Earlier this week the long-rumoured patch for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt on Switch dropped and delivered some significant visual upgrades and PC-like options to tweak the graphical experience to your liking. The port was remarkable when it first launched last year, despite its undeniably blurry presentation compared to versions of the game on other platforms, but that was a small price to pay to have the option of playing this sprawling, epic action-RPG on a portable system. This latest update, though, takes the Switch port to another level entirely.
The real beauty of patch 3.6 is that any Switch owner with a decent PC can now get the best of both worlds: an excellent portable experience... and the full-fat 1080p (or higher) deal when they get home
While the performance and visual bumps are very welcome and feel like you've had a cataract removed compared to the pre-patch experience, the update also includes PC cross-save functionality with the Steam and GOG versions of Witcher 3. Visual bells and whistles aside, it's this which is arguably the real show-stopper here and something which we believe points the way forward for Switch ports in the future, especially in light of the coming next-gen consoles from Microsoft and Sony.
Since the system's launch we've seen some truly unexpected arrivals on Nintendo's console, and last year alone was filled not only with great games, but ports that captured them at their very best in handheld form. Playing titles like Cuphead, Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice and Feral Interactive's Alien: Isolation on Switch was an absolute joy, and none of them felt like compromised, downgraded versions of the 'proper' game.
Starting with Panic Button's port of DOOM, we've enjoyed an ever-growing array of 'impossible' ports - games which nobody thought could run acceptably on Switch's mobile chipset - and each one has spurred on other developers in a glorious porting 'arms race' to the benefit of Nintendo gamers who couldn't have imagined anything like this back when Switch was still known as 'NX'. Every time we think 'that's it, the Switch can't handle more than this' the next miracle arrives to prove us wrong. Of course, we've had some clunkers, but the overall quality has been astonishingly high.
That said, even the very best Switch ports have their limitations and with games like DOOM, Wolfenstein II and Witcher 3 - however miraculous the effort - Nintendo gamers with access to other platforms have to make a hard decision: Do I make 'the Switch sacrifice'? We coined this term recently in reference to giving up sexier visuals and performance available elsewhere for the portability and convenience of Switch. We often pay a premium for the handheld version, too.
Overall, more often than not it's a sacrifice we're willing to make, but when you glimpse Geralt riding his steed through lush, crisp glades on other platforms and see the magnificent vistas and silky smooth frame rates possible on non-portable hardware, it's only natural to feel a little jealous. Rationally, we're astonished that the Switch version functions at all, but being the fallible irrational beings we are, we're also conscious we could be having it better elsewhere.
Thankfully, now Switch owners have another option when it comes to Witcher 3. The real beauty of patch 3.6 is that any Switch owner with a decent PC can now get the best of both worlds: an excellent portable experience they can throw in their bag when they leave the house and the full-fat 1080p (or higher) deal then they get home. Yes, it entails buying two different copies of the game, but the niggling 'Switch sacrifice' is eliminated for PC owners wanting the best resolutions and frame rates when they're not on the bus or trapped in the New Forest on a caravan holiday. Everyone's a winner.
Well, not quite everyone. Xbox and PS4 owners won't get the benefits of cross-saves with Switch, and in an ideal world you'd be able to pick up where you left off regardless of platform. We're not there yet, but in terms of convenience and functionality, Saber Interactive has once again raised the bar for other port specialists bringing games to Switch. It's not the first game on the system to do this - Divinity: Original Sin 2 implements PC cross-saves beautifully, for example, and games like Fortnite which save progress to servers rather than your console have had that cross-platform progression baked-in for ages - but it's another valuable feature that adds to the accesibility of Nintendo's console.
And those without a mighty rig and who couldn't care less about 4K or 60fps still get a perfectly wonderful experience on Switch, regardless. Patch 3.6's visual improvements are pretty special in their own right (and even convinced this writer to add Witcher 3 to his substantial backlog while the game is still part of the Switch eShop sale), but the fact that PC players have been given the cross-save option impresses the heck out of us. For epic RPGs it makes eminent sense and it's something we'd love to see feature in games like The Outer Worlds and Panic Button's upcoming DOOM Eternal, too - in fact, any game where there's a noticeably better experience available on PC.
