Ubisoft has confirmed that The Crew Motorfest will launch on Nintendo Switch 2 on October 8, 2026, bringing the racing series to a Nintendo platform for the first time. The announcement fills a gap that Switch 2 owners have been noticing since the console’s launch, since the platform has so far lacked a large scale open world racing title of this kind.
Originally released in September 2023 on PlayStation, Xbox and PC, Motorfest is the third entry in Ubisoft’s The Crew series, developed by Ubisoft Ivory Tower. The game is built around the Hawaiian island of O’ahu, and combines road racing, off road events, boat racing and plane challenges within a single connected map. Since its original release, the title has received a steady stream of seasonal content updates, meaning players picking it up for the first time on Switch 2 will find a game that has grown considerably since launch.
Availability and format
The Switch 2 version will be offered both digitally through the Nintendo eShop and physically through a Game Key Card. This format functions as a code packaged inside a physical case rather than a cartridge containing the full game, a distinction that matters for anyone expecting a traditional disc style release.
The always online requirement
Perhaps the most important detail for prospective buyers is that Motorfest requires a persistent internet connection to play, matching the requirement already in place on PC and other consoles. For a hybrid device where portable, offline play is often a central selling point, this creates a notable limitation for anyone hoping to play during travel or in areas without reliable connectivity.
Ubisoft has previously said it intends to build an offline mode for Motorfest, a commitment made after the original The Crew’s servers were shut down in 2024. However, no timeline has been confirmed for when that mode might arrive, and there is currently no indication it will be ready alongside the Switch 2 release.
What existing owners should know
Players who already own Motorfest on PS5 or Xbox may be wondering whether picking up the Switch 2 version makes sense. That decision largely depends on whether cross save support is included, and Ubisoft has not yet confirmed this for the new release.
For newcomers, the game offers a large amount of content, including hundreds of vehicles and multiple racing disciplines organized into themed playlists. Each playlist groups events around a specific theme, whether that is Japanese street culture or classic American muscle cars, giving the game a sense of structure that many open world racers lack. The O’ahu map itself remains one of the more distinctive settings in recent racing titles, thanks to its elevation changes, coastal routes and clearly defined districts.
With the release date now set, attention will likely turn to whether Ubisoft provides further clarity on offline play and cross save functionality before October arrives, since both factors are likely to influence how many existing owners decide to buy the game a second time.
