October is traditionally one of the busiest months in the gaming calendar. While November 2026 is set to bring Grand Theft Auto 6 and the major Switch 2 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the month before it still offers plenty for Nintendo’s latest console.
Switch 2 continues to receive major ports, enhanced editions of existing Switch games and new releases from Nintendo, Square Enix and other leading publishers. From clever block puzzles and survival horror to family-friendly sports and a long-awaited military shooter, these are six October games worth keeping on your radar. For more industry coverage, visit the RETROCADE arcade blog.
1. Order of the Sinking Star
Release date: 8 October 2026
Created by Jonathan Blow, the designer behind Braid and The Witness, Order of the Sinking Star is an indie puzzle game built around Sokoban-style block pushing. Questions have been raised about authorship and credit because the project draws on several earlier block-pushing puzzle games, while Blow’s conduct has also attracted criticism.
Even so, the game’s puzzle design is expected to provide a deep supply of demanding challenges. Players looking for precise, cerebral gameplay may find it the month’s most absorbing release.
2. Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen
Release date: 9 October 2026
Capcom continues its strong support for Switch 2 with a version of its unusual action RPG, Dragon’s Dogma 2. The game combines spectacular combat with deliberately awkward systems and moments of friction that can divide players, but those same qualities help produce unpredictable adventures.
The Switch 2 release includes the new Dark Arisen update and expansion from launch. It is a sizeable addition for anyone considering a demanding fantasy adventure on Nintendo’s console. If you enjoy arcade-style action, browse RETROCADE’s arcade machines for another way to play fast-paced games at home.
3. Resident Evil 2, 3 and 4
Release date: 16 October 2026
One week after Dragon’s Dogma 2, Capcom brings three acclaimed survival-horror remakes to Switch 2. Resident Evil 3 is generally regarded as the least impressive of the group, although it remains a worthwhile game.
Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 4 are the standouts. Rather than simply polishing their predecessors, both reimagine classic horror adventures as modern productions. They are strong starting points for players preparing for next year’s Resident Evil Code: Veronica.
For fans of light-gun history and arcade shooting, RETROCADE also covers arcade light guns and retro shooter hardware.
4. Nintendo Switch Sports Resort
Release date: 22 October 2026
Nintendo’s major exclusive for the month is Nintendo Switch Sports Resort, a return to motion-controlled sporting activities. Following the model of 2009’s Wii Sports Resort, the game moves the action to a bright holiday island.
The activities include jet skiing, skateboarding, table tennis and the unexpectedly unusual addition of thumb wrestling. Its accessible format makes it a natural choice for multiplayer sessions with family and friends.
5. Final Fantasy Resonance
Release date: 22 October 2026
Square Enix brings its first Final Fantasy title in the HD-2D style to Switch 2, but Final Fantasy Resonance is neither a remake of one of the classic 2D entries nor a completely new adventure.
Instead, it is a ground-up adaptation of the mobile game Final Fantasy Brave Exvius, focusing on its first story arc. Its defining feature is a roster of familiar characters who can be recruited and used as summons, including Final Fantasy VII hero Cloud Strife.
6. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4
Release date: 23 October 2026
Campaign early access: 16 October 2026
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 marks the series’ return to Nintendo hardware for the first time since the early Wii U era. It launches on Nintendo’s platform alongside the PlayStation, Xbox and PC versions.
The release follows Microsoft’s commitment to bring the franchise to Nintendo after its Activision acquisition, a condition associated with regulatory approval. With last year’s Black Ops 7 receiving a disappointing response, expectations are high that Infinity Ward can deliver a stronger entry.
October’s Switch 2 shortlist
The month covers a broad range of tastes: thoughtful indie puzzles, fantasy role-playing, modern survival horror, motion-controlled family play, HD-2D RPG design and blockbuster shooting. That variety makes October 2026 one of the more substantial early windows for Switch 2 owners.
Players planning a dedicated home gaming setup can also compare RETROCADE’s arcade machine buying guide before choosing a cabinet to complement their console.
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