In 2020, the Australian developer Wicked Witch and publisher Tru Blu Games introduced AFL Evolution 2, a licensed Australian Rules Football game. Now, five years later, the game is making a unique return without the official license.

Recently, Press Start discovered that AFL Evolution 2 is being re-released on the Nintendo Switch as Aussie Rules Evolution 2. The game, as described in a retail listing, will feature 'no licensed teams, just pure fun and great gameplay.' Screenshots from the listing reveal generic uniforms and players.

AFL Evolution 2 originally launched in 2020 on Switch, PS4, Xbox One, and PC. It was the final licensed AFL game developed by Wicked Witch before the licensing rights were acquired by Nacon subsidiary Big Ant Studios, known for its cricket and tennis games. The game was removed from digital stores in January 2023, just before the release of Big Ant's AFL 23.

Currently, only the Nintendo Switch version of Aussie Rules Evolution 2 is available for preorder, with a retail release date set for July 18, 2025. There has been no announcement regarding a digital release on the Switch or other platforms.

This re-release follows the recent launch of AFL 26, the latest officially licensed AFL game from Big Ant Studios, which debuted last month on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. The game is also scheduled for release on the Nintendo Switch 2 at a later date.