Konami has given players a longer look at Darwin’s Paradox, the whimsical-yet-dystopian octopus platformer from French developer ZDT Studio, revealing new gameplay footage and a developer deep dive and confirming a 2026 release window for next‑generation platforms — notably including Nintendo’s Switch 2.
From sea to factory: the story so far
Players control Darwin, a clever young octopus ripped from his ocean home and dumped inside a sprawling, industrial complex. The game pairs platforming and stealth puzzle design with a narrative that pits this small protagonist against a looming corporate force — various reports name a villainous conglomerate (sometimes described as "UFOOD INC") and describe polluted landfills, mechanical food factories, strange holding tanks and hostile creatures as the game’s backdrop.
Konami and ZDT frame Darwin’s journey as part rescue mission, part mystery: outsmart traps, adapt with new abilities and uncover a conspiracy that grows more ominous as the game progresses.
What the new footage shows
The freshly released gameplay trailer highlights the game’s blend of cunning stealth and expressive movement. Key mechanics shown include:
- Camouflage and stealth to slip past surveillance and enemies
- Fluid platforming across layered 2.5D environments
- Playful, unconventional powers — inflating like a balloon to float, a "twang" movement to cross wide gaps, and other cephalopod-inspired tricks
- Reactive, living levels populated by mechanical hazards, rats and machine-driven antagonists
- Official word from Konami clarifying the status of the Nintendo Switch (v1) version and precise release dates
- More in‑depth looks at level design, length and difficulty balance, and whether the game’s environmental themes are handled with nuance
- Platform performance comparisons once hands‑on previews or reviews arrive in 2026
Many outlets noted aesthetic and tonal echoes of Playdead’s Inside — the sense of creeping dread and a muted dystopia — though Darwin’s Paradox appears to balance those chills with moments of charm and invention.
Platforms, timing and the Switch 1 question
Konami lists Darwin’s Paradox for release in 2026 on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC (Steam). Earlier promotion for the title included an original Nintendo Switch icon, but the newest trailer replaces that with a Switch 2 badge and a 2026 window — a shift that outlets and fans have read as a move away from the original Switch.
That change has prompted two practical takeaways: Konami has delayed the game to 2026 to target next‑generation hardware and optimize visuals and performance, and the originally announced Switch (v1) version may no longer be supported. Konami has not published a formal cancellation statement for the original Switch, leaving some uncertainty for owners of the older hardware.
Developer perspective
Alongside gameplay, Konami released a deep dive with ZDT Studio’s Artistic Director Mikael Tanguy and Creative Director Gilles Aujard. They discussed the team’s inspirations, the decision to lean into cephalopod biology for movement and problem solving, and the narrative aim to blend environmental commentary with a cinematic, animated‑movie tone. The studio framed the game as a “cerebral” platformer that rewards experimentation and curiosity.
Reactions and implications
Reaction has been broadly positive: previewers praise the visual design, inventive movement options and the way the game balances darker themes with approachable mechanics. The Switch 2 focus drew particular attention — some players welcomed the likelihood of improved specs and performance on newer hardware, while others expressed disappointment at the apparent loss of a Switch 1 version.
For Konami, Darwin’s Paradox represents another original IP push and a collaboration with a smaller studio, a sign of the publisher investing in imaginative, non‑franchise projects alongside its larger catalog.
What to watch next
Darwin’s Paradox now sits on many wishlists as a hopeful 2026 release: a small protagonist, big mechanical foes and a kit of creative powers may help it stand out among next‑generation platformers — provided the platform reshuffle doesn’t leave too many players behind.