Originally launched in 2020 by Australian developer Wicked Witch and publisher Tru Blu Games as a licensed Australian Rules Football title called AFL Evolution 2, the game is set for an unconventional re-release five years later, this time without official licensing.
Noted by Press Start, the game is coming back to the Nintendo Switch under the new name Aussie Rules Evolution 2. A product description for the retail version states it features `no licensed teams, just pure fun and great gameplay,` with accompanying images showing generic kits and athletes.
AFL Evolution 2 initially debuted on Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC in 2020. It was the final licensed AFL game developed by Wicked Witch before the licensing rights shifted to Big Ant Studios, a Nacon subsidiary recognized for its licensed sports titles, particularly cricket and tennis. The original game was removed from digital stores in January 2023, preceding the launch of Big Ant`s AFL 23.
As of now, only the Nintendo Switch version is available for pre-order, with a physical release planned for July 18, 2025. There has been no announcement regarding a digital release for Switch or any other platforms.
This re-release follows closely after Big Ant Studios` latest official AFL game, AFL 26, which came out last month for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. AFL 26 is also scheduled for a later release on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.
Finley Holt 
Callum Darby