- The Legend Returns: After 7 years and nearly 1 million copies sold, the ultimate friendship-testing simulator is back.
- Online Revolution: For the first time, players can grab (and drop) their friends via Online Multiplayer.
- Next-Gen Ready: Launching on PC, Nintendo Switch, and the Nintendo Switch 2 with exclusive GameShare support.
- The Content: 8 brand-new themed worlds, fresh mechanics like drones and popguns, and a dedicated Versus mode.
Announced during the March 2026 Nintendo Indie World Showcase, Devolver Digital and French developer Le Cartel Studio have officially pulled back the curtain on Heave Ho 2. Scheduled for a Summer 2026 release, this sequel promises more physics-based chaos, high-stakes dangling, and inevitable “accidental” betrayals.
What’s New in the Grip?
The core loop remains simple: grab your friend’s hand, swing across a pit, and hope nobody lets go. However, Heave Ho 2 introduces several game-changing features that expand the experience far beyond the 2019 original.
| Feature | Details |
| Online Multiplayer | 2–4 players can now play together across the globe (or just throw each other off cliffs remotely). |
| 8 Themed Worlds | Includes Zero-G Space, Medieval Castles, and a “Chaos Kitchen” with unique environmental hazards. |
| Versus Mode | A high-speed mini-challenge mode designed to settle scores and release co-op tension. |
| New Gizmos | Use popguns, sauce bottles, levers, keys, and drones to navigate complex puzzles. |
| Visual Polish | Upgraded character expressions and environmental detail for more “expressive” failures. |
The “Switch 2” Edge: GameShare
Nintendo fans have extra reason to celebrate. Heave Ho 2 is confirmed for the Nintendo Switch 2, featuring GameShare functionality. This allows one owner of the game to host a session for up to three other players (local or online) who don’t own the game, making it the perfect low-barrier-to-entry party title.
From ‘Mother Russia’ to ‘Heave Ho’: The Le Cartel Story
The journey of Le Cartel Studio is one of the most fascinating pivots in indie history. Founded in 2013 by former Ubisoft Paris designers, the studio first made waves with Mother Russia Bleeds (2016)—a gritty, hyper-violent beat-’em-up that caught the eye of the Hotline Miami team.
In 2019, they performed a total 180-degree turn with Heave Ho, a game born from a 48-hour game jam prototype. The shift from dark, bloody combat to colorful, slapstick physics proved to be a masterstroke, as Heave Ho became one of Devolver’s most consistent best-sellers on the eShop.
“Our goal with the sequel was to take that feeling of physical connection and bring it online. Now, you can feel the weight of your friend’s mistake from halfway across the world.” — Le Cartel Studio
Game Profile: Heave Ho 2
- Developer: Le Cartel Studio (Paris, France)
- Publisher: Devolver Digital
- Genre: Physics-based Party / Co-op Action
- Platforms: PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
- Release Window: Summer 2026
- Language Support: Full localization, including English and Korean
Steam Store Page: Heave Ho 2 on Steam
