Bethesda's biggest update yet for DOOM and DOOM II across all platforms – including the Nintendo Switch – has officially gone live. It features add-on support – including John Romero's unofficial fifth episode SIGIL, 60fps support, added aspect ratio options, quick save and load, level select, "plus a ton" of quality of life features and performance optimizations.
Below are the full patch notes from the Bethesda.net forum:
Patch Highlights:
Add-on Support: Add-ons can now be downloaded and played from the main menu. We will continue to add content that is a mixture of official DOOM and DOOM 2 add-ons, as well as some of the best community episodes and megawads released for the original DOOM games. We’ve curated the initial list and will be asking you guys for your picks for best community made wads soon! Check out the FAQ below for more info!
60 FPS Support: For the first time, DOOM and DOOM II now run at 60 FPS on all platforms, instead of 35 FPS as in the original releases.
Added Aspect Ratio Option: Stretches the display vertically to match the original 4:3 aspect ratio that the game was intended to be played in.
Added Quick Save and Load: Pause the game, and press R/R1/RB to immediately save where you are, and unpause the game. Load your quick save by pausing the game and then pressing L/L1/LB.
Added Level Select: Pick an episode, map, and difficulty of your choosing, and immediately play on it without having to clear the previous levels first.
Added Weapon Carousel: You no longer need to cycle through every weapon to get to the one you want. Press Previous or Next Weapon to highlight the weapon you want, and it will swap immediately to the selected gun.
Added Quick Weapon Select: The Directional Pad can now be used to quickly swap between weapons.
- Up: Shotgun and Super Shotgun
- Right: Chaingun
- Down: Rocket Launcher
- Left: Plasma Gun
Added Overall Brightness and Level Brightness: Turn up Overall Brightness to make the colors brighter, but if that isn't enough, you can also raise Level Brightness to change the brightness of the lights in the world.
Added Random SFX Pitch Toggle: Turn off randomized sound pitches during playback, which was a feature present in early versions of the original DOOM release.
New split screen HUD: A minimal HUD will be used when playing split screen multiplayer. The bottom status bar is removed, allowing more room for the game to be displayed in.
Changes:
Changed Health Graphics: The pill has been changed into a green plus, making the graphics closer to their original appearance.
Changed Wolfenstein Secret Level: Enemies in the Wolfenstein level have been restored to the original DOS release. The original textures and enemy audio have been re-added to the level, but with [censored] references removed.
Performance Optimization:
- Several optimizations to DOOM's software renderer have been made in order to better support 60 FPS and increase battery life.
- Game rendering resolution on Nintendo Switch version now displays at 640x400 to support 60 FPS and improved battery life.
- Improved behavior when starting the game out of sleep mode. There still may be cases that cause the game to lock up after awakening.
- Sped up various UI animations to make navigating through menus quicker.
Fixes:
- Fixed an issue from the original DOS release where map objects would not correctly track the player after loading a saved game. This also fixes an occasional crash with loading a save game with an active BFG projectile.
- Fixed an issue where the game would skip ahead several tics after unpausing.
- Fixed an issue where attract mode demos would desync, causing demo playback to deviate from the original DOS release.
- The trophy for "When I'm With You" for beating every level on Nightmare in co-operative mode has been fixed and will now be awarded properly.
The size of the patch in the Switch version of the game is said to be 378 MB. There's also apparently a known issue with a DOOM II achievement:
The DOOM II Achievement/Trophy “The City” (Beat all the city levels - MAPS 12-20) does not unlock when taking the Secret Exit in MAP15: The Industrial Zone in the Single Player Campaign. Workaround - If you're gunning for that trophy, please elect to skip the secret exit in MAP15: The Industrial Zone and you should have no problem getting it after completing MAP20.
Apart from this, there's a full FAQ on the forum about add-ons, and Bethesda says it will release more of them on a "regular basis" over the next few months, so keep an eye out for even more hellish content. To get the rundown about add-ons, check out our existing post.
Will you be returning to Hell to try out this new update? Leave a comment down below.
[source bethesda.net]
Comments 62
I wish more console games would get some kind of add-on support like this.
Great stuff, I know what I'll be playing later today.
An excellent update.
As amazing as this is – especially getting Final Doom for free, the ONLY option I really, really wanted was to remove those Sh*tty borders in favour of good-old-fashioned black bars. The borders are distracting - and take away from the 'pure' Doom experience.
