Nioh 3 could hit Xbox, Switch 2 after exclusivity ends in August
Team Ninja's PlayStation-exclusive series might break tradition with its third entry. Fine print on an official trailer suggests the six-month PS5 exclusivity ends in August 2026, potentially bringing the action-RPG to Xbox and Nintendo Switch 2.
Nioh 3 could appear on Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2 as early as August 2026, according to small print spotted on an official PlayStation trailer. The text reveals the game's PS5 console exclusivity lasts only six months after its February 6 launch date, potentially opening the door for the series' first multi-platform release.
Breaking a PlayStation-only tradition
The Nioh series has remained exclusive to PlayStation and PC since the original launched in 2017, never appearing on Xbox or Nintendo platforms. However, a features trailer released on PlayStation's official YouTube channel includes fine print stating the game is "not available on other consoles until at least 6 months after February 6, 2026."
As reported by VGC, citing small print on an official PlayStation trailer, this suggests Nioh 3 could launch on additional platforms from August 2026 onwards. While not confirmation of specific console versions, the wording indicates Team Ninja and Koei Tecmo may be considering a broader platform strategy for the series' third instalment.
Team Ninja's previous stance on Xbox
This potential shift represents a notable change from Team Ninja's previous position. In a 2022 interview with VGC, Nioh director Fumihiko Yasuda was asked about bringing the series to Xbox platforms.
"There's nothing really to note about that. Currently, there's not really too much of a possibility of having Nioh on Xbox platforms, but we do hope Xbox fans enjoy Wo Long and look forward to that game coming out," Yasuda said at the time.
While Team Ninja regularly releases games across multiple platforms, the Nioh series has remained firmly PlayStation-exclusive, making this potential expansion significant for the developer's strategy.
What platforms could see Nioh 3
Though the trailer's fine print doesn't specify which consoles might receive Nioh 3 post-exclusivity, the most likely candidates are Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo's next console is expected to launch in 2025, potentially making it available for February 2026's biggest games.
The six-month window would allow PlayStation to capitalise on early sales while giving developers time to optimise versions for other platforms. This approach mirrors strategies used by other publishers for timed exclusives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Nioh 3 be on Xbox?
Nioh 3's PlayStation exclusivity ends in August 2026, making an Xbox Series X/S release possible from then onwards, though not confirmed.
When does Nioh 3 release?
Nioh 3 launches February 6, 2026 on PlayStation 5 and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.
Is Nioh 3 coming to Nintendo Switch 2?
The game's exclusivity window suggests Switch 2 is a possibility from August 2026, but no official announcement has been made.
Has Nioh ever been on Xbox before?
No, the entire Nioh series has remained exclusive to PlayStation and PC platforms since the original's 2017 launch.
What's different about Nioh 3's exclusivity?
Previous Nioh games had permanent PlayStation exclusivity, while Nioh 3 appears to have a timed six-month exclusivity period.
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