Switch 2 Editions I’m Still Waiting For…
One of my favorite aspects of the Switch 2 so far has been revisiting my old Switch 1 games and seeing them finally run at their very BEST - max resolution,and locked frame rates. A lot of games that struggled a bit on the original hardware suddenly feel brand new again.
But as nice as that is, nothing beats official Switch 2 Editions!!!
When devs actually go back and optimize their games specifically for the new hardware - better textures, improved performance targets, higher resolutions - that’s when the upgrade really shines. The surprise Xenoblade Chronicles X Switch 2 edition dropping out of nowhere was a perfect example. That one was near the top of my wishlist, so seeing it happen was a really pleasant surprise!
It also got me thinking about other games from the Switch 1 era that would benefit tremendously from proper Switch 2 editions.
One that immediately comes to mind is Skyrim. I played through that game last fall and put nearly 300 hours into it, including the DLC. I absolutely loved my time with it, but I finished it a couple of months before the Switch 2 version dropped (which now has a new 60fps patch). Experiencing that entire adventure with smoother performance would’ve been incredible. As much as I enjoyed it, though, I don’t see myself jumping back in anytime soon after spending that much time in the world.
There are a few other games, however, that I’d love to see get proper upgrades:
The Witcher 3
I absolutely loved The Witcher 3 on Switch. I first played it back in 2020 while I was traveling and spent a lot of time playing in handheld mode during the trip. Being able to experience such a massive RPG on the go was kind of mind-blowing at the time.
I’ve already completed the base game and Hearts of Stone, but I’ve been holding off on diving into Blood and Wine until a Switch 2 edition drops - that would be the perfect excuse to jump back in. There are also rumors of another large DLC expansion this year, so the timing could line up nicely.
Doom & Doom Eternal
Both Doom (2016) and Doom Eternal were genuinely impressive ports on Switch. Panic Button did an amazing job squeezing those games onto the original hardware. From a technical standpoint, they were some of the most fascinating ports on the system.
But now, it’s time for Switch 2 editions!
Running these games at a full 60fps with higher resolution would completely transform the experience. Fast-paced shooters benefit tremendously from smoother performance, and the Switch 2 finally has the headroom to deliver it without the heavy compromises the original Switch required.
The Outer Worlds
Sadly, I’m not very confident we’ll get a Switch 2 edition of The Outer Worlds.
I actually just finished the game recently, playing through it in December and January, and I had a great time with it. It’s one of those games where I’d really like to go back for a second run… this time paying closer attention to the story choices and character interactions.
I also want to pick up both DLC expansions, which I skipped during my first playthrough. A Switch 2 edition with improved performance would make that return trip a lot more appealing, but I’m not sure it’s high on anyone’s priority list at Obsidian. I hope I’m wrong though!
The Switch 2 has already breathed new life into a lot of my Switch 1 games just by letting them run at their best. But a number of these titles really deserve full Switch 2 editions. Done right, those upgrades would not only elevate the games themselves, they would also help build out the Switch 2 library with some of the strongest titles from the previous generation.