The long-awaited release of Hogwarts Legacy on the Nintendo Switch has finally arrived, but it seems that the version for the handheld console falls short in one major aspect. A comparison video posted by Mark Walker of YouTube channel SwitchUp reveals that the Switch version of the game no longer features a seamless open world, a key feature that sets it apart from the versions available on other platforms.
While the Switch version of Hogwarts Legacy is visually less detailed compared to the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and PC versions, Walker notes that the game still runs reasonably well on the handheld console, particularly when played in handheld mode. However, the biggest flaw in the Switch version, according to Walker, is the loss of a seamless open world experience.
On the more powerful platforms, players can seamlessly move from inside Hogwarts to the town of Hogsmeade without any loading times. However, on the Switch version, entering Hogsmeade triggers a 30 to 50-second loading screen. Additionally, entering shops in Hogsmeade also requires another loading screen, disrupting the flow of gameplay.
Walker points out that while these issues may not be deal-breakers for most players, they do impact the overall flow and experience of the game, especially in a town with multiple buildings requiring individual loading screens. Despite these drawbacks, the fact that Hogwarts Legacy is available on the Nintendo Switch at all is seen as impressive by many.
Hogwarts Legacy has already achieved significant success, becoming Europe’s best-selling game in the first half of 2023 and selling over 12 million copies in its first two weeks of release on other platforms. However, the game’s release was not without controversy, as it was boycotted by some fans due to public comments made by the book’s author, J.K. Rowling, that were perceived as transphobic.
As players on the Nintendo Switch delve into the magical world of Hogwarts Legacy, they will have to contend with the trade-offs of a less seamless open world experience in exchange for the ability to experience the game on the handheld console.