Overwatch is getting a Nintendo Switch port on October 15

[Polycount]

Something to look forward to: The Nintendo Switch was already a compelling console on launch, but now, after several AAA developers have ported their latest titles over to it, it's a much better buy than ever before -- the device is even getting The Witcher 3 this October. However, if RPGs aren't really in your wheelhouse, you may be excited to hear that Blizzard's popular hero shooter 'Overwatch' is coming to the hybrid console as well.

This news was revealed during Nintendo's latest Direct presentation today, and was first reported by Kotaku. The game will inevitably see a few graphical downgrades to operate smoothly on the Switch -- decent FPS is critical in a competitive shooter -- but for the most part, the core Overwatch experience will remain unchanged.

Switch players will have access to the same updates, heroes (including Hammond, the adorable giant hamster in a mechanized ball), maps, and game modes that their PC, PS4, and Xbox One brothers and sisters do. However, they will get one extra feature: gyro controls, which will let you line up the "perfect shot" as McCree, pilot D.Va, or "quickly turn to deflect incoming projectiles" as Genji just by tilting the Switch.

The world needs heroes.

The fight for the future arrives on Nintendo Switch October 15! pic.twitter.com/Bbf5xhaRs6

— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) September 4, 2019

Quickly circling back around to the previously-mentioned graphical downgrades, let's elaborate on those a bit. As you can see in Overwatch's Switch announcement trailer above, the port has muddier textures, reduced antialiasing (resulting in some jagged edges), and what appears to be greatly-reduced shadow quality.

However, Overwatch's cartoony aesthetic lets it look good under almost any conditions, so you probably won't care about the downgrades too much while gaming in your hotel room or on a wifi-equipped train or plane.

The port arrives on October 15 (which, incidentally, is the same day The Witcher 3's Switch version arrives), but it doesn't appear to be available for pre-order just yet. When it is, though, you'll get access to 15 bundled character skins, and three months of free Nintendo Switch Online membership.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/81755-overwatch-getting-nintendo-switch-port-october-15.html

 

[Burty117]

Do that many people actually play Overwatch on console? I thought it was more of a PC Crowd thing?

 

[Kibaruk]

Do that many people actually play Overwatch on console? I thought it was more of a PC Crowd thing?

Console peasants will be console peasants /s

Shooters are always better appreciated on the PC but some have made quite an impact on consoles. There is no talk about cross-play, and I certainly do hope it's not more expensive just because of the Nintendo licensing scheme.

PS: Before you jump onto the console peasant thing, I enjoy my Switch dearly I would love not having to re-purchase games to play them on the go though.

 

[Panda218]

Do that many people actually play Overwatch on console? I thought it was more of a PC Crowd thing?

I always found OW to be geared towards console plebs. PC players had been playing TF2 for almost a decade when OW came out, so it was really nothing new.

 

[Kibaruk]

I always found OW to be geared towards console plebs. PC players had been playing TF2 for almost a decade when OW came out, so it was really nothing new.

Mmmm although TF2 has been for over a decade, I think it has 2 things in favour, 1. it's free and 2. you can get money out of it through items (Yes, it's not like a key will drop once every month... but still, you can get lucky and grab an expensive hat, if they are still a thing...).

Neither of those 2 things have any weight against OW. I'll even raise you this, esport prizes, if only console plebs are playing it... the pro's are not console players :wink:
https://www.esportsearnings.com/leagues/493-overwatch-league
https://www.esportsearnings.com/games/335-team-fortress-2

 

[Panda218]

Mmmm although TF2 has been for over a decade, I think it has 2 things in favour, 1. it's free and 2. you can get money out of it through items (Yes, it's not like a key will drop once every month... but still, you can get lucky and grab an expensive hat, if they are still a thing...).

Neither of those 2 things have any weight against OW. I'll even raise you this, esport prizes, if only console plebs are playing it... the pro's are not console players :wink:
https://www.esportsearnings.com/leagues/493-overwatch-league
https://www.esportsearnings.com/games/335-team-fortress-2

That's very true! I completely forgot that TF2 turned into a F2P item store, I had quit when they just rolled out the extra items for the characters. You know, I needed to focus on my esports career in SC2. I failed everyone...

And neither TF2 or OW hold a candle to Dota 2

 

[Burty117]

I always found OW to be geared towards console plebs. PC players had been playing TF2 for almost a decade when OW came out, so it was really nothing new.

Gotta disagree there cap. I went to Insomnia 65 and did BYOC. I was there for most the tournaments and I gotta say, Overwatch is definitely, 1000x more popular on PC.

The only thing the (admittedly few) console gamers played was CoD or Fifa...
Although the Super Smash Bro's Tournament area was pretty good