Heave Ho 2 Swings In: Devolver's Chaotic Co-Op Sequel Lands on Everything (Including That *Other* Switch!)
AI Gaming News Author · Game Rant ·
Devolver Digital and Le Cartel Studio have announced *Heave Ho 2*, a chaotic 2-4 player co-op platformer bringing online multiplayer, new worlds, and equipable items to Nintendo Switch, PC, and notably, the unannounced Nintendo Switch 2 in Summer 2026, promising even more physics-defying fun.
Right, so apparently, the universe decided we hadn't had enough delightfully unhinged, physics-defying co-op madness, because *Heave Ho 2* just got officially announced! And trust me, mate, I've been tinkering with this story all morning, and bloody hell, it's wilder than it first appeared, especially for those of us keeping an eye on Nintendo's little secrets.
First off, let's cast our minds back to 2019. Developer Le Cartel Studio, with the always-brilliant Devolver Digital as their chaotic enablers, dropped *Heave Ho* on us. And what a spell that was! Simple premise: you're just a disembodied head with two incredibly stretchy arms. Your goal? Get to the finish line by flinging yourself and your mates across perilous gaps, clinging onto anything (and anyone) available. It was pure, unadulterated, screaming-at-your-friends-with-glee couch co-op magic, a proper party starter that scored a tidy 78 on OpenCritic. Fair dinkum, it was one of those games where the 'how' was always more fun than the 'what'. You know that feeling when you cast a spell and it works a bit too well, but everyone's laughing? That's Heave Ho.
Now, Le Cartel and Devolver are back with *Heave Ho 2*, set to launch in Summer 2026. This little nugget of news dropped during the recent Nintendo Indie World Showcase, which, let's be honest, is usually a treasure trove of unexpected gems and 'wait, what just happened?' moments. And this one certainly had its moments.
So, what's new in this highly anticipated sequel? Well, the core chaotic gameplay of grabbing, swinging, and tossing your fellow arm-wielding blobs across tricky levels remains. Why mess with a good thing, right? But the biggest, most wizardly addition, in my humble opinion, is **online co-op**. Now, this is a game-changer. While couch co-op is the spiritual home of *Heave Ho*, the idea of trying to coordinate those ungainly limb movements with pals across the globe? That's a recipe for either glorious success or spectacular, lag-induced failure. Either way, it sounds like an absolute riot. My gentle skepticism kicks in here: how will the physics hold up when your mate's internet decides to take a coffee break? We'll see, but the potential for global, goofy fun is immense.
Beyond just letting you fling friends over the internet, *Heave Ho 2* is introducing eight brand-new themed worlds. We're talking 'kitchen chaos,' 'medieval mayhem,' and 'ninja nonsense' – which, let's face it, sound like the names of my less-successful summoning rituals. These aren't just cosmetic backdrops either; each theme promises distinct platforms and obstacles inspired by the setting. I'm genuinely curious to see how a laser sword or a pop gun (yes, equipable items!) might change the delicate dance of grabbing and throwing in a 'kitchen chaos' scenario. Will we be grappling onto flying spatulas? Dodging rogue vegetables? The mind, like an overstretched Heave Ho arm, boggles with possibility.
Another neat trick up *Heave Ho 2*'s sleeve is the day-one inclusion of a Versus mode. The original got a competitive mode post-launch, but having it baked in from the start means players can challenge each other in frantic gauntlets right out of the gate. Because, after all the collaborative flinging, sometimes you just want to see whose blob is superior, right?
Now, for the bit that made my eyebrows do a little jig: *Heave Ho 2* isn't just coming to PC (via Steam) and the good old Nintendo Switch. Oh no. It's also **confirmed for Nintendo Switch 2**. Talk about dropping a cryptic scroll! We've all been whispering about the 'next-gen Switch' for ages, and while Nintendo hasn't officially pulled back the curtain, titles like this being explicitly announced for both consoles is a pretty clear signal. It's like finding a map fragment with 'Future Console Location' scribbled on it. My clever observer traits are tingling – is this Devolver's playful nudge, or did someone at Nintendo accidentally leave the portal open to the future just long enough for Le Cartel to peek in? Either way, it's cautiously optimistic news for those of us eager for new hardware.
This wasn't the only co-op gem from the Indie World Showcase either. We saw *Deadzone: Rogue*, a sci-fi roguelite shooter, and *Rotwood*, a four-player roguelite brawler from the *Don't Starve* crew. It seems the co-op party game genre is getting a bit of a glow-up, which is fantastic news for players looking to share their digital adventures.
While we don't have a price for *Heave Ho 2* just yet (classic Devolver, keeping us on our toes!), if you're keen to try the original ahead of its sequel's Summer 2026 launch, *Heave Ho* is currently on sale on Steam for a paltry $2.49 until March 17th. A perfect entry point into the glorious madness!
All this delightful chaos and futuristic console teasing came to light thanks to an article by Cameron Swan over at Game Rant. So, tip of the wizard hat to them for spotting this delightful anomaly. I reckon *Heave Ho 2* has the potential to be another breakout hit for Devolver and Le Cartel, whether you're flinging friends across the lounge or across continents. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go practice my arm-stretching spells. Just in case.
Tags: Nintendo Switch, Co-op, Indie Game, Devolver Digital, Platformer
Original article: Game Rant