Hogwarts Legacy Magics Up July Release Date On Switch, Launches After Other Versions

Looking forward to the game!

@Zuljaras Switch box art in US has a "Download Required" banner on it.
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/hogwarts-legacy-nintendo-switch-nintendo-switch-oled-model-nintendo-switch-lite/6502666.p?skuId=6502666

If it's not cloud the Switch version is going to look god awful and run worse than pokemon gen 9

Me and my sister are both very excited for this game!

As long as they handle the port well then that’s fine by me. Don’t know if I’ll get the game or not by I am certainly intrigued.

To me this is more proof that a Switch Pro / 2 will launch in May. They will probably optimize the game for the new Switch. Either way, I know a few people who will be unhappy to hear this news as they were hoping to play it in early 2023. I will be grabbing the PS5 version first.

...Gameplay of the Switch version would be nice...

I already have it pre- ordered!

...on PS5.

I'm not sure I care. Need t see more

@WhiteTrashGuy The PS4 version has also been delayed. A Switch Pro or Switch 2 isn't happening yet, would be nice yes but if a new Switch was happening it would have been revealed by now.

That July date will get moved again. Just saying.

@WhiteTrashGuy Switch Pro will NEVER happen.

A Switch 2 with the current state of the economy and the still the chip shortages? It's beyond stupid.

The XBOX Series X and PS5 are 2 years old now, and still only barely available in store. And often sold out. Also with price increases on games and hardware (PS5). Releasing new hardware now will alienate 80% of the Switch user base.

Basically it would end worse than the Wii U did.

The best thing Nintendo can do is wait another 1-2 years. And maybe release a successor late 2024.

It will be very interesting to see how this looks on Switch, I expect some serious concessions will have to be made.

@WallyWest
The Switch was first shown with a trailer in October 2016 then a full reveal event in January of 2017. It launched March 3rd, 2017. There is plenty of time for Nintendo to announce it prior to May 2023.

Well, No Man's Sky was ported rather well, so decently porting this one without resorting to a cloud version shouldn't be outside the realm of possibility.

Expect a lot of whining from the Graphics-Are-Everything Crowd though.

I’ll get it for Series X. I don’t want to wait months for what will probably be a lower quality version

Yeah…. This isn’t something I would get on Switch to be honest.

@calbeau Hoping that the game will perform reasonably on the platform with worst technical specs will never be whining.

Either it has to be decent enough, like No Man Sky, FF7 Crisis Core reunion, or other acceptable ports, or not released at all.
Even Sonic Frontiers looked decent enough, even if a massive downgrade.

Situations like Pokemon Scarlet/Violet, is not not acceptable, even if there are those who will drink massive amounts of copium to defend their pre-orders.

Switch only players deserve good versions of games. If they can't be decent, don't release at all.

@WhiteTrashGuy Considering the state of the world right now and how difficult putting out new consoles is i highly doubt its coming, even now its hard to find PS5's and Series X's 2 year on plus the Switch is still selling really well. A Switch Pro is never happening and i expect 2024 will see the Switch 2 or whatever the new Nintendo console is.

@calbeau No Man's Sky is not good on Switch and i've stopped playing that version because of how lackluster the port has proving to be. Its missing key features, the downgraded graphics are too much of a hit, the framerate is rough and its even missing smaller things as well.

All that said comparing NMS to Hogwarts is stupid as its different games and engines. I expect Hogwarts will be a mess on Switch and last gen consoles considering the delays and how it appears to been made for current gen first and last gen second.

@WhiteTrashGuy You call this proof of switch pro? i think that you need more than that to go on to say a new switch is coming out plus i feel like this will be more of a novelty item something we can say that it is a higher quality game and can run on nintendo switch

@WallyWest I agree, nintendo's gonna milk the switch for every thing its got and release a new iteration sometime in 2024-2025

@WhiteTrashGuy The switch pro or whatever the next console will be will probably be announced during E3 2023, with the console either launching Holiday 2023 or Spring 2024

@ketrac Hoping that the game will perform reasonably on the platform with worst technical specs will never be whining.

I didn't say it would. Notice who I said would be whining.

Switch only players deserve good versions of games. If they can't be decent, don't release at all.

