond the Hitman series to craft a new James Bond universe. Unlike previous Bond games tied to film actors or stories, this project, announced in November 2020, features an original narrative and a young Bond designed for gamers. Hakan Abrak, speaking to DR in January 2021, explained, “We have been allowed to make our own digital Bond, which will not lean on a Bond actor. We also came up with a completely original story, and you could easily imagine that a trilogy could come out of it.” The game, powered by the Glacier engine, aims to deliver immersive stealth and action, with a gameplay reveal planned for this summer. Abrak’s vision, shared in an October 2024 IGN interview, emphasizes a Bond that players can “call their own and grow with,” potentially launching a trilogy.

The deal for 007: First Light came after nearly two years of pitching to Eon Productions, led by Barbara Broccoli, who initially doubted video games’ ability to honor Bond’s legacy due to past titles’ focus on “violence for the sake of violence.” IO’s pitch, rooted in their Hitman expertise, won her over, with Abrak noting her growing enthusiasm during their London meeting. The project’s scope has led IO to expand, aiming to grow from 200 to 400 employees, with recruitment ongoing for roles like technical director and lead game designer at their Malmö studio. MGM’s Robert Marick highlighted IO’s ability to craft “living, breathing worlds,” setting high expectations for the game’s storytelling.

The Switch 2’s performance issues extend beyond Hitman: World of Assassination, with reports of overheating in docked mode and Joy-Con connectivity problems noted by TechRadar and NotebookCheck. However, the console’s backwards compatibility and support for GameCube classics via Nintendo Online Expansion have been praised, with titles like F-Zero GX achieving smoother frame rates. IO’s work on Hitman is expected to yield insights for 007: First Light, ensuring a more polished launch. For now, Switch 2 players can expect regular content updates for Hitman, including new Elusive Targets and Challenges, while awaiting the summer patch to address technical woes.