Surprise, surprise. The recent launch of Batman: Arkham Trilogy on the Nintendo Switch has ignited a flurry of negative reactions from gamers and industry analysts alike, with many expressing concerns over the performance of the games, particularly Batman: Arkham Knight, on Nintendo’s hybrid console.
This surprising release, which includes Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, and Batman: Arkham Knight, has been met with mostly negative responses, highlighting the challenges of adapting graphically intensive games to the less powerful Switch hardware.
Comic book fans have kept a close eye on the trilogy’s journey to the third-best-selling video game console of all time. The original trio of games, in particular, enjoyed much critical acclaim on last-gen platforms. Developed by Rocksteady Studios, the Batman Arkham series set a high standard in the superhero game genre. However, the transition to a new but weaker platform like the Switch, a console celebrated for its portability rather than its processing power, has raised valid questions about performance compromises.
YouTube channel Cycu1’s comparison video between the Switch and PS4 versions running on PS5 showcases noticeable differences. The Switch version, although commendable for its efforts, falls short in detail compared to the PS4 port. It’s worth noting, however, that many viewers have expressed a more positive outlook, appreciating the effort to port such a graphically demanding game like Arkham Knight to the Switch’s modest hardware. Still, everyone’s not all praises for the Switch port. Although it gets a pass for trying, its terrible performance is inexcusable. Similar to the original launch version of Batman Arkham: Knight on pretty much every platform, the game’s ambitious open-world design and the Batmobile are proving to be quite challenging. Subsequent reports reveal alarming frame rate drops, leading to some players calling the game “unplayable” on the Switch.
The frame rate issues extend beyond Arkham Knight. While Batman: Arkham Asylum maintains relative stability, it too experiences drops during combat scenes. Batman: Arkham City fares better, with a more consistent performance that might appeal to those willing to overlook the trilogy’s broader issues.
The concerns are not limited to frame rate drops. The Switch version exhibits a marked graphical downgrade, especially in Arkham Knight, with less detailed lighting and character models. This is a common trade-off in porting games to the Switch but can impact the overall gaming experience, especially for titles known for their visual fidelity.
The trilogy’s release on the Switch was delayed from its original October 13 launch date to December 1, citing the need for extra time to deliver the best possible experience. This delay set high expectations for the performance, which, as per the early reviews, might not have been entirely met.
The porting of the trilogy was handled by Turn Me Up Games, known for their work on other Switch adaptations like It Takes Two and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1+2. Their track record of successful ports raised hopes for the Batman: Arkham Trilogy. However, the unique challenges posed by the Arkham games, particularly the technically demanding Arkham Knight, have brought to light the limitations of the Switch hardware.
Perhaps this is time to call curtains on the Switch, which, despite punching well above its hardware’s weight for years, is struggling to run games, more often than not. From Pokemon Scarlet and Violet to Mortal Kombat 1, the Switch is having a hard time keeping up with both native titles and ports.
Despite the calls for Nintendo to “replace” the Switch, it remains unclear when its successor is coming.
While Batman: Arkham Trilogy is performing terribly on the Nintendo Switch now, Rocksteady Studios’ history with Batman: Arkham Knight suggests that things are going to get better. Unfortunately, the studio is currently busy working on Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, which is finally coming out in February 24. It might be a while before Batman: Arkham Trilogy gets the necessary performance updates for its Switch port.
