Full Breakdown
Order of the Sinking Star to Launch on Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026
5/15/2026, 12:22:29 PM
Core Announcement
Jonathan Blow, creator of *Braid* and *The Witness*, announced that his new puzzle title *Order of the Sinking Star* will release on Nintendo Switch 2 and PC later in 2026. The game, first shown at The Game Awards 2025, will be published by Arc Games, the company’s first Switch 2 title.
Background & Development
Thekla, Inc. is building the game with the proprietary language Jai, which Blow says “makes programming a lot more fun” and speeds iteration. The design centers on four interlocking worlds that merge into a “living puzzle” environment.
Key Figures & Organizations
- Jonathan Blow – Designer, founder of Thekla.
- Arc Games – Publisher; CEO Yoon Im leads the Switch 2 effort.
- Nintendo – Manufacturer of the Switch 2 console.
Timeline
- Dec 2025 – Game announced at The Game Awards (PC focus).
- May 2026 – Arc Games confirms Switch 2 launch; Blow reiterates a 2026 window.
- Late 2026 – Planned simultaneous release on Switch 2 and PC (date not set).
Data & Design Highlights
*Order of the Sinking Star* features over 1,000 puzzles across four worlds, with playable characters such as a queen, thief, warrior, wizard, and a talking boat. Some levels received more than 12 revisions; roughly 50-66 % of designed puzzles were cut. Blow distinguishes “good difficulty” (puzzles that focus on core ideas) from “bad difficulty” (unnecessary complexity).
Why It Matters
The Switch 2’s portability matches Blow’s intent for short bursts or deep sessions, potentially expanding the puzzle genre’s audience and demonstrating Jai’s commercial viability.
Official Statements & Responses
Blow emphasized the console’s portability as a natural fit for modular puzzles, noting flexibility for both brief and extended play. Arc Games CEO Yoon Im expressed enthusiasm for delivering a studio title to the new hardware, calling the partnership a milestone.
Criticism & Opposition
Sources label Blow a “controversial developer” and reference “disappointing *Braid* sales,” suggesting some observers doubt the game’s performance on Switch 2.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
All sources agree on a 2026 launch but provide no specific release date or quarter. Performance metrics for the Switch 2 version remain undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Switch 2's portability is really nice here; you can just pick it up and play it in short bursts or really dive in for a long time.” — Jonathan Blow, Game Designer
- “This marks publisher Arc Games' first release on the Switch 2, with CEO Yoon Im that the company has been "looking forward to the chance to bring one of our games to the platform.” — Yoon Im, CEO, Arc Games
- “Jonathan: It made programming a lot more fun.” — Jonathan Blow, Founder, Thekla, Inc.
- “Jonathan: We have cut somewhere between half and 2/3 of the puzzles we designed for this game.” — Jonathan Blow
- “If a level has a cool idea, when there is “good difficulty” you are thinking hard about things that are directly relevant to the idea.” — Jonathan Blow
What’s Next
Arc Games and Thekla plan to announce a precise launch window and performance data as development progresses toward the late-2026 release.
