10 Nintendo Switch Games Limited by the Hardware

When the Nintendo Switch came out on March 3, 2017, it was accompanied by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Many consider this game to be the best launch title ever, especially for a Nintendo system. This powerful combination created huge excitement and drove strong sales for the console, ultimately leading to its success.

The Switch quickly became popular because it was easy to play games anywhere without needing to worry about saving progress online. Fans even started a catchphrase, “Put it on Switch!” While the console was a hit, not every game ran perfectly. Some games were limited by the Switch’s older technology, meaning they weren’t always as smooth or visually impressive as they could be – they weren’t bad games, just a little rough around the edges.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Complicated Multiplayer

When Animal Crossing: New Horizons launched on the Switch, it was perfectly timed to offer players a relaxing escape during the pandemic. The game let people freely explore and customize their own island – from planting gardens to decorating homes – and it ran very well. The only downside was visiting friends’ islands, which was often slow and frustrating due to limitations with the Switch’s hardware. Hopefully, the next version of the Switch will resolve these multiplayer issues.

Bayonetta 3

An Action Dip

The Bayonetta series started as a game for both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, but Nintendo later made it exclusive to their consoles during the Wii U generation. Both the original Bayonetta and its sequel, Bayonetta 2, performed and looked fantastic on the Wii U, as you’d expect from action games. However, Bayonetta 3, despite being on more powerful hardware, wasn’t quite as polished. The graphics sometimes appeared blurry, and while the gameplay was still exciting, it didn’t feel as fluid as other popular games made by PlatinumGames.

Mortal Kombat 1

Becoming A Meme

When Mortal Kombat 1 launched on the Switch alongside other consoles, it quickly became a running joke among players. The graphics were noticeably simplified, making characters look blurry and sometimes comical, particularly their teeth. While updates improved the visuals somewhat, the Switch version still didn’t compare to versions on consoles like the PS5. On top of the graphics issues, players experienced long loading times and reported that the gameplay felt significantly worse than usual, leading many to wonder if anyone at the development studio, NetherRealm Studios, had actually tested the game before it was released.

Hogwarts Legacy

Not Very Magical

Like Mortal Kombat 1, Hogwarts Legacy had issues, but they didn’t become as widely joked about online. It felt like playing an older-generation game on newer hardware – players should have had a good idea of what to expect.

The original game took a long time to load and didn’t look very detailed, making it feel smaller in scale compared to versions on other consoles. Fortunately, the Switch 2 version looks much better, rivaling consoles like the PS5, so Harry Potter fans can now fully enjoy the game on a Nintendo system.

Super Mario Maker 2

Not As Versatile As The Wii U

Super Mario Maker 2 delivered on what fans hoped for in a sequel, offering expanded options for sharing levels online and a streamlined experience for creating and testing them on the go. While the game broadened the possibilities for level design, it also took a step back in some areas. Notably, it removed support for Amiibo costumes, preventing players from using characters like Link from Zelda or Marth from Fire Emblem. Additionally, the lack of touch controls in docked mode made level creation more challenging compared to the original Wii U version, which benefited from the GamePad’s intuitive design.

Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX

Cloud-Based Gaming

We’re using Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 ReMIX as an example to illustrate a problem with cloud gaming on the Nintendo Switch. Instead of making the games run directly on the Switch (which might mean lower graphics), some companies are choosing to stream them from the internet to improve performance. While the Kingdom Hearts games were playable, the game’s performance was affected by occasional internet connection issues within the Switch system, making it less smooth than playing on a traditional console. It’s surprising Square Enix chose this method, considering these Kingdom Hearts titles were originally made for the PlayStation 2 and should have run well on the Switch’s hardware.

Miitopia

Passing On SpotPass

Originally released for the 3DS, Miitopia was a role-playing game where battles played out automatically. What made it unique was its use of Mii characters, which players could collect from other 3DS users through the SpotPass and StreetPass features. By the time it came to North America in 2017, many players had a lot of Mii friends to populate the game, making it an enjoyable experience despite not being the strongest RPG on the system. While bringing Miitopia to the Switch was a good way to introduce it to new audiences, the Switch version lost the special connection of the original’s SpotPass feature, making it feel less engaging.

Pokemon Scarlet/Violet

It’s Not Super Effective

It’s not surprising when smaller developers release lower-quality games on less powerful consoles, as seen with titles like Mortal Kombat 1 and Hogwarts Legacy. However, it’s much more disappointing when a key Nintendo partner, like Game Freak, releases games such as Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet that feel unfinished and like early test versions.

There was something clearly wrong with the new games, which was disappointing because they were meant to be the foundation for the next generation of Pokemon. They suffered from performance issues, like slow speeds, and everything – the characters, Pokemon, and environments – looked blurry and lacked detail. While they now run better on the Switch 2, long-time Pokemon fans haven’t forgotten the initial, underwhelming appearance.

The Legend Of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (2019)

Wonky Toys

While not a complete disaster, the 2019 remake of The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening didn’t launch as smoothly as most Zelda games do. Despite being a 2D adventure, the game occasionally had trouble maintaining a consistent frame rate. Though noticeable, these dips didn’t ruin the experience. It’s a minor issue, but worth pointing out because the remake was otherwise excellent.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2

A Big, Rough Open-World

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 was a huge open-world game, similar in scope to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, as both games came out in 2017. While it offered a vast world, it didn’t look as polished as the previous Xenoblade titles. Players sometimes noticed the frame rate dropping during exploration or combat, and the graphics weren’t always as detailed, especially in the environments and character models. Interestingly, later Xenoblade games released on the Switch – including Xenoblade Chronicles 3, Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition, and Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition – all ran and looked better than Xenoblade Chronicles 2, which is a bit of a puzzle. It’s possible the game was simply released quickly to meet its 2017 launch date.

2025-12-23 11:35