Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition interview – Aspyr on bringing back the classic RPG, Nintendo Switch 2, more

Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition will be launching on Nintendo Switch very soon, but ahead of the release, we caught up with Aspyr to talk about the return of the classic game. Producer manager Jordon Reese fielded a few questions from us.

Neverwinter Nights 2 is Obsidian Entertainment’s classic game that first launched in 2006. Now the RPG is making a comeback, and with some new features to boot.

Our full Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition interview is available below.

What motivated the team to remaster Neverwinter Nights 2, especially given the challenges of updating a complex CRPG engine from the mid-2000s?

Our team has a deep-rooted passion for Neverwinter Nights 2 and for classic, complex CRPGs in general. When choosing projects to enhance, we focus on a few key criteria: internal enthusiasm and the opportunity to deliver a truly exceptional player experience. With Neverwinter Nights 2, there was a strong alignment across the board—it’s a game we genuinely love and one that holds a special place in the hearts of many players. We saw a clear opportunity to reintroduce it to both longtime fans and a new generation in a way that respects its legacy while elevating the experience for modern platforms. It’s about honoring the past while giving it the polish it deserves.

How did the team approach modernizing the user interface and control scheme while maintaining the spirit of the original design? Were controls a big focal point for modern players as a result?

From the beginning, adding controller support was a core part of our approach. We focused on making the game more accessible and responsive for gamepad users without compromising the original experience. Since Neverwinter Nights 2 has such a dedicated PC fanbase, we made sure to preserve the classic UI and control scheme for those who prefer the traditional setup. Personally, I’ve really enjoyed playing with a controller and on my Nintendo Switch for the first time. I highly recommend trying out both a controller and playing on Switch. It’s an awesome new way to experience this legendary game.

What improvements were made under the hood? Examples such as graphics rendering, load times, or pathfinding that players might not immediately notice but will feel during gameplay?

We’ve made several overall gameplay enhancements, many of which are noticeable as soon as you boot the game such as graphical overhauls and UI/UX redesigns, while others like updating the game client to a 64-bit architecture, and networking infrastructure are a little more behind the scenes to support modern hardware. The upgrades clearly come through when you are playing the expansions that are now all included. I’m a big Mask of the Betrayer fan and it has been a ton of fun to experience this classic now fully enhanced.

Is there one thing the team is particularly proud of with this version of the game?

Overall we’re proud to bring back this classic game. It’s a series, and an experience, that we hold near to our hearts and are thrilled that players get to jump back into Faerûn to either start a new adventure, or pick up one they might have left many years ago. If you are new to Neverwinter, you can start your journey in Neverwinter 1, which is bundled with our new game on Steam.

Did player feedback from the original game and its expansions shape the goals or priorities of the remaster?

Absolutely! Feedback from original players was a big part of how we shaped this Enhanced Edition. We always take time to understand what the community cares about before starting a project. Our goal was to create something that feels fresh for new players but still respects and supports the fans who’ve been with the game for years.

Is there any interest in a Nintendo Switch 2 version or an update that would take advantage of the system’s mouse feature?

As of now, we have no news to share. Eventually, I hope we have more updates in the future.

Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition launches for Nintendo Switch on July 17, 2025. Read more about the game here.