I'm a bit gutted this simple and obvious option isn't there now, and I'm sure they promised this when the update details first came out.
Maybe in a few more months we'll have perfect portable classic Doom.
How do I "IDKFA" on a switch
did they lower the resolution from 720p to 400p? i'm confused about that one honestly.
Still no (optional) gyro support? Disappointing. I would love added motion aiming at least for Doom 3.
@Whatdidyousay the cheats are available if you pause while playing. God and all weapons are the only ones I’ve tried.
@brunojenso
100%
Love the update but please get rid of those borders and for the love of everything great add the option to swap sticks for us southpaws.
Now, if only they could add my HD sound pack to the Add-on menu...
@Kobeskillz The original game was 320x200, so going for 640x400 is actually better than 1280x720 the Switch will still simply upscale it to 720p output or 1080p output docked.
Especially if this means 60fps
Fair play to them as they could have just thrown these out, made a quick buck on nostalgia alone and called it a day and a lot of people would have still been happy.
Almost finished Doom 3 after missing it 15 years ago, should I move on afterwards or go back and get 1 and 2 to relive my childhood?
A great update, back to playing Doom once again it is....
This
is
awesome
Can we get Brutal Doom please?
It's weird that Final DOOM is supported for BOTH games (Final DOOM contains DOOM II assets). Considering that the first two DOOM ports (barring the base IWAD) are virtually identical, I don't get why they didn't just bundle them together and charge the same amount for them collectively as they had for DOOM 3 (AU$15 each), rather than needlessly splitting them and gobbling up double the amount of storage.
can't wait to get doom 64 and add it to the rest of my doom games on the switch.
@TossedLlama : Co-op has been in the ports since release.
Local wireless multiplayer is definitely needed though, as split-screen local multiplayer is hardly ideal for FPSes.
The Quick Saves are a double edged sword. When I was playing around with Doom II, I was playing on one of my older saves and I quick-saved it over my lastest file by accident. Now I'm trudging through three maps to get back to where I was.
Its a great update though. You can select levels now instead of loading saves, you can select fist/brass knuckles when you are equipped with the chainsaw, and the 60 f.p.s. is a game changer.
I updated Doom II and left the original Doom intact for frame rate comparison and wow, it is hard to go back.
I do wish they add the "Secret Is Revealed" text that pops up when you find secret areas back into the games. The option to adjust the H.U.D. and the controls would also be welcome but maybe in the next update.
@DTfeartheBEARD The option would be cool but maybe Bethesda and company don't think it is worth the effort since you can only aim left and right.
Finally downloaded DOOM, now that the performance updates are all live. The game feels great running at 60fps.
1080p 60fps of Doom. This is fantastic. Now can't wait for Doom 64 and after that Doom Eternal.
Waiting for Physical release............
I've been so hyped for this, especially SIGIL. Great job, Bethesda.
Updating tomorrow asap!
That's how you fix a "broken" port. Bravo Bethesda and Nerve.
Does this fix the slowed down music issue, or was that already fixed before? I've been waiting for that to be addressed before dropping the money for these.
@Elvie : The "secret revealed" message was never in the DOS originals, and these ports are intended to reflect the original games, without many of the embellishments that are usually included in source ports.
@SwitchForce : I'm keen on double dipping on a physical release with DOOM, DOOM II, DOOM 3, and DOOM 64 all on a single cart, ideally with the final intended builds (that is, no further updates are planned), also with Final DOOM, the Xbox episode, and SIGIL built into DOOM I and II as well, rather than being separate downloads, as they are official IWADs (well, Bethesda pretty much canonised SIGIL by including it with these ports).
The downside to software updates on Switch is that you're forced to download all updates to date, and not just the difference between the version that is on the cartridge and the latest build.
So, for example, if version 1.0 of DOOM requires a 300MB download to update to version 1.5, and a total file size of 500MB to update to version 2.0, if a hypothetical cartridge included version 1.5, you would still have to download 500MB and not just the 200MB difference between the build on the cartridge (which already includes the 300MB update from version 1.0 to 1.5) and the current version (2.0), hence why I only want Bethesda to issue a cartridge once the ports are complete.
@KitsuneNight
Just wondering if your avatar's character is original art or is it from somewhere?
@LowRyder That was already fixed in a previous update back in September. All the music is exactly how it should be.
