When it comes to third-party games on the Nintendo Switch, a lot of companies call on support studios or specialists such as Panic Button to do the heavy lifting. We recently saw this with Respawn Entertainment's title, Apex Legends.
With the upcoming release Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 , Activision has confirmed with Polygon that the game's original developer Vicarious Visions will be responsible for the Nintendo release - despite the fact it's now merged with Blizzard:
"Asked about the developer that is handling these ports, Activision told Polygon that original developer Vicarious Visions is on the case, even though Activision Blizzard recently merged the studio into Blizzard Entertainment."
Vicarious Visions previously worked on Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, but Spyro Reignited Trilogy developer Toys for Bob handled the Switch release. Vicarious Visions is also helping out Blizzard with its upcoming remake, Diablo II: Resurrected, which is arriving on the Switch and multiple platforms at some point later this year.
In somewhat related news, Tony Hawk pulled off his "last ever" Ollie 540 earlier this week. He's now 52 years old. He first performed this same trick 32 years ago. You can check it out over on his official Twitter account.
Are you glad to hear the original developer of the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 remaster is working on the Switch version? Will you be adding this game to your own collection when it lands? Drop a comment down below.
[source polygon.com, via nintendoeverything.com]
Comments 55
First!Now bow to me peasants......Seriously cant wait for this game.
Absolutely picking this game up. I sunk hours and hours into The Tony Hawk games when I was a kid.
I quite liked Tony Hawk growing up, I spent so many hours sucking at it and never getting that good but enjoying it. If Blizzard wasn't involved I'd probably get this but given Blizzard recently fired people and they're paying the CEO $200,000,000 I dunno.
They're great on PC. Right on!
Considering how well Overwatch runs on the Switch, I'm more than confident that this port would do fine, either at launch or through updates.
So is this a good thing or a bad thing
@ModdedInkling don’t get too excited
Remember Apex Legends???? Handled by Panic Button who ported both DOOM games to switch and people are having mixed opinions on it.
I honestly thought it was pretty decent although turn off cross play
@anoyonmus
That's not a fair comparison. This is a single-player port we're talking about, not a massive, battle royale game on a hardware-intensive game engine. I'm not here to talk about how bad Apex Legends runs on the Switch.
Very rarely do I double dip. As I already have this on PS4, this will be one of those times.
I’ll probably buy this on Switch and Xbox. Already own the PS4 version, but I wanna play portable and in 4k on the series X.
Also I really want a remaster of the 3rd game , so the more copies are sold, the more likely that is!
Fantastic. We loved renting the original games, those were some of the game rentals we played the absolute most within the given week.
@ModdedInkling then why do u bring up overwatch on switch then?
Because that port is meh.
Also I never said Apex on switch isn’t bad but there are some issues on it tho
People probably forget that Vicarious Visions were the Panic Button of the oughties: people doing insane ports to insane consoles.
Like bringing Tony Hawk games to the GameBoy Advance. Ah, Alchemy Engine, how I love thee.
Man, everyone is excited about this game.
My first time with skateboarding games so I am excited to check this game out eventually when it comes out
This is my game of last year alongside Hades. Absolutely superb game and I’m looking forward to getting stuck into the PS5 upgrade.
Can't wait. The game is shaping up to be great on Switch based on the gameplay ign showed last month.
THPS 2, both THUG’s, and American wasteland are some of my favourite gaming experiences, and I absolutely loved them at the time. Then skate absolutely destroyed them for me. Can’t go back to this style of arcade skateboarding anymore. The soundtracks would be the only highlight. Bring on skate 4 and hopefully it gets released on switch or it’s successor.
Well I am definitely going to buy this day one. I sure hope they get a physical edition as well. I already got this on Xbox but there is no way I can turn down a portable version of this game, it's a dream come true.
Might need to get this game when it comes to Switch. Loved the TH games back in the day.
If the physical release includes everything on the cart, then I'm in.
Is this coming out soon?
Can't wait to hear MIDI versions of all the songs
I cannot remember the Soundtracks on these games, but wish they could add songs from Public Domain or Ban This
I can't wait for this, THPS2 was my life and in my opinion the best in the series, killer soundtrack, remember ripping it to my mini disc player to listen to at school! I was holding out for Skater XL but seeing as that won't release on switch for the next 10 years this will trump it I fear. The fact Tony Hawk is in his 50s now is crazy, might get my board out today...
Not sure about day one but I'm definitely getting this, I have good memories playing the first game on my Nintendo 64 back in the day. The superman song still plays on loop in my head sometimes.
Watch this end up getting no physical version in Europe like with Crash 4.
@Grumblevolcano
It would seem that way I can only find a American release for the game on Amazon.com, Play-Asia would appear to be the same. Oh well looks like I'll be importing it.
