Gran Turismo 7 Reportedly Running on Switch 2 – But Don’t Expect a Release

Sony’s Gran Turismo 7 is reportedly running on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, according to information revealed by games journalist Jeff Grubb. However, the test appears to be an internal technical exercise rather than a signal of a potential port.

Grubb disclosed the information during a recent appearance on the Games Mess Decides podcast, stating, “I heard recently that Gran Turismo was running on the Switch 2. I don’t think it’s going to come to the Switch 2, but I heard it was running on it.” This suggests that Sony’s Polyphony Digital, the studio behind the Gran Turismo franchise, has been utilizing the Switch 2’s development kits for internal testing purposes.

The motivation behind this testing isn’t to bring the PlayStation exclusive to Nintendo’s platform. Instead, industry observers believe it’s a benchmarking exercise. As Mike Minotti, co-host of the Games Mess Decides podcast, explained, “If you want to see what your own future handheld needs to target, you run your most scalable engine on the competition’s new specs.” Gran Turismo 7, known for its demanding graphics and complex physics engine, serves as a challenging benchmark for evaluating the capabilities of new hardware.

This approach allows Sony to assess how its proprietary technology scales down to less powerful hardware. Gran Turismo 7 is already designed to function across a range of PlayStation hardware, from the PlayStation 4 to the PlayStation 5, making it a suitable candidate for this type of comparative analysis. By running the game on the Switch 2, Polyphony Digital can gain insights into the performance characteristics of the new Nintendo console and inform the development of future PlayStation hardware, potentially including a rumored handheld device.

The timing of this internal testing coincides with reports that Sony is actively exploring the handheld gaming market. Last year, the company began recruiting for a new senior director of multiplatform and account management, a move interpreted by some as a signal of intent to expand beyond the PlayStation ecosystem. Testing Gran Turismo 7 on the Switch 2 could be part of this broader research and development effort.

However, significant hurdles remain if a port were ever considered. The Nintendo Switch 2’s Joy-Con controllers, as noted by Nintendo Life, lack analogue triggers, a key component of the Gran Turismo experience. The system’s steering wheel support is not considered “robust” enough to fully replicate the immersive driving experience offered by the game on PlayStation platforms. These limitations suggest that even if a port were technically feasible, it would likely require substantial compromises.

Gran Turismo 7 continues to receive updates and support on PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5. In January 2026, update 1.67 added three new cars, a new Extra Menu item, and various new events. This followed the release of the Spec III update and Power Pack DLC in December 2025, which introduced eight new cars, a revamped Circuit Experience, and new tracks like Yas Marina and Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve. The Power Pack DLC, priced at $29.99, included 50 races across 20 categories and a bonus of 5,000,000 in-game credits.

The game also features a free demo, “My First GT,” released in December 2024, offering players the opportunity to earn bonuses within the full game. These ongoing updates demonstrate Polyphony Digital’s continued commitment to the Gran Turismo 7 experience on PlayStation consoles.

While the prospect of Gran Turismo 7 appearing on the Nintendo Switch 2 remains unlikely, the internal testing conducted by Sony provides a valuable glimpse into the company’s strategic thinking and its ongoing efforts to evaluate the capabilities of competing hardware. The exercise underscores the importance of benchmarking and research and development in the highly competitive gaming industry.