With rival next-gen consoles releasing before the end of the year, more than ever Nintendo will need to play every single ace up its sleeve to demonstrate the benefits of its diminutive hybrid console against more powerful alternatives on the horizon. Appealing to Nintendo gamers is one thing, but maintaining Switch's relevance with cross-platform players is also important. Cross-save functionality is a significant trump card with a high convenience value, and third-parties should be looking to Saber's example in the coming year and beyond.
What are your impressions of The Witcher 3's version 3.6 Switch update? What visual settings have you settled on? Let us know your thoughts on cross-saves, anti-aliasing and bloom below.
Comments 62
Great new! Switch is here to stay!
Switch and PC is the best combo. PC does everything WAY better than Sony and Xbox, plus PC can do so much more and is cheaper in the long run. Then you have Switch which gives you the best games ever made from the greatest developers of all time, plus gaming on the go.
This game has really set the standards for what can be accomplished on the Switch's hardware, while I don't expect every company to put this much effort in porting a game because every company is different in terms of budget and so on this accomplishment does show what is possible with enough work.
@erv it was still succesful even with the blurry visuals. This is merely the cherry on top of it all. Your opinion is invalid.🍿
PC looks better than Switch even with all settings set to their lowest in 720p, and definitely is smoother in terms of FPS, yet I still find myself playing TW3 more on my Switch. The graphics on the Switch make me appreciate the PC graphics but the heart of the game, the amazing storytelling, is still there and it doesn't look horrible on the Switch, even in handheld mode. The Switch just has this kind of magical appeal that can't be explained.
Ended up getting Slay the Spire on Steam a few weeks back for a very good price. Now that I'm completely, hopelessly hooked I would happily double dip on Switch if cross-save was an option.
As someone who’s looking to ditch Sony/MS Consoles and partner a good PC with the Switch I wholeheartedly agree with this. Fantastic idea. More please! 😉
Witcher 3 is on my ‘to play list’ - I still cannot believe it is on a Nintendo system. It’s games like this that is fast making the Switch my possible all time favourite platform.
Everyone freaking out about an update yet the same people saying they are against the idea of a switch pro.
@erv I mean, art style is more important than graphics and performance so long as those are good enough to not impair gameplay. But best of both worlds is even better, y'know?
Not had chance to try the new update and cross save... Can you use the cheat for example increase money to 999999999 ... And transfer to switch... Asking for friend
It's such a cracker of a console, I haven't touched my PS4 in the 5 months I've owned the Switch. Love the 3.6 update for the Witcher 3, just in time me to head back and play the DLCs after taking a short break to play Astral Chain.
For any lengthy game, like an adventure or RPG, I would definitely pickup a PC copy in a Steam sale if it had cross save. A lot of 3rd party Switch games like The Witcher 3, Pillars of Eternity, Divinity: Original Sin 2 and Baldur's Gate can be had for under £10 on PC in a sale. I'd love PS4/Xbone/Switch cross save too!
@erv exactly correct. The same community who doesn't want a switch pro but go nuts over a patch. None of it makes sense. When Mario Kart and smash are 1080p 60fps man these graphics are amazing and 60fps or nothing. Then all these other Nintendo games come out at 900p or 720p or 30fps and "it's good enough, I'm not a graphics whore."
Too bad most of the other developers will not follow this standard.
They will continue to spew half-ready games and put them half on the cartridge and the rest as a download. 'Cough' Bethesda! 'Cough'
This is the first game I’ve triple dipped to buy. Originally bought it on a Steam sale, but quickly found my PC wasn’t good enough. Then picked it up for PS4 and completed the main game. Currently playing through the DLC on the Switch. Absolutely love this game. Managed to get it on sale each time, goes to show reasonable pricing for games can ultimately be more profitable for developers.
Don't care about cross save support, but seeing what Witcher 3 can do, it is about time we get Batman Arkham Collection, Borderlands games and GTA5 (just to name a few).
@Profondo Why attack someone for having a pro-nintendo opinion on a nintendo centric message board? It was such an innocent comment. Don't understand why you had to be the warrior to try to put them in their place. Next time just let it go bud. No sense in getting all ruffled over a comment like that.
I'm way deep in the game and its expansions on PC, but this cross save makes me think of picking it on Switch, if only to play one of my favorite games ever handheld!
@sixrings When Mario Kart and smash are 1080p 60fps man these graphics are amazing and 60fps or nothing. Then all these other Nintendo games come out at 900p or 720p or 30fps and "it's good enough, I'm not a graphics whore."
