Ubisoft is digging into its vault of beloved shooters to give Nintendo Switch 2 owners a double dose of nostalgia. The publisher has officially confirmed that Far Cry 3: Classic Edition and Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon Classic Edition will make their way to the hybrid console in spring 2027. The announcement came during the September 9, 2026 Nintendo Direct broadcast, as reported by ComicBook, though specific release dates and pricing remain under wraps.
For those who missed the original craze, Far Cry 3 (2012) is widely considered a high point for the franchise, blending a sprawling tropical open world with a gripping story and one of gaming's most memorable villains, Vaas Montenegro. Its standalone expansion, Blood Dragon (2013), took a sharp left turn into neon-soaked, retro-futuristic territory, parodying '80s action movies with a synthwave soundtrack and a cybernetic hero voiced by Michael Biehn. Both titles have aged remarkably well, and their arrival on Switch 2 is a treat for longtime fans and newcomers alike.
The Switch 2 ports will be based on the enhanced versions that have already appeared on other modern platforms. Far Cry 3 Classic Edition originally launched in 2018 as a visual and performance upgrade of the 2012 original. Meanwhile, Blood Dragon Classic Edition debuted in 2021 as part of the Far Cry 6 Season Pass, giving the cult favorite a fresh coat of paint. Now, both are set to bring their unique flavors to Nintendo's latest hardware.
In Far Cry 3, players step into the shoes of Jason Brody, a tourist stranded on the fictional Rook Islands after a vacation gone horribly wrong. Captured by pirates, Jason must fight his way through a conflict between the island's ruthless criminal element and the native Rakyat tribe, all while rescuing his friends and finding a way off the island. The game's open-ended approach to combat and exploration set a new standard for the series, and its narrative twists still resonate today.
Blood Dragon, on the other hand, is a gloriously absurd love letter to the action films of the '80s. Set in a post-apocalyptic 2007, it follows Sergeant Rex "Power" Colt, a cybernetic super-soldier on a mission to investigate his former commander, Colonel Sloan. Along the way, he battles killer cyborgs, mutated scientists, and the titular Blood Dragons—giant reptiles that shoot lasers from their eyes. It's a wild ride that's equal parts parody and homage, and it remains one of the most unique entries in the Far Cry universe.
This announcement comes amid a period of significant change for Ubisoft, which has been restructuring its operations, including layoffs and game cancellations. Despite those challenges, the company is clearly committed to celebrating its legacy franchises, and bringing these two classics to Switch 2 is a smart move that taps into the console's growing library of ports and remasters.
For fans of the franchise, the wait is almost over—though spring 2027 still feels like a lifetime away. In the meantime, there's plenty to keep you busy, whether you're revisiting Nintendo's timeless classics or diving into other recent releases. And if you're in the mood for more action, check out our review of the bloody and brilliant Wolverine PS5 game.
As we count down to 2027, it's worth remembering why these games have endured. Far Cry 3 and Blood Dragon represent two sides of the franchise's personality: one grounded in gritty survival and moral ambiguity, the other in unapologetic, over-the-top fun. Both are essential experiences for any fan of open-world shooters, and their arrival on Switch 2 is sure to be a highlight of the year.
Stay tuned for more updates on pricing and exact release dates as they become available. For now, mark your calendars—spring 2027 is going to be a wild ride.
