Summary
The Switch continues its successful run, even though thesales of Nintendo’s handheldhave slowed recently. Critics can point to some popular games not being available on the console as a reason why an upgrade is overdue. One of the most controversial titles excluded from the Switch isPalworld, which resembles the monster-tamingPokémonseries.
The open-worldPalworld,Pokemon Scarlet, andPokemon Violetaren’t as similar as they first seem. That hasn’t prevented speculation that Nintendo would file a lawsuit against Pocketpair for copyright infringements. No court cases are ongoing, but it’s unlikely thatPalworldwill debut anytime soon on the Switch. However, with the Switch 2 expected in 2025, Nintendo could have apopular consolecapable of running the game. What other challenges doesPalworldface in becoming an option for Switch gamers?
Is Palworld a Demanding Game?
Palworld’s cartoonish graphics may fool some gamers into thinking it wouldn’t tax the Nintendo Switch. In reality, the game features expansive, highly detailed worlds and over 135 pals, each with distinctive designs and animations. Bases can be especially problematic, where players may have as many as 20 pals working simultaneously.
For PC gamers, the game’s minimum specs seem modest:
Still, the 16 GB of memory tests the limits ofbudget laptops, and gamers should upgrade their 3.5-inch hard drives toM.2 SSDsto avoid excessive stuttering. Even with the required hardware, achieving higher than 30 fps playing at a 1080p resolution isn’t a given.
To playPalworldat higher graphical settings, the developers recommend PCs meet these benchmarks:
Even meeting these specs, many PC gamers still report less than optimal performance on the early access title. Of course, ifPalworldwere released on the Switch, it would likely be a streamlined version with lower-quality textures and possibly fewer types of pals. For a more reasonable comparison, it’s helpful to consider how the game runs on the Steam Deck.
Steam Deck OLED
The Steam Deck OLED is the perfect handheld gaming console for gamers who wish to take their games on the go. It brings the entire Steam library in a handheld form factor that is ergonomic, grippy, and easy to use. The OLED model is an upgrade to the standard LCD model of the Steam Deck, and it boasts a slightly larger display that is brighter, sharper and refreshes at 90 Hz.
The Steam Deck OLED is more of ahandheld gaming PCthan a conventional portable console, but it shares a few similarities with the Switch OLED. Nintendo’s console has a 7-inch screen at 720p compared to the Steam Deck OLED’s 7.4-inch display at a slightly higher maximum 800p resolution. The Steam Deck can have a 90 Hz refresh rate, but with titles likePalworld,pushing performance past 60 Hz is extremely difficult.
The Steam Deck really differentiates itself from the Switch with its processing power, memory, and storage capabilities. Valve’s handheld includes a much beefier AMD GPU with 16 GB for graphical processing, while the older Switch OLED relies on a custom NVIDIA Tegra mobile chipset. With just 4 GB of memory, the Switch would struggle to handle the diverse textures and models inPalworld.
So, how doesPalworldperform on the Steam Deck with its enhanced capabilities? In brief, it runs well enough, but gamers usually have to make some compromises with its settings. Achieving 60 fps is out of the question, and a steady 30 fps necessitates turning off features like Motion Blur and lowering texture quality. Steam officially labelsPalworldas “playable,” confirming that graphics quality settings must be lowered for acceptable performance.
TheAsus ROG Allymay come the closest if you are trying to find a handheld wherePalworldthrives. Players won’t experience the game at maximum visual quality, but even 1080p gameplay becomes realistic.
Sadly, the Switch is underpowered compared to its modern competition. For further proof that the Switch is overdue for a successor, players only need to look atPokemon ScarletandPokemon Violet. Nintendo’s open-world Pokemon game has suffered from frame rate drops since its release, with only modest improvements after patches.Palworlddevelopers would need to spend time downgrading its graphics, and it likely wouldn’t showcase the detailed and vibrant world seen on other platforms.
What Other Consoles Are Missing Palworld?
Palworldis a massive success despite not being released on several prominent platforms. The original Switch isn’t the only console the game isn’t sold for, with PS5 fans also left envious of Xbox and PC gamers. Surely, the PS5 can runPalworld, which leads to other reasons why Pocketpair is skipping this generation of Nintendo handhelds.
Various theories have been proposed as to why the monster-taming and survival game has not been announced for the PS5.Palworldis an early access title, and some gamers speculate that Sony is less accepting of games still in development. However, the more likely explanation is that the game’s small development team doesn’t have the time or resources to devote to a PS5 or Switch version.
PlayStation 5 Slim Disc Edition
The Sony PlayStation 5’s slim console upgrade offers the same functionality as the launch unit but throws in increased storage (1TB), an additional front USB-C port, and a much more compact frame, making for an ideal console purchase for users still on the fence.Priced $50 more than its digital edition, the disc edition already trades at a $50 discount over MSRP and comes with a Dualsense controller, an HDMI 2.1 cable, an AC power cable, and documentation as part of the package, making for a complete package for gamers looking to hook one up to a monitor or TV out of the box.
