Highlights

  • Hogwarts Legacy on the Nintendo Switch faces limitations in terms of graphics and performance compared to its counterparts, with downgraded visuals and lower frame rates.
  • Players may experience frame rate drops and glitches in dense areas, as well as longer loading times due to loading screens that segment the open-world elements.
  • While there are compromises in the Switch version, the portability of the title allows players to experience the magical world of Hogwarts anytime, anywhere, making it a worthwhile investment for fans eager to play on the go if they can accept it is a lesser version.

After about 8 months since its initial launch in February of this year, Hogwarts Legacy is at last arriving on the Nintendo Switch. The enchanting open-world RPG, situated in the Harry Potter universe, is now accessible on every gaming platform, providing an opportunity for players across the board to immerse themselves in the magical world depicted in the movies. As this expansive game finds its way onto a relatively compact device, certain aspects may inevitably undergo adjustments — be it in terms of performance, visual quality, or the frames per second. The looming question is whether Hogwarts Legacy is worth buying on the Nintendo Switch.

A main concern over the Switch port of Hogwarts Legacy is the title's size. According to the information on the Nintendo eShop, Hogwarts Legacy is somehow coming in at a measly 14.3 GB, which pales in comparison to the title's install size of 79.5 GB on PS5. Compared to other consoles, the graphics of Hogwarts Legacy on the Switch have been downgraded for the game to run properly. Of course, sacrifices had to be made so that the switch could actually run the game. But perhaps the size of the game is quite the cause for concern.

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Why Hogwarts Legacy's Size on the Switch May Be Cause For Concern

  • Less open-world, more loading screens
  • Frequent glitches in dense areas
  • One single performance mode, limited choices
  • Robotic characters
  • Much lower FPS

Hogwarts Legacy has been successfully squeezed into a port for the Nintendo Switch. The elephant in the room, however, is the question of how the title runs on the Nintendo Switch compared to its performance on next-gen consoles and PC. Given the graphic intensity of Hogwarts Legacy, particularly with numerous particle effects, the Switch port had to undergo visual downgrades to maintain a stable 30fps.

Despite these efforts, players have observed frame rate drops below 30fps in dense areas, such as the castle or among trees. The Nintendo Switch version introduces loading screens that segment the open-world elements found in versions for other platforms, leading to longer overall loading times.

Frames are the Least of Hogwarts Legacy's Switch Problems

As expected, there have been bigger sacrifices, too — players have observed the absence of the Hogwarts Express in popular quests, indicative of necessary cutbacks in textures and map sizes. The Switch version only offers a single performance mode, albeit with a few customizable options. Glitches persist in densely populated areas, including those with trees and within the castle, affecting the overall open-world experience.

Notably, each shop in Hogsmeade now requires a loading screen, altering the seamless feel of the game. Character models, unfortunately, appear robotic, and the overall performance on the Switch takes a significant hit compared to Hogwarts Legacy's console counterparts. These compromises may leave players grappling with a less immersive and polished Hogwarts Legacy experience on the Nintendo Switch, suggesting it is not truly the same open-world experience as that on other platforms.

Is Hogwarts Legacy On The Nintendo Switch Worth Buying?

Ultimately, Hogwarts Legacy manages to function on the Nintendo Switch, surpassing initial expectations with a gameplay experience that, despite a few drawbacks, is better than anticipated. One notable advantage is the portability of the Nintendo Switch, allowing players to delve into the magical world of Hogwarts anytime, anywhere. While the compromises in graphics and performance are evident and create a lesser version of the game, the convenience of the Switch's on-the-go play might make it a worthwhile investment for fans eager to experience the wizarding realm on their handheld console.