That's what I said. "Decently porting."

No Man's Sky, Sonic Frontiers and possibly this is starting to show the absolute limits of a switch port from third party developers.

Why I understand the desire to port a game from an insanely popular franchise to a system well with a massive install base, the developers need to decide ti eitherr create a seperate game for specifically to tailor the system or don't create games for it at all.

All very well wanting a stronger system, but the switch sells well still Japan, whixh is the market Nintendo always targets.

While I don't doubt Nintendo are working on the next console, they will want to balance battery life with processing power and performance.

A sensible approach will be power between zbox one/PS4 and xbox series X/S/PS5. Maybe 1080p unldocked and potentially 4k docked if they can manage it.

@WallyWest No Man's Sky is not good on Switch and i've stopped playing that version because of how lackluster the port has proving to be. Its missing key features, the downgraded graphics are too much of a hit, the framerate is rough and its even missing smaller things as well.

I suppose it depends on your prior experience with it, and with video games in general. It reviewed well enough here and SwitchUp to convince me to give it a go. I've never played NMS anywhere else before (but have been observing it on other platforms) and didn't expect it to be perfect, but more than forty hours later I can say that its merits more than make up for its shortcomings.

All that said comparing NMS to Hogwarts is stupid as its different games and engines.

Nice of you to be smart and pleasant to the opinions of others. I was comparing them based on seemingly impossible porting. Many were skeptical about NMS being decently ported, but it was, so I reckon HL has a chance. Or are you saying that only games of the same genre and engine can be compared?

Really wish Nintendo Life would stop coverage for this game 😔

@WhiteTrashGuy I think you're right. With the new Zelda, and Hogwarts Legacy, I think the Switch successor is arriving this spring. This current hardware has been extended a few years longer than expected. Hopefully, this next iteration has multiple SD card slots, and can upscale current games.
For the folks talking about chip shortages, and a slowing economy, that was an argument a year ago. The playstation 5 is doing serious numbers, and has picked up production. The switch keeps selling too. The economy doesn't seem to be heading into a hard recession, so smaller items like consoles still have strong demand. And the supply issues have improved dramatically. Count on Switch 2 in late spring 2023.

@Cyberbotv2
If COVID never happened I feel like we would have got the Switch 2/Pro this year. Additionally, the games Nintendo has confirmed for the next several months really feel similar to what we got during the end of the WiiU era. I may be wrong, but if Nintendo wants to stay in the wider gaming-community discussion they need to release a more powerful console that is fully backwards compatible with the current generation. Heck, let even the new games run on the OG Switch; similar to the XBOX SERIES X and S. Oh, and GOLDENEYE for Christmas!!!!! (While I seem to be ranting)

Mandatory download? Yeah, screw that.

If they want my money, they'll have to release it on GOG and/or the Switch's successor with the entire game on the cart.

@NintendoLife This is such a heartless statement. It only makes sense that if you are promoting a game that will directly benefit someone who wants to see trans people dead, then trans people are going to speak out against this game - especially on articles promoting the game. You may argue that an article reporting on details about the games release doesn't constitute as promotion, except of course it does. Articles like this are free promotion for a game that's not only riddled with racism and antisemitism, but line the pockets of arguably the most prolific transphobe in the world. Anyone reading about this game should be informed of exactly the kind of person JK Rowling is and what she has done and continues to do that actively harms trans people. If you won't put a disclaimer at the top of your article, then at least let us leave one in the comments.

As a long time Nintendo Life reader I'm just really saddened by the decision made in your statement, along with your continued reporting on the game. I sincerely hope you reevaluate this.

@ZaraQuinn Don’t worry plenty of people and fans care about this game and are interested about the news of Hogwarts Legacy Game.

The delay is disappointing but I haven’t decided where I want to get the game yet. I’m still thinking switch but it will depend on reviews.

Edit: I will let the mods do their job.

On topic: have they shown how vast the world/map will be? I am curious as to how much of a time sink this game has the potential to be. Perhaps they will show that tomorrow.

@ZaraQuinn Wrong section to discuss your points of views about trans. this is a video game delay article. Twitter is a better option for you!

