Nicalis, the publisher behind The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+, announces that the game will be joining the Nintendo Switch's launch lineup on March 3.

The Nintendo Switch might be one of the most controversial consoles ever released, and that's coming from the same company that survived the tumultuous fan response to its Wii and 3DS devices as well. Fans are still split on whether or not Nintendo's console has what it takes to compete against much more powerful systems in the PS4 and Xbox One, while news emerging about the Switch's accessory lineup has some believing the device might be too expensive at launch to justify a purchase.

The most discussed topic regarding the Switch is also the least surprising. When Nintendo made its pitch for the Switch last week, the company revealed that the console would be releasing with a scant five game launch lineup, prompting some gamers to immediately take a pass on the system until it had a deeper games library. A recent announcement from Nicalis, the publisher behind The Binding of Isaac, might be an indication that Nintendo is looking to add a few more titles at the last minute, howver - Nicalis announced today that The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ will be joining the Switch's launch lineup on March 3.

The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ will be available at launch as both a physical retail purchase and a digital download, with both options running gamers $39.99 USD. The Switch version of the title will also see The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth, Afterbirth, and Afterbirth+ all packaged together in one offering, making the Switch's The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ the best entry point for gamers who haven't experienced the critically-acclaimed series yet.

Nicalis founder Tyrone Rodriguez also teased in the announcement post that the first few thousand copies of the Switch's The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ might include "something special", although he declined to comment further on just what that might entail. The inclusion of Afterbirth+ in the Switch's launch lineup, however, should give hardcore gamers more than just The Legend of Zelda: The Breath of the Wild to sink their teeth into - previously, the Switch's lineup had been criticized as being a little too soft in offering up any sort of challenging titles.

What the announcement from Nicalis means for the Switch is two-fold. First, the console will be getting another stellar game to add to its launch lineup, although it is one that many gamers have likely already enjoyed elsewhere. Second, Nintendo appears to be willing to modify its launch lineup to meet the criticisms of fans thus far, and that could be an exciting proposition - there may be a few more titles coming to the Switch at launch before we make it to March 3 after all.

The Binding of Isaac: Afterbirth+ is available now for PC, and will release on March 3, 2017 for the Switch as part of the console's launch lineup.