What happened
Nintendo's August 26 notice confirms a free Switch 2 open beta window beginning August 28 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
The beta precedes the announced October 23 Nintendo Switch 2 launch.
The practical change: Use the beta to test controls and network behaviour, not to grind levels that the official page says will reset.
What is confirmed
- The beta ends September 1 at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.
- Included content named by Nintendo covers multiplayer modes, a playable campaign mission and Ground War.
- Signing in with an Activision account keeps eligible cosmetic beta rewards tied to the Activision ID.
- The level-30 reward is an ISO Nightshade weapon blueprint.
- Player level, weapon unlocks and other beta progression do not transfer to the released game.
What this means for players
The beta is most useful for checking controls, visual readability and connection quality on Switch 2.
Cosmetic rewards can carry when tied to an Activision ID, while functional progression resets.
What is still unconfirmed
A beta build cannot prove final performance, balance, map availability or launch-day server quality.
What to do next
- 01Pre-load the free beta from the Nintendo eShop.
- 02Sign in with the Activision ID you expect to use at launch if you want eligible cosmetic rewards.
- 03Stop grinding once the test has answered your control and network questions; levels will reset.