Hawkies on the Switch...oh yeah day 1 The fact Vicarious Visions is doing it is the Cherry on the Cake.
From the footage I have seen this looks like a great port, the only real downside is it being 30 fps instead of 60 on the other platforms but for the Switch that has become the norm now, I want to be able to play this game in bed so I am ok with it.
@anoyonmus
The Overwatch port isn't meh. I played an entire week when the free trial came around and the gameplay was buttery smooth. A VERY STABLE frame rate and visuals that aren't butchered on handheld/tabletop.
At launch, it was absolute crap with the invisible glitches and the choppy frame rate, but NOW is different. NOW it runs extremely well. It ain't meh if most other Switch ports have a choppy frame rate or butchered resolution.
Apex Legends has issues. I'll wait and see how it plays after a few updates, but it doesn't feel right at all.
Cannot wait for this, will be a day one purchase for sure.
I'm just ready to find out when I can play this game on Switch.
I may get this depending on when it releases and what else I'm already deep into. The OG Tony Hawk 1-3 games absolutely ruled supreme when I was in high school. I burned out by the 3rd game but nothing beats either alone or with friends playing the 1st game after school and all weekend into the late evening hours
Regardless of how great it performs (and most importantly fun) on Switch the typical Nintendo Life readers will tear it apart bit by bit while comparing it to the PS5/XBSX versions. It's a endless cycle on here. Just wait.
This is already my highlight of 2021.
I am worried though because it is Unreal Engine. And apart from very few good UE ports (Hellblade for example) I always dislike the downscaling of the engine on Switch.
@Silly_G same here
I'm more hyped for this game coming to Switch than I was for Crash 4. Just give me a release date already. Until then I have the PS5 and Xbox versions to hold me over.
Double dip for me. Have it on Xbox but playing this outside in portable mode will be the absolute best!
I love this game on PS4 and will most likely buy it on Switch as well... But please announce that THPS3 is coming as DLC!!
Get ready to see the same old crap with this. It's already out on other systems. So it's going to come to Switch, later, and not sell as well on the system.
And people will start saying "Switch owners don't buy 3rd party games!" again. And disregard that the game has been out on other systems for months.
I hope video clips can be recorded in the Switch version. I know some of the heavier games don't allow that, and I'm guessing the reason is there's not enough processing power left over. When I last played Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, I couldn't record video clips on those either. Has that changed?
@DrDaisy I believe it depends on how much RAM the game is using so yes bigger games do not have the ability to record although every game has the ability to capture screenshot..but to answer your question yes it's still the same for Smash, not sure about Bloodstained though (Just finished the prologue level)
@Bizzyb I wonder why that's the case with SSBU. It doesn't seem like much of a RAM hog. What about Alien Isolation and Spyro Reignited Trilogy?
Actually, not every Switch game lets you take screenshots. The appropriately named Lifeless Planet is one such game.
@GrandScribe I think somebody should go Robin Hood on that Blizzard CEO's arse and so that those employees get the money they deserve.
Looking forward to it
Yeah, I may get it again. Has to look decent though
@Yanina what about games made for the switch?like smt 5(when it ever releases).is there still a problem then?just asking because I want smt to be perfect
@Ahlvin23 I guess if it is made for Switch then there should none of that problems appear.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give us a physical, then on it like a shot
@DrDaisy
I’ve heard it has a performance cost since it doesn’t have any dedicated silicon to handle this for free like on other consoles, I’ve noticed some games like AC the performance will randomly tank when you save a video because either the CPU or GPU is having to compress the 30 second buffer. I imagine in Snash’s development they chose to avoid this happening since they implemented a replay system that can be saved to videos.
@Heavyarms55 doesn't have to sell the same numbers as other systems to be a success. The Xbox version sold less than the PS4 version, nobody is saying it didn't sell well. You are crazy if you think this game won't do well on Switch.
problem is to believe in what blizzard activision says , if they are still the same devs why the merger news ? While they fired people compensating them with gift cards and giving it's CEO again massive bonus in pandemic times its messed up. But if it turns outr to be a good port I may think about it.
@SalvorHardin "...since it doesn’t have any dedicated silicon to handle this for free like on other consoles..."
I don't understand that part.
Been waiting for this to come to Switch! Love the old THPS games. Hopefully they remake THPS 3 + 4 as well even after the company merger.
@GrandScribe But he EARNED that $200 Million! 🤪
/S
@DrDaisy Smash has a replay feature so they probably wanted to use that for ppl who want to record.
No idea about Alien Isolation or Spyro. Also I had no idea there was even a game called lifeless planet. But ok yes 99.5% of the software allows for screen captures lol
I expect Switch Pro to address these issues...
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