Fans of the outrageous and the undead are in for a treat this spring, as Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP—a remaster of the 2012 cult-classic—makes its way to the Nintendo Switch 2 on March 26, 2026. For those keeping score, this isn’t the game’s first rodeo on a Nintendo platform, but it does mark the debut of a souped-up version specifically for Nintendo’s latest hardware. According to ComicBook.com, the remaster had already landed on the original Switch, PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X in 2024, but the Switch 2 edition promises to raise the stakes with enhanced graphics and performance.
What’s new this time around? Publisher Dragami Games is promising "numerous graphical enhancements" and a "significantly improved" frame rate—improvements that weren’t possible on the original Switch version. While the specifics of these enhancements remain under wraps, expectations are high, especially among the game’s dedicated fanbase. As The Game Business reports, digital copies will be available via the Nintendo eShop, and—good news for collectors—physical editions are also on the way, though the extent of the physical release is still a mystery.
Lollipop Chainsaw has always been a bit of an oddball in the video game world. Developed by Grasshopper Manufacture, the original game was created by the imaginative Goichi Suda (better known as Suda51) in collaboration with filmmaker James Gunn, who later took inspiration from the game for his work on the 2021 film The Suicide Squad. The game’s premise is as wild as it sounds: players take control of Juliet Starling, a cheerleader turned zombie hunter, as she battles undead hordes through the halls of San Romero High School—a setting that’s equal parts absurd and endearing.
Despite its quirky charm, the original Lollipop Chainsaw received a mixed critical reception, earning a 70 on Metacritic. The 2024 remaster, Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP, scored just a hair lower with a 68. Yet, as ComicBook.com points out, the game has managed to amass a "hardcore, passionate fanbase," selling well over one million copies across platforms. It’s a testament to the enduring appeal of Grasshopper’s unique blend of over-the-top action and tongue-in-cheek humor.
For Nintendo, the arrival of Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP on the Switch 2 isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s part of a larger strategy to diversify the console’s library. As The Game Business notes, the Switch 2 has been making moves to expand its mature gaming catalog, aiming to offer more than just family-friendly staples like Mario Kart World and Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The addition of titles like Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP is expected to appeal to older gamers and collectors, especially as physical editions become increasingly sought after in the digital age.
Still, the Switch 2’s journey hasn’t been entirely smooth. Launched in June 2025 as the fastest-selling Nintendo system ever, the console hit a speed bump during its first holiday season. According to The Game Business, US unit sales dropped by 35% compared to the original Switch’s 2017 performance. France saw a decline of over 30%, Japan dipped by 5.5%, and the UK experienced a 16% decrease during the crucial eight-week holiday window. Nintendo, for its part, chalked up the slowdown to a "complicated economic landscape" and the "absence of a major Western game," as relayed by senior company employees. Higher hardware and software prices reportedly also played a role, making it harder to win over casual gamers.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Despite the holiday slump, the Switch 2’s first-year sales are still 6% higher overall than its predecessor, thanks in part to strong early momentum and features like backward compatibility. This allows gamers to access discounted eShop titles, such as the Figment bundle, which is currently available for just $2.33 through January 24, 2026. These kinds of deals are a boon for budget-conscious players and help keep the console’s ecosystem vibrant even as new releases slow down.
Back to Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP: its release is one of several third-party efforts to bolster the Switch 2’s lineup in 2026. As Dragami Games positions the title among a slate of enhanced remasters and backward-compatible discounts, the company is betting that a mix of nostalgia and technical upgrades will draw in both returning fans and curious newcomers. The game’s offbeat narrative—cheerleader Juliet Starling’s fight against zombie hordes, chainsaw in hand—remains as delightfully bizarre as ever. For those who missed out on the 2012 original (which, notably, never appeared on a Nintendo platform), this is a chance to experience a slice of gaming history with a modern polish.
Industry analysts are watching closely to see how the Switch 2’s performance in 2026 will influence Nintendo’s software strategy. The company’s willingness to embrace more mature and niche titles could pave the way for additional remasters, such as the rumored Fallout 3 and New Vegas remakes reportedly headed for Xbox. For now, though, Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP is front and center, representing both a nod to the past and a step toward a broader, more varied Switch 2 library.
Of course, there’s always the question of audience. As ComicBook.com notes, the original Lollipop Chainsaw never appeared on Nintendo platforms, so it’s unclear how large the market will be for this particular remaster. Yet, the game’s strong sales on the original Switch suggest there’s enough demand to justify a new version—especially one boasting improved visuals and performance. Whether longtime fans will double-dip or new players will be drawn in by the game’s cult reputation remains to be seen.
As the March 26 release date approaches, anticipation is building among fans and industry watchers alike. Will Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP help the Switch 2 regain sales momentum and expand its audience? Or will it remain a beloved oddity, cherished by a dedicated few? One thing’s for sure: Juliet Starling’s chainsaw is revving up for another wild ride through the halls of San Romero High School, and Nintendo’s latest console will be all the more colorful for it.
With its blend of nostalgia, innovation, and a dash of the absurd, Lollipop Chainsaw RePOP stands as a vivid example of how video games can surprise and delight—even more than a decade after their original debut.
