Highlights

  • Nintendo Switch gets Xbox exclusives Pentiment and Grounded, offering new gaming options for players.
  • Rumors of Microsoft becoming a third-party developer were debunked, with new Xbox console set for big leap.
  • Obsidian's Pentiment and Grounded stand out in Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase, along with classic Rare titles.

In its Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase event, it was revealed that Pentiment and Grounded, two Xbox exclusive Obsidian Entertainment games, are making the leap to the Nintendo Switch. It has been a tumultuous couple of weeks for Phil Spencer and Team Xbox after speculation and concern swept over the community regarding rumors indicating that Microsoft was considering becoming a third party developer, similarly to what Sega did after the Dreamcast. The uproar eventually pushed Phil Spencer to respond and announce that not only were they listening to fan concerns, but a planned poidcast around the company's future would reveal more.

As it turns out, the rumors and speculation were just that, as the podcast event confirmed that the next Xbox console would be the "largest technical leap" the industry has seen. However, Microsoft leadership also revealed some surprising news that it had decided to take four Xbox exclusive games and bring them to other platforms. While a list leaked online, Microsoft wouldn't confirm any specifics as to which games were moving and where. It didn't take long for more official news to arrive, as Nintendo confirmed at least two former Xbox exclusives are finding a new home on the Nintendo Switch.

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During Nintendo's Partner Direct stream, two Xbox exclusives were featured. The first one launching was seen towards the end of the stream during the typical sizzle reel, where multiple games are shown off quickly. Towards the latter part of that segment was Obsidian's adventure role-playing title Pentiment about an artist named Andreas Maler living in 16th century Bavaria. Featuring an art style that resembles manuscript mixed with early print and woodcuts, players are soon pulled into a number of odd murder mysteries they'll need to unravel while also making choices that could impact their playthroughs.

When are the Xbox Exclusives Launching on the Nintendo Switch?

  • Pentiment - February 22, 2024
  • Grounded - April 16, 2024

The other big Xbox game to be shown off was Obsidian's other recent title, Grounded. A sandbox survival style game, Grounded takes inspiration from Honey, I Shrunk The Kids, having players explore a backyard as tiny kids trying to survive against fearsome bugs while gathering resources to craft all sorts of resources and bases. Grounded also gained plenty of attention prior to launch due to its menacing looking spiders and an "Arachnaphobia" accessibility option that removes various parts of the spider based on how high the meter is adjusted, making them not only less detailed but eventually turning them into just a blob shape entirely.

While many likely assumed Tango Gameworks' Hi-Fi Rush to be shown off during the show, both Grounded and Pentiment were not the only Microsoft-owned properties to be featured. Nintendo Switch Online subscribers now have access to some classic Rare titles starting today. Five classic games ranging from the NES to N64 are now available, including Blast Corps, Battletoads in Battlemaniacs, R.C. Pro Am, Snake Rattle 'n' Roll, and the SNES version of Killer Instinct.