And what's wrong with being content with decent experiences and be happy with better experiences? And your comment on Switch Pro doesn't make sense either. Nobody is holding Nintendo at gunpoint to not release a Switch Pro. Those who have the regular Switch are just scared of being left out. Even then, there is not a huge uproar at these Pro rumors. Nintendo acknowledges this fact and hence is cautious. Heck, even Microsoft is playing it cautious with all games to be made to run on original Xbox Ones.
@darksquall
Likewise man. I own PS4 and XboxX but since I've got the switch both are back in the box.
I mean, yes, they have some exclusive but for the cross platform it's switch all day long.
Cooking, couch, toilet time it's with me, it's amazing to have a game like the Witcher on the go, and after the update, if you can stand the jaggy lines, it looks incredibly crisp.
I'm now travelling for work and I'm having an amazing time with it. Can you do it with Sony and Microsoft? No. Or not yet
@sixrings
People are against the Switch Pro? That's news to me.
Nintendo started the trend of making more powerful revisions of existing hardware (GameBoy Color, NDSi, New 3DS) and even went so far as to make some games exclusive to the more powerful revisions, so I'd think the Nintendo audience is absolutely okay with a Switch Pro and even the occasional Switch Pro exclusive games.
The only thing I think people would be against is if Nintendo released the Switch Pro unusually early in the life of the Switch (like in 2018 rather than 2021+)
Might make me play it again if it cross saved with ps4. Played it a couple of years back and got stuck, I think it was a witch, was about 20 hours in and didn't love it enough to start over😥
"@westman98 Would you be interested in upgrading your standard Switch if a 'Pro' model were to launch in 2020? (8,024 votes)
Definitely - I need the latest and greatest!
34%
Possibly - it would depend on features and price
52%
Nope, I'm happy with my OG Switch - I'll wait for the next generation proper
14%"
That's 14% who are not interested and 52% maybe based on features and price. So I'm going to say 66% are pretending They don't care but then get excited over this patch.
I double-dipped like 7 times with the PC and the Switch. As long as the price is right, why now. And with cross-save function gradually rolling out to the ports, what a nice way to clear the game backlog.
@Profondo Switch is great, better than X-box at the very least
@sixrings
For starters, Nintendo Life users != All Switch users.
Second of all, if we pretend that Nintendo Life users = All Switch users, then that means 34% of players will buy a Switch Pro no matter what, and another 52% of players will buy a Switch Pro if it is appropriately built and priced. That's 86% of players in favor of a Switch Pro.
@westman98 ign ran a poll too and Nintendo fans said they didn't want a pro this year. No poll is going to include everyone. That's silly to think that they're aren't going to be exceptions. It doesn't change that in these threads the "good enough" comments are prevalent and now we have a patch and people are acting like it's a game changer. You can't have it both ways. Well I guess you can if you're a Nintendo apologist.
@sixrings if you want a PS4, get a PS4. I'm fine with my Switch.
@westman98 https://youtu.be/AAqaDI0vCuw
@Gamesurfer I'll be able to play Nintendo first party games in 1080p 60fps on a PlayStation? That's news to me.
It is a nice option to have. Not everyone would double dip, but it is great they have put in the effort. I know I would if there was cross-save with the PS4 version.
@sixrings you don't need a 1080p 60fps capable console to run Nintendo exclusives. But most games that run on a Switch are also available for the PS4 Pro. If somebody chooses to get a Switch then he probably isn't interested in those specs.
@sixrings
“I'll be able to play Nintendo first party games in 1080p 60fps on a PlayStation? That's news to me.”
If you just want Nintendo games at 1080p/60fps, Why have you complained about third party games being 720p such as Metro Redux and Samurai Showdown (that you would’ve bought if “it was 1080p” which it already is on Xbox and PS4)?
You frequently complain about the inconsistency of Nintendo fans, because we’re not all a hive mind (imagine that!). But, you frequently flip flop between wanting a Switch Pro , so you can have flawless third party ports and just wanting to play my Nintendo games at 1080p when someone asks you, “why not just buy it on PS”.
@Toy_Link I never flip flop between wanting a pro. Give me one yesterday.
