Hi-Fi Rush was one of last year’s biggest surprises, which is saying a lot in a year that saw Baldur’s Gate 3 and Alan Wake 2, among others, come out within months of each other. Shadow dropped earlier in the year, Hi-Fi Rush was seen as the perfect kind of exclusive that makes both the Xbox platform and Game Pass attractive – a non-committal AA title that’s fun to play and easy to recommend. Many thought that this was a good start for a platform desperately lacking exclusives, and for a while, it seemed to be the case.
Unfortunately, the earlier rumors about Xbox looking to shadow drop a game at an upcoming Xbox Direct event might be referring to the same game. The only difference is Xbox may shadow drop Hi-Fi Rush on other platforms this time.
The rumor began with a discussion on the Nate the Hate podcast, a source known for its accurate gaming news leaks. The hosts revealed that an acclaimed Xbox game would soon become available on a competing platform. Speculation quickly turned to Hi-Fi Rush, a game that garnered significant attention for its unique rhythm-based action gameplay and vibrant artistic style. This speculation was further fueled by comments from ResetEra user Lolilolailo, who has a track record of accurate Xbox-related leaks. Responding to a prediction about Hi-Fi Rush coming to the Nintendo Switch, Lolilolailo implied that this guess was correct.
Hi-Fi Rush, developed by Tango Gameworks and directed by John Johanas, was a standout title in 2023. Its release on the Xbox platform was met with positive reviews, noted for its engaging combat mechanics and immersive narrative. It features a protagonist, Chai, who became a memorable character, with his unique ability to perceive the world rhythmically after a music player becomes lodged in his chest.
Releasing an exclusive like Hi-Fi Rush on other platforms, specifically, the Nintendo Switch, has drawn mixed reactions. On one hand, many are applauding the growing collaboration between Xbox and Nintendo. In the past, the two video game companies have seen successful partnerships, with Ori and the Blind Forest and its sequel coming to the Switch. Moreover, Xbox has featured Nintendo-exclusive characters like Banjo and Kazooie in its games, indicating a mutual respect and business relationship between the two companies.
Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, has previously stated that Xbox won’t limit its player base, suggesting a more open-minded approach to sharing its games with a broader audience. This philosophy, however, doesn’t extend to bringing Game Pass to competing platforms, as Spencer affirmed Game Pass’s central role in Xbox’s identity. The move to bring Hi-Fi Rush to the Switch aligns with this strategy of sharing quality games more widely while keeping the Game Pass service exclusive to Xbox.
The release of Hi-Fi Rush on the Nintendo Switch, if confirmed, could be be the start of a more significant cross-platform collaboration between Xbox and Nintendo. It demonstrates a growing trend in the gaming industry where console exclusivity is becoming less rigid, allowing more players to experience a broader range of titles. For Nintendo Switch owners, the addition of Hi-Fi Rush to their gaming library would be a welcome expansion, providing access to one of the recent gems of the Xbox platform.
Furthermore, it would mark a significant step forward for the Xbox platform’s traditionally weak relationships with Japanese companies. After securing Final Fantasy 14 for Xbox from Square Enix last year, getting Nintendo to agree to take on one of its best games could open the doors for more collaborations between Xbox and other Japanese studios. Already, Xbox has started working with Kojima Productions on an exclusive and experimental title. It’s only a matter of time before Xbox finds a new studio willing to work with it on a new project that will eventually become associated with Xbox.
Unfortunately, this is purely speculation. We’ll have to wait until January 14, the rumored date for the next Xbox Direct, to find out which is real and which one isn’t.
