When looking at a lot of Nintendo’s first-party games, it’s sometimes hard to remember that the Nintendo Switch’s processing power can’t handle a lot of the graphics-intensive games on other hardware. It’s a hybrid console and handheld, so a smaller processor and graphics card are to be expected compared to the PS4 and Xbox. Still, Nintendo’s more cartoony style fits with the limitations of the system and has led to it being a perfect console for those wanting to play its first-party games.
Nintendo is known for having rough relationships with third-party developers, from the GameCube-exclusive Capcom games falling through to Nintendo and Sony splitting after the Super Nintendo disk drive fallout. However, the Nintendo Switch holds some intrigue for developers, as the large install base and the portable nature of the system give them a new market to tap into. Even with the trials and tribulations of porting a large game onto a less powerful system when the PS5 seems to start outselling the Switch soon, some developers have decided that the platform is still worth supporting.
The Nintendo Switch has turned over a new leaf with third-party developers but still holds a lot of current-gen experiences back. That being said, some game developers have tried very hard to fit their games onto the system in the hopes of capturing the Switch’s playerbase. Whether or not through sheer force of will or a complete overhaul, these games probably don’t belong on the Nintendo Switch but are welcome additions to the library anyway.
Cloud Versions of Kingdom Hearts Are Coming To Switch
It’s important to mention cloud versions here, as many of the top versions of games on other consoles are using the cloud to run on the Nintendo Switch without actually pushing the system’s processing power. Since these versions only exist as long as the cloud is up and require a constant connection to the internet, there’s been a lot of debate about whether or not the upcoming Switch ports of Kingdom Hearts as well as the port of Guardians of the Galaxy are “real” ports for the Nintendo Switch. Most of these versions run fine, but it’s not really an example of ingenuity.
Cloud versions are much more in line with streaming games due to the fact it’s not using the Switch hardware to actually run them. These games definitely have their place in the Switch library for people who want to play other console exclusives, especially for fans who only own one console. Still, there are questions to be had about whether or not these versions are worth the full price of physical – and even locally downloaded – releases.
The Witcher 3 Is a Massive RPG That Somehow Runs on Switch
The Witcher 3 seems like it would be a cloud version, but somehow the team at both Saber Interactive and CD Projekt Red were able to fit the entirety of The Witcher 3 in a surprisingly high resolution onto a physical game card. The original game is a benchmark for graphics, having not only an incredible level of detail but also a huge world. The fact that the entire game runs on the Switch, even with a lower resolution and graphical quality, is nearly miraculous given that this version also includes all the expansions and DLC.
Of course, the framerates are still worse than the other consoles’ versions, but that doesn’t mean that the port isn’t impressive. It’s still a very playable game and doesn’t sacrifice any gameplay elements to make it happen. The portability definitely sells the game – playing a fairly powerful version of The Witcher 3 on the go with no need for a stable internet connection is an offer many fans can’t pass up.
Doom Eternal Is An M-Rated Graphical Showcase On Switch
Although Nintendo has had a history with Doom on the Nintendo 64 and the original Doom Trilogy is available on Nintendo Switch, its systems rarely focus on mature content. When a game like Madworld for the Nintendo Wii or Resident Evil 4 for the GameCube shows up, it’s usually labeled as an outlier as Nintendo’s target demographic – children, teenagers, and families – usually can’t play these games. Due to this, a lot of horror and shooter games like Doom never come over to Nintendo systems and have instead taken advantage of the improvements in graphics that competing consoles have.
However, the Nintendo Switch has started to build a steady catalog of M-rated games, even if many developers have had to push their graphical capabilities lower to get their games running on the handheld. The best example is Doom Eternal, a game that runs and plays well on the portable Nintendo Switch and even the worthwhile handheld Switch Lite at a consistent 30 frames per second. While graphical quality did suffer immensely in order to get the Switch port out at a similar time to the PS4 and Xbox versions, Panic Button did try and make the port worth buying for Nintendo fans.
Overwatch Is A Team-Based Multiplayer Game On Switch
Despite the original Overwatch releasing in 2016 and the Switch port taking until 2019 to be completed, it’s still surreal to see the team-based shooter running on the system. Not only does the game require a graphical fidelity not usually seen in other Switch games, but it also requires an internet connection that the Nintendo Switch has historically struggled with. Splatoon and the upcoming Spatoon 3 offers team-based shooting gameplay, but seamless twelve-player matches with different characters running on detailed maps is not something the Switch has dealt with in the past.
With the exception of Overwatch’s competitive mode, the game can now be played cross-platform, allowing Switch owners to play with friends who have PS4s and PCs. There aren’t too many games with cross-platform support on Switch to begin with, so Overwatch having this mode makes it much more appealing than other e-sports-driven games for the system. The game runs fine but doesn’t feel like it fits within Nintendo’s catalog – even though the art style is more cartoony than a traditional shooter, its target demographic is young adults that are into e-sports, which aren’t two categories Nintendo is usually associated with.
While the Switch could undoubtedly be more powerful than its current model, there are still ways to enjoy AAA titles, including some of Nintendo’s best games. Many console owners adopt the strategy of playing both PC games and Switch games to keep their options open and allow themselves the freedom that portability brings. With the Steam Deck on its way, there may be less reason for hardcore PC users to use the Switch given its lower processing power and graphical capability.
Of course, the Switch has marketed itself in two separate ways – great first-party games that are portable for the first time, and downloadable indies that are smaller and less expensive but still give hours of playtime. Having AAA games like The Witcher 3 and Overwatch on the platform is definitely important, but these games push the console to its limits. The Nintendo Switch doesn’t need to wow with its performance to appeal to its core fanbase – it usually impresses with innovation like a Switch DS would – but it’s great to see these AAA titles available on the console anyway.
