It’s been three years since miHoYo released the Switch trailer for Genshin Impact. Is 2023 the year we’ll be getting the much-awaited port?
Genshin Impact is already available to download on PC, PlayStation consoles, and mobile. Meanwhile, we still don’t have any news about its release for the Nintendo Switch. Despite receiving a trailer for the Switch version, it’s been years since we’ve heard anything concrete about Genshin Impact coming to Nintendo’s latest console.
Since its release in 2020, Genshin Impact has become a massive hit worldwide. It netted over $1 billion during its first year, and its pandemic-era debut allowed it to gain a base of gamers looking to connect digitally with their Genshin Impact accounts. Genshin Impact is one of the most accessible games you can play to date—except for those with only a Nintendo Switch.
It’s Been Three Years
It’s been three years since miHoYo released their official trailer for Genshin Impact on the Nintendo Switch. The trailer revealed that the hit game is coming to the hybrid console soon, but we’re still waiting for the port to become a reality three years later.
Having Genshin Impact on the Nintendo Switch would be a dream come true for many gamers, and we wouldn’t be surprised if it blossoms into a dedicated fanbase once it’s out. With cross-save, cross-play, and Genshin trading available for the game, players can experience the world of Teyvat however they want. Plus, with the Nintendo Switch port, you can play in handheld or docked mode—the best of both worlds. Gone are the days when you were only stuck with a tiny mobile screen or a TV set to play games. If Genshin Impact were to come to the Nintendo Switch, players could take their adventure at home or on the go.
“In Development”
MiHoYo claims that Genshin Impact for the Switch is “currently in development,” but we have yet to see any trace of what they’re working on. There are several reasons for this—some of which could even lead to the game skipping Nintendo’s current hardware entirely. Nonetheless, you can’t deny that the Switch is the perfect home for Genshin Impact, and we’re at that point now that it should be available on it.
Reasons for the Delay
We’re given no official reason why Genshin Impact still isn’t available to play on the Nintendo Switch, but we have some speculations. For one, it’s most likely due to the hardware. The Switch’s concept is unique; it’s a home console/handheld hybrid that offers two types of “gaming.” However, this setting makes the Switch’s hardware weaker compared to newer technology. It’s already weaker when pitted against the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles. It will lose the competition if we compare it to the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
As a result, any new games developed with the Nintendo Switch ever since its launch run the risk of being too powerful or graphically intensive for it. Sure, Genshin Impact runs perfectly well on iOS devices, but it uses a version of the game that’s perfectly tailored to work there. With that in mind, the Switch version should be made specifically for its hardware. That’s either than done, though.
When Genshin Impact was released on the PlayStation 4, it initially looked and ran horrendously. If we consider the Switch edition, it may need to be running at a higher level for the developers to feel at ease releasing it, which is impossible considering the hybrid console’s hardware.
What Makes the Nintendo Switch Perfect for Genshin Impact?
The Nintendo Switch is a JRPG machine, making it logically sound for Genshin Impact to be on it. The Switch has essentially replaced Sony’s PlayStation Vita (long live Vita Island) as the home for quirky RPGs that would otherwise be overlooked. This is why we have timed Switch exclusives, such as Live a Live and Octopath Traveler. Likewise, the latest Shin Megami Tensei game—SMT V—is a Switch exclusive, despite Shin Megami Tensei III being made available for the PlayStation. Let’s not forget the Monster Hunter titles (except for Monster Hunter World) that have felt right at home on Nintendo’s consoles since the 3DS era.
Doubling Down On the Objective
We still don’t have a release date for Genshin Impact on the Switch, but on May 2022, miHoYo stated they’ve been doubling down on their intent to bring their game to the platform. In an interview with GoNintendo, miHoYo claimed that the version is still in development and will release more information once they’ve made more progress.
It’s almost been a year since they released that statement, so we might get some news about the Switch port sooner or later. Hopefully, players can log in to their Genshin Impact accounts when they boot up their Nintendo Switch before 2023 ends.