@ekwcll I'm the same, Doom 64 and Eternal will mean I have 6x Doom titles. That's a whole row on the All Games list. I shall name it the 'Doom Row'.
@vio Awesome, thanks for letting me know!
Wow, just waiting for a physical collection (The first three) and then I will jump back in to this brilliant series of games
Question - is SIGIL included as a DOOM 1 or DOOM 2 episode or is it available on both?
Hmmm, I might put this on my wish list now.
No sorry, all this free extra content and updates aren't good enough because they haven't included the one tiny feature that, though irrelevant to how the game plays I've decided is the most important thing to me.
They should've put little green sprouts on the top of the tomatoe monsters That's the feature I've always needed!! Until i get my monster sprouts Bethesda can do one!
Nice, I do like the occasional Doom run, I shall give it a blast....
@xanderten50 Sigil is a Doom Episode not compatible with Doom II.
@Fearful-Octopus thank you very much for that - to the eShop!
@xanderten50 Your welcome!👍🏻
@OorWullie All the more reason we need folders. LOL. A Doom folder with 1, 2, 3, 64, 2016 and Eternal would be lovely.
I absolutely do not want the games to play faster. Smoother, yes, but faster, no.
@DTfeartheBEARD Motion controls in Doom 1+2 is pointless, because you can only move sideways.
@Kuruwin
She is a werewolf called Jetta from Fred Perry's Gold Digger.
An American manga influenced comic that's has been running since 1993 .
It tends to go between over the top action and humor, with a lot of fan service.
The series is creeping up to 300.
And you can find the first 199 issues free here
http://antarcticpresslibrary.com/?p=239
The URL is legit. It's been on the inside cover of every Gold Digger since 200.
You can find Jetta in issue 5
The first 50 issues are black and white then it switches to color.
While I love these updates, I'm gonna be a contrarian and say I wish there was an option to go back to 35 FPS. Normally I'm all about 60 FPS, but in the case of DOOM, I think the game loses a bit of its iconic look when played in a faster frame rate.
I also wish there were an option to minimize that status bar in single player. I'd like to be able to see more of my weapon.
That said, everything else about this is fantastic. Bring on DOOM 64.
as much as we crap on Bethesda for Fallout 76 (and rightfully so) at least they are a western third party company doing a good job at supporting the Switch, yes we are still hoping for a real Fallout game and a real Elder Scrolls game to come to Switch but games like Skyrim, Wolfenstein and Doom on Switch Bethesda deserves credit
Alot of added content here. Bravo Bethesda, what with the improved FPS and other tweaks this really is a great update.... If you have put off buying these, now is the time to get them.
@Whatdidyousay LIM
@Silly_G they do have 32gb and 64gb carts now so 300mb update shouldn't be a problem others have come out with DLC update on cart when selling so that isn't a problem.
Soooo where are we supposed to get info on the community picks? Personally Project Brutality(the extremely violent bloody mod that inspired Doom 2016) would be my pick, with the brutal melee's, iron sights, enhanced blood and gore, giving the enemy the bird. It's always been the "go to" mod for me, and shouldnt have any trouble running on switch....
@ilh definitely do I and II.
It's really great. Most levels are all made well and are still fun today. However some levels (especially in II) are needlessly complicated, but what I do is just look on a weeki so I know where the keys are because I'm not going to spend an hour trying to find a stupid key LOL.
One level I hate and I always do got mode on is the last level of Doom II. It sucks.
I already beat both. Probably to the update. I can't wait to try the new content Tonight.
@Giygas_95 I bet they do add in a switch later, I'm all about 60fps, but I do understand the pure look too.
What about cheats for those who just wanna go on a rampage without worrying about health or ammo?
I love that they're doing all these fixes but I'd really like for them to correct the slowed down music if possible.
EDIT: Apparently the music has been fixed? If that's the case, I might have to start diving into these releases, especially when Doom 64 comes out.
@ilh I would say complete them all to get even more hyped for Doom Eternal.
I wish there was online multiplayer
@ilh Both!
Doom 2 is still one of my favorite games.
but the new Doom is pretty brutal and smooth.
Great update, looks like this is a port I can actually recommend now! Fantastic little ports now
Saw some talk in comments of physical edition, I'd be up for that and hope they do physical edition
Man this was long...trying to remember did I get this game?????
Did you guys see they put out on another add-on/mega wad called Double Impact? I haven't played it just yet, but I heard it's really good.
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