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UPDATE: Publisher-cum-developer Starbreeze has confirmed that the Nintendo Switch version of PAYDAY 2 is indeed outdated in terms of updates. In an official response to Polygon, it confirmed the port includes content up until last year's Most Wanted update.

The firm says Nintendo Switch will be supported post-launch with patches to update the experience, but didn't explicitly state whether the handheld entry will be brought in line with other consoles and PC. It said, "to get the game out in early 2018 on Switch meant that our team had to go with the content ported and available at the time of console submission."

PAYDAY 2 is only two days away for those of you living in the EU (it'll launch next week on the 27th for our chums in North America), and with our review set to go live at the same time, we thought we'd cover everything we know when it comes to parity (and disparity) between the version on Switch and those on other consoles.

As a caveat, we're not comparing the iteration on Switch to the PC version, but instead we'll be using the Crimewave Editions - which launched on PS4 and Xbox One in June 2015 - as our measuring stick. So down to the important stuff - how does the handheld-centric version stack up?

In terms of content, the Nintendo Switch edition isn't that much different from the current version available on PS4. There are 58 missions on PS4 right now, and 50 available on Nintendo Switch. However, it should be noted that some of these heists on PS4 require paid-for DLC, while a number of these heists have been included as standard on Switch at launch.

Weapons

Regarding weapons, there's the same number of killing tools available in both the Switch iteration and the one available on other consoles. 

Masks

There are well over 300 masks on PS4, but only 278 on Switch. Many of these locked behind progression tiers and post-game card rewards in both versions, so while one number is higher than the other, that's still a massive selection of identity-hiding accessories packed into the handheld version. 

Playable Characters

There 17 playable characters on Switch and 16 on other consoles, but that additional heister - Joy, the hacker - is a timed exclusive only. She'll eventually come to the other versions of the game.

Technical Updates

The other area where things get a little more complicated - and something that's been getting a lot of traction on Reddit - is where the Nintendo Switch entry stands in terms of technical updates. 

Publisher Starbreeze has officially confirmed the Switch version of the game is around a year behind other platforms and includes content and changes up until last year's Most Wanted update. However, it's still a murky situation as the game includes the John Wick character but no Continental missions. However, it does include the Hotline Miami missions and a tie-in mask. 

The Switch version includes community-made billboard designs, but doesn't include the other content that was patched in when these changes were made on other platforms. It's a complicated situation, to say the least, but at least we have an official line on where the game stands at launch.

It's also important to note that the PS4 and Xbox One versions are behind the PC entry in terms of updates, and the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions haven't been updated since 2015. Issues with update parity have dogged Payday 2 on other platforms for years, so the problem is a frustrating one, but not all that surprising. Starbreeze says it will be supporting Switch with post-launch updates.

Be sure to check out our full review on Friday, for the official verdict on Payday 2 on Switch. And we're always happy to hear though thoughts and takes below.

[source polygon.com]