How Bloober Team Landed a Switch 2 Horror Exclusive

Ever wonder how a horror game ends up exclusive on a Nintendo console? Bloober Team just pulled it off with Onyx: The Dark Grip, and it's kind of a big deal.

Broken Mirror Games, Bloober's publishing arm, is barely a year old, but it's already managed the once unthinkable: Onyx: The Dark Grip is set to be one of the first Nintendo-exclusive horror games in over a decade. That's right—the Switch 2 is proving it's not just for family fun anymore.

So how did they convince Nintendo? According to Broken Mirror executive director Tymon Smektała, it's all about trust. "Nintendo doesn't work with just anyone," he says. "Generally, Japanese companies are companies that you have to build trust with, and you have to prove that you are worthy of that trust." And Bloober did just that.

The studio's reputation got a massive boost with Silent Hill 2 Remake, which was praised for being both faithful and modern. That success showed Konami—and the world—that Bloober was the real deal. But it wasn't just about one game. CEO Piotr Babieno says the company's philosophy is more "Japanese approach than Western approach," focusing on long-term stability and building a trustworthy image rather than chasing quick wins.

That mindset paid off. Onyx: The Dark Grip is a 2.5D psych-horror built entirely for the Switch 2's handheld mode, casting you as both a God and the person possessed by it. Babieno, a self-proclaimed Nintendo fan, says making this game is a dream come true. But it's also a strategic move—Nintendo's relationship with horror has been complicated due to strict ratings in Japan and its family-friendly image. The last true third-party Nintendo-exclusive horror game was 2014's Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water on Wii U.

Getting Onyx onto Switch 2 is monumental, and it's a testament to Bloober's newfound credibility. Smektała adds that the game will "put horror literally back into players' hands," breaking the fourth wall in ways only new hardware allows. And with other Broken Mirror titles like Saw: Genesis exploring social horror, it's clear the studio is aiming to push boundaries.

So, will you be picking up Onyx: The Dark Grip when it launches? What do you think about horror on Nintendo? Let us know in the comments!