Bloober Team Unveils Handheld-Only Horror 'Onyx: The Dark Grip' for Switch 2
The psychological horror title eschews TV output to leverage the console's touch and motion controls for a claustrophobic experience.
Bloober Team has unveiled Onyx: The Dark Grip, a new psychological horror title designed exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2. The game is notable for a restrictive hardware requirement: it can only be played in handheld mode and is entirely incompatible with TV output.
Announced during a recent Nintendo Direct, the title is a 2.5D experience that focuses on intimacy and claustrophobia. According to a trailer shared via GameSpot, players will use the Switch 2's touch screen and motion controls to "manipulate reality" as a core gameplay mechanic. The developer, Bloober Team—already recognized for its work on the Silent Hill 2 remake and Cronos: The New Dawn—has scheduled the game for a 2027 launch.
The Road to Onyx
The project did not emerge in a vacuum; it was previously known internally as "Project M." Industry observers had first caught wind of the title earlier this year when Bloober Team registered a trademark that hinted at the game's eventual reveal. The transition from a secretive internal project to a public announcement marks a strategic move by the studio to establish a strong presence on Nintendo's next-generation hardware.
A Rare Design Constraint
The decision to forbid TV output is a rare design choice in the modern console era, where versatility is typically the primary selling point. By restricting the experience to the handheld screen, Bloober Team is intentionally limiting the player's field of view and physical distance from the action. This constraint suggests that the game's horror elements are inextricably linked to the specific hardware features of the Switch 2, utilizing the tactile nature of the touch screen and the physical movement of the device to create a sense of dread that would be lost on a stationary television.
Looking Ahead
As the industry awaits the official rollout of the Switch 2, Onyx: The Dark Grip serves as a primary example of how developers may utilize the new hardware's unique capabilities to create genre-specific experiences. While the 2027 release date leaves a significant window before launch, the gaming community will be watching to see if other developers follow Bloober Team's lead in creating "handheld-first" exclusives that prioritize intimacy over scale.