Bethesda's Starfield might not have had the warmest reception on release, but that hasn't stopped it from amassing a considerable number of dedicated fans in the past few years. Following the mixed reception to Starfield and mostly negative reviews for its first expansion with Shattered Space, Starfield could greatly benefit from an additional spike in new players before announcing its next major update. While Starfield had everything it needed for a big push back into the spotlight, it completely missed its greatest potential for an announcement window.

With more and more rumors spreading that Starfield will be coming to the PlayStation 5 at some point in the near future, it could be just what Bethesda needs to give the ambitious game a second chance at life. The influx of players from a new port would have provided a greater amount of resources for Starfield's future updates, helping the game become closer aligned with its original goals. While there's still plenty of hope for a PlayStation reveal eventually, Starfield already missed out on its best chance for a multi-platform reveal.

Starfield Would Have Been Perfect For The Switch 2 Direct

A Missed Opportunity That Had Everything It Needed For Success

With how closely Skyrim's inclusion was tied to the release of the original Nintendo Switch, it was a massive shock that Starfield didn't follow suit with its own portable gameplay reveal. Even if I have been tired of seeing Skyrim remasters and ports over the years, taking the legendary role-playing game on the go was a revolutionary idea that perfectly complimented the new gameplay opportunities provided by the Switch. Given that Bethesda already had close enough ties with Nintendo to include their game so prevalently throughout the reveal trailer for the Nintendo Switch, Starfield's complete absence felt even stranger.

Taking the legendary role-playing game on the go was a revolutionary idea that perfectly complimented the new gameplay opportunities provided by the Switch.

Making Starfield's failure to appear in the Switch 2 Direct even more surprising were the claims months before the event that Starfield and Fallout 4 would eventually be coming to the Switch 2, as reported by Insider Gaming. While there wasn't much definitive proof behind these claims, Microsoft has been more open with its exclusive games than it has in the past, making it easy to be disappointed over the lack of any news after the Direct.

Although games like Elden Ring, Cyberpunk 2077, and Hogwarts Legacy were massively impressive ways to showcase the power of the Switch 2, adding in an expansive space exploration game like Starfield would have sealed the deal for the Switch 2's performance comparisons. Combined with Starfield's toned-down gore prior to its release, it feels like it would have been a more fitting addition to help Nintendo sell the Switch 2's new hardware compatibility, especially given its significantly higher price tag.

The Switch 2 Direct Could Build More Starfield Multi-Platform Hype

Ramping Up Anticipation For A New Year Of Starfield Content

Even if Bethesda's announcement of Starfield being ported to the Switch 2 would have been an excellent way to parallel Skyrim's addition to its predecessor years prior, there's more than one potential reason for the delay. Given that PlayStation is even more heavily rumored to be getting a Starfield port, it would be much harder to incorporate the multi-platform Starfield reveal into the Nintendo Direct with so many parties involved.

There's still a chance for Starfield to come to both the Switch 2 and the PlayStation 5 in the future, but it seems more likely that Bethesda will choose to reveal the news on its own , rather than leaving it up to another company. With how packed the Switch 2 Direct was from start to finish, it's possible that Starfield wouldn't have had enough time to make a significant impact on the reveal to stand out. Given Bethesda's silence following Nintendo Direct, the best chance for a multi-platform reveal might just be the Xbox Games showcase hosted during the summer.

Starfield Still Might Not Come To Nintendo Switch 2 At All

A Heavy Blow To Starfield's Replayability

While there are several reasons to hope for Starfield's multi-platform reveal to include the Switch 2 thanks to Nintendo's history and the console's new hardware, there's been no confirmation on whether it will actually come to fruition or not. With Starfield having missed its chance for an explosive reveal from the Switch 2 Direct, it could be a long time before Starfield has the chance of making it to the new console. Even with technological challenges aside, introducing more ambitious games like Starfield could be a strong start to repairing the public relations crisis surrounding Nintendo's Switch 2 reveal.

It could still be a long time before Starfield ever has the chance of making it to the new console.

Given Skyrim's sheer number of ports and systems to experience the classic adventure game on over the years, it's re-releases had a significant helping hand in keeping it relevant over a decade since its launch. Starfield could have easily benefitted from the same strengths as Skyrim's Switch reveal, with Starfield​​​​​​'s flaws being easier to ignore when combined with the strengths of portability. Regardless of its current perception, Starfield is still well-deserving of a second chance at life, even if it's only to give Bethesda more incentive to shape the game closer to its potential through updates and future DLC expansions.

Source: Insider Gaming