Highlights

  • The Nintendo Switch version of Hogwarts Legacy does not offer a true open world experience, with loading screens present when traveling around or entering various shops.
  • While the open world of Hogwarts Legacy was one of its biggest big selling points on the other platforms, these sacrifices were probably necessary for a native Switch release.
  • Fans can still expect an immersive and challenging adventure in the game, with the opportunity to explore locations, learn spells, and develop their characters.

The Nintendo Switch version of Hogwarts Legacy is missing a major feature, as it doesn’t appear to be a fully open world game. Hogwarts Legacy was officially released on PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC in February 2023, while its PS4 and Xbox One versions launched on May 5.

Hogwarts Legacy was also set to release on the Nintendo Switch in July 2023, but it was later delayed to November 14. The development team stated that creating the best possible experience of Hogwarts Legacy was its top priority, before thanking fans for their continued patience. Now, it looks like the Switch port of Hogwarts Legacy is missing a key feature, as it doesn’t seem to offer a full open world gameplay experience.

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SwitchUp has shared a new video that offers a deeper look into the technical aspects of Hogwarts Legacy’s Switch port. The full video highlights the visual quality of the Switch version, in addition to its frame rate and comparisons with other editions of Hogwarts Legacy. Most notably, it confirms that the Switch port of Hogwarts Legacy doesn't offer a fully open world, as fans will consistently come across loading screens while playing through the game.

Not only will players encounter a loading screen whenever they want to travel to Hogsmeade in Hogwarts Legacy, they also will have to sit through one when trying to enter its various shops. According to the video, Hogwarts Legacy takes 30 to 50 seconds to load this interior space, so gamers will likely spend a ton of time on loading screens when playing through the Switch version of Hogwarts Legacy. While the open world of Hogwarts Legacy was one of its biggest big selling points on the other platforms, these sacrifices were probably necessary for a native Switch release.

Hogwarts Legacy received positive reviews when it originally came out, as it has a score of 84 on Metacritic. The PS4 and Xbox One editions also seem solid, so it’ll be interesting to see how critics and fans react to the Switch port of Hogwarts Legacy.

Hogwarts Legacy was also a massive commercial success, as it has sold over 15 million copies as of May 5, 2023. Fans can still find it in various sales charts, months after its original launch earlier in the year. Even though it doesn't offer a full open world experience, this total may increase by a noteworthy amount with the release of Hogwarts Legacy on the Nintendo Switch.