Listen I'm a Nintendo fan. I did previously own xbox and PlayStation. But I sold them since I realized I'm more often then not wanting to play only Nintendo exclusives. If all of the exclusives were as well handled as Mario Kart and smash there wouldn't be an issue. But there not. They range in resolution and fps. As for complaining in the third party thread. I'm complaining because people here are acting like a patch is a game changer while some of the same people complain about the idea of a pro. A pro would upgrade these visuals much more than a patch. I can't understand how we aren't all asking for a pro if both first party and third party games are suffering.
It's 2020.... The other kids are about to do 8k. Even if you think no they're only going to do 4k. Nintendo switch games docked are often running minus 1080p. That shouldn't be acceptable to first or third party gamer.
@Gamesurfer I chose a switch not because it's portable, not because I'm ok with inferior graphics but because I want Nintendo games.
Would I pay more to play Nintendo games with better graphics and frame rate. Yes.
I bought a Switch because i want to play my favorite third party games on the go. I don't care if i can buy them at a cheaper price on PC.
It's neat, but I wouldn't double dip since I don't play portably.
Still haven't played Witcher 3, but when I do it'll be on another platform. Probably PS4.
@sixrings
The winner of that IGN poll was "No, Nintendo doesn't need to compete in the next-gen race. The Switch is unique and wonderful." Which is true - Nintendo has no interest in competing with Sony/Microsoft, and a Switch Pro will never be as powerful as the PS5/XBSX no matter what.
Nowhere did the poll say "Switch Pro is a horrible idea and I wish Nintendo doesn't make one."
With regards to the Witcher 3 patch, it is objectively a major patch that enhances the game experience. People are allowed to appreciate what the patch does without being labeled a fanboy.
@westman98 alright. The best Nintendo fans are objective Good night.
I own it on my Ps4. But I want to be able to play it anywhere, Its been years since I even played it. Im gonna buy after I am through the games I have now.
@sixrings
I mean, you have yet to provide any evidence to the contrary as to why the patch isn't an objective improvement, so I'll just assume you're a console war troll who's here to stoke the flames.
@westman98
Do not agree honestly. The only successful one was the game boy colour because of the HUGE difference from the original bulky boy (colours). The dsi despite having a considerable boost of ram, had the same game as the vanilla version. The new 3ds had an amazingly improved 3d effect and again more ram, still all we have got with it was the snes games and xenoblade. We do need a mid gen, more capable to cope with the new Sony's and Microsoft consoles, but not like the previous Nintendo's mid gens. If you know what I mean.
Weird poll to be honest, I don’t understand why cross-save is such a revolutionary feature. I’m more impressed that they added the post processing options since those really change how the game looks. Frankly, I believe the amount of people that own a PC-Switch combo is pretty low, whereas the people who own a PS4/XBONE-Switch combo is much higher and since PC developed exclusive games are a minority, I don’t think we’ll see this feature implemented in many games. The Witcher 3 is really becoming an anomaly in regards of what’s being done with it on Switch and I applaud both CDPR and Saber Interactive for doing it, however gaming companies just would rather not put any effort on the console, the games just come out and they are what they are, it’s very uncommon to see support beyond the first couple of months.
@westman98 I think Nintendo life should do a who is the biggest nintendolife Nintendo fan. Then they can allow us to upload our collections. I must like buying a crap load of Nintendo stuff for a troll. I'm not trying to insult you but I doubt you own a 100th of the Nintendo stuff I do. I'm not a troll but I'm not a fanboy. Nintendo is great at making games but they are behind the times in so many things including graphics.
I feel like the more Nintendo align themselves with pc, the more it will be able to attract new customers. I just bought The Witcher 3 on Switch for this update alone. Hoping more games come with cross save.
@Saint_Link - "Weird poll to be honest, I don’t understand why cross-save is such a revolutionary feature."
As far as the Switch goes, it means if you already have the game on PC, you can not only keep your progress when playing the Switch version on the go, but can freely interchange between the Switch and PC depending on the situation, essentially allowing you to take advantage of the benefits of both PC (graphics) and Switch (portability) versions, albeit not at the same time. The only downsides to this would be having to buy a second copy on Switch, and (likely) not being able to have mods present on the Switch version.
@Agramonte You're doing it wrong.
I fully support this and think it's amazing. I don't care hugely about graphics and whatnot, but there are certain games that I would like to see the 'full' beauty of. I love my Switch and PC, so this is a godsend, in my view. Would be nice if this could be patched in for DQXI but I doubt it! There are enough Steam sales and Switch sales that I don't have to blow full price on both versions.
