According to IGN, the upcoming retro first-person shooter Starship Troopers: Ultimate Bug War! has been officially announced for an early 2026 release. The game will be available on Steam, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and notably, the still-unannounced Nintendo Switch 2. Players will take on the role of a Mobile Infantry trooper with access to over 30 iconic weapons and items, including the trusty Morita rifle. The game is described as an “authentic retro FPS experience” and will feature a story starring General Johnny Rico himself, promising a “sharply loyal” narrative set in the classic satirical universe.
The Retro Shooter Bug Is Back
So, here’s the thing. The announcement of a new Starship Troopers game isn’t a huge shock—the franchise has seen plenty of games over the years. But calling this one a “retro FPS” is a very specific and interesting choice. It’s not trying to be a modern, cinematic military shooter. It’s aiming for that fast-paced, weapon-stacked, key-card hunting feel of the 90s. Basically, they’re betting that the success of games like Ultimate Doom and DUSK has paved the way for a satirical, bug-blasting romp. And honestly? That might be the perfect fit for the over-the-top, propaganda-fueled world of Starship Troopers. Would a gritty, realistic take even make sense?
The Nintendo Switch 2 Confirmation
Now, let’s talk about the real news hiding in plain sight. The trailer lists a “Nintendo Switch 2” release. IGN just casually dropped what is arguably the biggest confirmation yet of Nintendo’s next console’s name and its existence for a 2026 timeframe. This is huge. While rumors have been swirling forever, a major publisher putting the “Switch 2” name in an official announcement trailer is about as concrete as it gets before Nintendo themselves say something. It tells us developers are targeting it, and its release window is solid enough for a third-party to stake a 2026 launch on it. That’s arguably more significant than the game itself.
Can It Live Up to the Satire?
But the big question is this: can a retro shooter actually capture what makes Starship Troopers great? The movie’s genius is its layers of satire wrapped in a B-movie shell. A straight-up action game misses the point. The promise of a “sharply loyal story” with Johnny Rico gives me a sliver of hope. If the writing and mission briefings lean into the fascist, jingoistic parody, this could be fantastic. If it’s just “shoot bugs in corridors,” it’ll be a forgettable nostalgia cash-in. The arsenal sounds fun, but the tone is everything. Would you like to know more? We’ll have to wait until early 2026 to find out if this game is doing its part.
