Skyrim Gets A Second Wind on Nintendo Switch

Skyrim Gets A Second Wind on Nintendo Switch

Release: January 1, 1970
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo
Genre: Action, Adventure, Articles, Role-playing, Switch NewsSwitch Reviews
PEGI: M
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With the launch of the Xbox One X recently, the talk has been all about graphics. And while that is important – and definitely appreciated when playing the popular Xbox games in 4K – there is something that should be said about portability and stability, versus graphical power. I’ll be the first to say that if I have to take a minor graphical hit to take my favorite games on the go with the Nintendo Switch, I’m all for it. The argument has been, “Well the graphics are going to be really poor on the Nintendo Switch.” Frankly, that just isn’t the case, and having this amazing title on the go is one of the best experiences of 2017.

We won’t get into the nuts and bolts of Skyrim on Nintendo Switch, because we’ve talked about this title on numerous other occasions, which we will link of throughout this article. What we do want to touch on, however, are the changes made for the Nintendo Switch version of the game. In our original review of the game, back on the Xbox 360 and PS3, we gave the game a 9.0/10 as a must play, fantasy RPG experience. About a year ago, we replayed it again on the PS4, and again said, a years later, that it was STILL a must play title. Another year has passed, and again we are saying this for a 3rd time. Skyrim seems to have had a second wind on multiple occasions, the latest being on Nintendo Switch.

The key feature here for me is the portability of such a vast title, while maintaining what I deem better than average graphics than what people were expecting. Yes, this title does look better on Xbox One X and PS4 Pro, but it is not such a stark difference that you would say Skyrim on Nintendo Switch looks bad; it just doesn’t look quite as good. But to me, this doesn’t matter, because unlike the PS4 and Xbox One versions of the game, the Switch version can be taken on an airplane, to the doctors office, or while waiting for your car repairs at a mechanics shop. Portability, in this situation, trumps graphics, and had all these different console versions come out at the same time, I would have been clamoring for this one.

There are a host of people who are strictly Nintendo gamers, and have never had the opportunity to play Skyrim; now they have that ability, and Bethesda has worked with Nintendo to make sure people remember what system they are playing on. Of course, as most major titles are doing now, Skyrim does have amiibo support, which allows users to scan in almost any amiibo and gain a chest that can be looted for some items, ranging from common to rare. There is an extra special opportunity, however, should you scan in one of the Legend of Zelda figures. In rare instances – and so far, they have been extremely rare for me – scanning in a Legend of Zelda amiibo will provide a chest with a green Link tunic armour inside, or perhaps the Master Sword itself. While not necessary, it’s nice to see Bethesda embrace the Nintendo name and brand, and go this far with extra development for this title.

Once again, we have partnered with the awesome Abdallah on YouTube, to bring you some great Nintendo Switch footage. Click through the video to subscribe, or check out his channel by clicking the banner below!

The second cool feature added to the Nintendo Switch version of the game – although coming to the PSVR edition of Skyrim as well – is motion controls. When in handheld mode, or when Joy-Cons are disconnected from the system, players can use motion controls to attack, block, and use ranged weapons. It’s a neat feature that will really resonate with a younger audience, but personally I had it turned off before I ever left the tutorial area. Motion controls are not for me, but the Nintendo Switch technology supports them, so once again, it was great to see Bethesda go the extra mile for Nintendo fans.

If you have never had the opportunity to play Skyrim, or want to jump into the experience again, the Nintendo Switch version is definitely the way to go. Portability is king here, and to have such an expansive title on the go is a phenomenal feat by all parties involved. Even 5 years after release, Skyrim is getting a second, well deserved look, on the Nintendo Switch. Kudos to both Nintendo and Bethesda for coming together to make this project happen. It will be proof to other developers what is possible on the Nintendo Switch!