I'm just happy everybody w'd be able to play this in various consoles. I'll play it on my Switch, don't care about the graphics. Just sad the Switch version being so far 😬

@pmdgv agreed, I just hope the delay doesn’t turn into a cancellation. Here’s hoping the release date sticks.

@calbeau what is NMS missing other than multiplayer stuff. I've never played it anywhere outside of the switch. I've also thrown a ton of stuff in the builder and other parts and I've never seen a truly bad frame rate. Thank you in advance

@5th313ment They mentioned settlements were also missing. As a new NMS player, I'm guessing they meant big settlements, since minor settlements exist in the game. Was in one just recently, in fact.

I agree with you. I've only had some minor framerate issues and nothing that makes the game unplayable. I've endured worse throughout my three decades of gaming on various platforms.

I hate the fact that I REALLY want this game, but buying it will directly give money to someone who wants me dead (or at the very least sees me as lesser/invalid) because of how I was born.

To be fair, I guess second hand is an option? Like buying this pre-owned from GAME or CEX will only give the store profit and not the death eater itself

@Untempered-Link Yeah you don't see Kerrang covering Kid Rock
The whole "we recognise that JK Rowling is transphobic, however be quiet" is like... Idk man, It's weak

@calbeau I'm saying just because one game was ported "well" doesn't mean another will, i find the whole "it can run Doom and The Witcher 3" argument stupid as it ignores so much stuff. The fact the PS4 version has seen a delay suggests its rough what doesn't bode well for the Switch.

As for NMS well it was reacted pretty negatively by Digital Foundry and they largely contradicted NL review with evidence. Its not a good port and its very much a case of just because HG could doesn't mean they should have.

@mysuddendoom You own a Switch, a phone and use the internet so you already support people like JK and far more worse people then JK. Also JK never said she wants Trans people gone nor has she supported violence against Trans people.

@WallyWest I'm saying just because one game was ported "well" doesn't mean another will, i find the whole "it can run Doom and The Witcher 3" argument stupid as it ignores so much stuff.

The whole "It Can Run X so Therefore it Can Run Y" argument does work, but only when you consider the caveats. A game being flawlessly ported is definitely possible, but depending on the game some sacrifices must and will be made, and everyone adopting the port should agree with that.

The fact the PS4 version has seen a delay suggests its rough what doesn't bode well for the Switch.

That's a fair assumption, but it should be considered as such until an official statement addressing the matter.

As for NMS well it was reacted pretty negatively by Digital Foundry and they largely contradicted NL review with evidence.

Contrasting views prove a point: Each person holds a bias based on a wide variety of factors, so a game's value can't be judged by a buyer solely on the opinions of others because its the buyer's enjoyment of the product that ultimately counts. They're definitely helpful, but shouldn't be the only deciding point.

Its not a good port

Your view proves my point. You didn't enjoy it, but I did and still do. I read about what was bad about the game and decided those were irrelevant to me, but those same factors were apparently relevant to you.

and its very much a case of just because HG could doesn't mean they should have.

HG wanted to reach the Switch-only player demographic despite the resources and risks involved, so it seems arrogant to say they shouldn't have done so. Their company, their decision.

@ZaraQuinn I sincerely hope you stop spreading misinformation I'm not the biggest fan of jk Rowling but she's never once said she wants trans people dead , not going along with the idea that biological sex is meaningless doesn't equate to 'wanting to see trans people dead' also there's no racism or antisemitism in Harry potter.

@Would_you_kindly Educate yourself.

@ZaraQuinn I suggest you educate yourself or just stay on twitter with the rest of the hive mind

@Would_you_kindly I am very well educated and don't use Twitter, thanks.

@mysuddendoom Agreed. As someone also cursed with a sex that doesnt match her gender identity that's the only valid option I see. If I want to see how the game turns out, it's gonna have to be through ebay, somewhere down the line. i am a fan of lo-fi ports, they're fascinating to me, but I can't feel comfortable lining the pockets of a harmful terf.

Little over an hour away from the gameplay showcase!

@Would_you_kindly totally agree Twitter is a better option to discuss that drama.

I have high hopes for this game but I'm afraid that the current Switch (long live the NS) may not be up to the task and it's a shame. having it on two different systems is impossible to manage unless there is some sort of cross save option (which would be too much of a smart move).