After a four-year voyage since its initial release, Outer Wilds is charting a new trajectory towards the Nintendo Switch, bringing along its expansion, Echoes of the Eye. The bundled package, dubbed Outer Wilds: Archaeologist Edition, will grace the digital realm on December 7, with tangible copies set to land in collectors' hands in early 2024.

Nintendo Switch enthusiasts were treated to a sneak peek at how Outer Wilds performs on the platform, and although the visuals seem to have taken a step back in fidelity, it's undetermined if this is a limitation of the streamed reveal or simply an early build. Thankfully, the gameplay footage didn't show any signs of framerate issues, promising a potentially seamless stellar journey for Switch gamers when December arrives. The physical edition doesn't have a precise release date yet, but it's slated for a launch in the coming year—a notable event since Outer Wilds seldom makes its way into physical form.

Upon its initial launch in 2019 on platforms like PC, Xbox One, and PS4, Outer Wilds became entangled in a naming mix-up with The Outer Worlds but still succeeded in cultivating a devoted following. The game's innovative approach to storytelling, featuring a time loop mechanism that became trendy among games thereafter, struck a chord with players.

The game earned significant recognition within the gaming community, achieving a trio of nominations at The Game Awards and claiming six nominations at the 2019 Golden Joystick Awards. Notably, it was also a contender for the highly-coveted Ultimate Game of the Year award.

Outer Wilds has sustained its popularity as it expanded across platforms and services, including a next-gen enhancement in 2022. This update spruced up the game with 4K resolution and 60FPS on supported consoles, enhancing the visual detail of its cosmic environments—a crucial element in a game where every visual cue can unravel the mysteries of the universe.

Despite its traversing of various platforms and the release of its DLC, the title has not previously been available on Nintendo's versatile console. The reasons for bypassing the Switch initially remain a mystery, especially considering that its control scheme should feel right at home on the device. Nevertheless, the impending digital release will bring this space-faring adventure to a new audience eager to explore the cosmos on the go, with the option for a tangible cartridge still on the horizon for collectors who are patient enough to wait for its manifestation.