Skyrim for Nintendo Switch

I feel like every Nintendo Switch port review is going to be all about performance on the console, so here is a concise look at how Skyrim runs on Nintendo’s portable-home hybrid.

• To start things off, this port of Skyrim feels like a truly fantastic, complete version of the game. Unlike Bethesda’s November 10 release of DOOM on the Nintendo Switch, which ran at a slower framerate with other frame pacing issues, Skyrim runs at a comparable speed to other console versions, and even if it did have issues, it doesn’t rely as heavily on framerate as DOOM.
• Switch-specific additions, like motion-controls, are optional but also feel surprisingly fun on the couch.

• And while it is visually reduced compared to last year’s PlayStation 4 and Xbox One ‘Special Edition’ releases, Skyrim still ends up running better than the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions. It also looks better in my experience, especially on the 720p portable screen.
• Mods have been omitted from this version, which may be a dealbreaker for some players, but I still love vanilla Skyrim.
• While it is still clearly a 2011 game, and doesn’t look exactly like a modern Ubisoft or CD Projekt RED open world, Skyrim still feels like a dense, living, breathing and breathtaking experience. On a portable it’s an incredible release, and while side-by-side with a home console version it may be visually reduced, in isolation it feels like the Skyrim I remember, in all it’s glory.

• Skyrim’s story and gameplay have been covered to death, and again, while some may be tired of the Bethesda RPG formula, I still find myself getting lost in this game. Like the visual changes for this version, I feel like it’s up to the person playing to decide whether they want to play more Skyrim or not. Personally, I’m going to spend a lot of time with this game. I love the world-building of Bethesda games and feel like the gameplay of Skyrim still holds up.
• Unless bugs arise much further into the game, this is an excellent release and feels like the Switch’s killer app.
• My only real fear, after losing my PS3 Skyrim save to a broken console, is the Nintendo Switch’s lack of save-data backup. It’s not Bethesda’s fault, but it is still something to keep in mind before sinking a hundred hours into such a game.