@Sunanootoko
I don't know whether Nintendo will make Switch Pro exclusives, but I'm confident one is in production because Nintendo likes money and they know their hardcore fans will buy one.
@sixrings
Again, you have yet to rebuke any of my points and have resorted to insinuating that I'm a mindless fanboy, so if you aren't a console war troll, then you certainly act like one.
@sixrings You’re comparing apples to oranges.
Different games, with different art styles will obviously have different hardware requirements.
Mario Kart at 30fps would be unacceptable. Why? Because the hardware can handle more than that.
Other games with more complex and demanding graphics will obviously run worse on that same hardware.
So you’re getting it all wrong. It’s not about caring or not about graphics, it’s about understanding and accepting the limitations of the hardware.
@Sawdy I once made a pro Nintendo comment on this Ninteno site and got bashed by a legion of Sony fanboys. Stupid isn't it?
Good god...
People are acting like the Witcher 3 was exclusively made for the switch...
I played the game on PC on day 1 of release, clocked the game 3 times, played it on switch also and clocked it once more, is there anything else exclusive? Completed the none indie games (screw indie games, played most of them on pc 50 years ago).
Nintendo seriously has fallen from my eyes, I honestly don't feel like continuing with nintendo ever again, they need more exclusive games, no more ports, or just buy a ps4 and have 100% better graphics and chill.
LOL at some of these comments...
I think people are just impressed at how The Witcher 3 turned out on Switch. Remember how the majority of people were saying how this could never run on Switch at all? Not to say people were wrong for thinking that, given how it's a pretty demanding game and most of us aren't that knowledgeable of how porting works and the Switch's true potential.
However, fast forward to the present and we got a pretty darn solid Witcher 3 port and it's running on mobile hardware no less. I just think the people that are praising this patch are just impressed with how this game turned out on Switch, just my take though.
@Sunanootoko The DSi had a sizeable amount of DSiWare. It could also use its additional horsepower to run DS games better if they were 'DSi enhanced'. With recent hacks, it can even use the additional horsepower to improve performance in all DS games, even if they weren't 'DSi enhanced'. Same thing for the New 3DS, it drastically improved performance in many games, and again if you hack it you can force this improved performance on every game (although a handful will crash if you do so, because they were built very specifically around the old 3DS's limitations).
@maruse but I understand the graphics are different and we shouldn't expect 1080p 60fps in this case. I am just noting that people are going wild about a patch but some of the same people say they don't want a switch pro.
Also when I do say that I expect 1080p 60fps Nintendo first party games I am inevitably met with dismissive comments saying "even the ps4 doesn't run 1080p 60fps in all of their games." I try to note as you did that those games which are not 1080p 60fps are games with different more realistic art styles such as red dead or say cyberpunk. (I'm just guessing without looking up the resolutions) however all the games like crash which I believe is comparable in art style are running significantly better on ps4 hardware.
@Sawdy because he's a troll? and he's not a child he's an adult. On another post he claims "Nintendo is the gods of gaming"!!, on another that a 7 day Nintendo online trial is "best deal ever". He then claims Sony are "Evil" that and his other posts exclude him from any serious debate or discussion about video games!. He's an arse to put it bluntly!
@nintendoknife
Ok not talking about hacking as for the switch I'm not interested. But my wife and I have vanilla ds and dsi as the regular 3ds and the new. Performance wise they are really really close. Maybe faster loading times and some minor improvements, that's it. What I wanted to point out is that the ds family hardware revisions had a lot of horsepower that was left more or less unused. If Nintendo want to do the same they'll better don't at all. If they'll do an improved version with better resolution and fps with backward compatibility without patches, will be day one. I'm doubtful since this has never been their style.
@sixrings "...pro would upgrade these visuals much more than a patch."
A Pro would also cost several hundred dollars and would require devs to have to build a game over potentially four different Switch power profiles. A patch is free for console owners and clearly is able to deliver an incredible amount of improvement
@Indielink a pro would upgrade hundreds of games. That's worth hundreds of dollars. I have a real job.
can someone help me to tag the Ark: Survival Switch developer, they need to read this.
@sixrings Good for you. I do too. And I would be first in line for a Pro. But at best it would only be a modest upgrade due to size and heat constraints. And devs would STILL have to go back and patch the games for you to get any improvement.
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