When Pocketpair’s title launched in January,Palworldinstantly became one of themost popular Steam games ever, with a high of over two million concurrent players. The relatively unknown Japanese company built the foundation forPalworldwithCraftopiain 2020, a game more focused on survival than catching dynamic species of monsters. Even so, Pocketpair couldn’t predict thePalworldsensation that took the world by storm.
To Pocketpair’s credit, despite limited staff, it released patches in a reasonable timeframe. Despite this, other gamers have complained about a lack of new content not addressed until the recent sizable Sakurajima expansion,boosting decliningPalworldplayer counts. While the developers remain committed to adding more replay value to the game, devoting time to an aging console like the Switch just isn’t practical.
At least for PS5 gamers, the future looks more promising. Leaks and social media posts have suggested that the game will eventually reach Sony’s console. Adding fuel to the fire,Palworldrecently inked a deal with Sony Music Entertainment, which could result in merchandise, an anime, or even a full-length movie. The partnership wouldn’t directly result in a video game, but it seems inevitable thatPalworldmakes it onto the PS5. For the Nintendo Switch, there is little hope, at least until its successor launches in 2025.
What Else is Preventing a Palworld Switch Release?
There are undeniable similarities betweenPalworldand NintendoPokemongames, with capturing colorful monsters or pals a major aspect of both. Since certain game mechanics are nearly identical toPokemontitles, some expected The Pokemon Company tofile a lawsuit against Pocketpair. While TPC released a statement in January about continuously monitoring for copyright infringements, no legal action has yet been taken againstPalworld. With the game releasing more content and reaching wider audiences, any damage to thePokemonbrand is likely now irreparable.
With much focus on whether the designs of its pals are truly original,Palworldis a much different game thanPokemon ScarletandPokemon Violet. Both are open-world adventures with environments filled with strange creatures that take patience and skill to catch. However,Palworldemphasizes base building and gathering items from the wild that ensure survival. At the same time, Nintendo’s most recentPokemonentry features turn-based rather than real-time combat, trading, and other RPG elements that its newer rival lacks.
The Switch also already has other monster-hunting titles that Nintendo could have objected to.Temtemis an obvious example of an MMO where collecting creatures is vital to gameplay. The game is hardly a graphical wonder, but it’s available on nearly every platform, including the current-gen Xbox and Sony consoles. The main difference betweenPalworldand similar games is that they never reached the popularity levels of Pocketpair’s title.
It can be difficult for any new franchise to make it onto the Switch, but the potential sales thatPalworldwould bring should make the effort worthwhile. Another question is how inviting Nintendo would be to a creature-collecting game with the stature ofPalworld.Pokemon Legends: Z-Ais scheduled for release in 2025, with a possibility that it may be a launch title for the Switch 2. Even if the Switch 2 possesses the specs to makePalworldan easier console port, Nintendo may want to avoid the competition, at least for a while.
How the Switch 2 is Ready for Palworld
IfPalworldovercomes the other obstacles and finds itself on a Nintendo handheld, the Switch 2 must be able to run the game smoothly. With confirmation that the new console will appear before the end of March 2025, gamers also have an idea about its hardware. Through a series of leaks, the Switch 2 is believed to have an 8-inch LED screen and an NVIDIA T239 processor. This much more powerful mobile processor, plus 12GB of LPDDR5 memory, should accommodate recent games with demanding visuals.
The Switch 2 should also address its predecessor’s limited 32 or 64 GB of storage by shipping with a 256 GB internal drive. Granted, as a handheld with a dock for TVs, the Switch 2 would be underpowered compared to most gaming PCs. Nevertheless, Pocketpair should find it easier to create a version ofPalworldthat excels both on amobile controllerand on TVs and monitors.
Another aspect of the current Switch that often disappoints is its online capabilities. The Switch suffers from slow download speeds, and added latency also affects the smoothness of competitive multiplayer action in many titles.Pokemon ScarletandPokemon Violethave a multiplayer mode but aren’t built for continuous multiplayer action likePalworld. Players can set up dedicated servers on PCs with all the game’s features and mechanics intact. While not originally available on the console, Xbox users can now utilizededicated servers through a recentPalworldupdate.
Little is known about the Switch 2’s wireless capabilities or potential ethernet port on its dock. Yet, the next Nintendo handheld console could provide an improved multiplayer experience just with added processing power and memory. With online a critical component ofPalworldfor many players, the Switch 2 can allow players to visit and attack bases without the console breaking a sweat.
The Future of Palworld on the Switch
It’s still highly debatable whether gamers will seePalworldon the Switch or Switch 2. Even so, the game’s recent update has generated renewed interest among PC and Xbox players. Playing the game on more portable consoles like the Steam Deck is a less-than-optimal experience. For gamers who aren’t chained to desks, the current Switch is even more ill-equipped to handle the surprisingly demandingPalworld.
Other roadblocksPalworldfaces are related to its similarities to Pokemon games. Some perceive Pocketpair’s creation as not completely original, which isn’t unfounded considering its gameplay mechanics. On the other hand,Palworldoffers base-building and survival game elements that other monster-hunting and training games lack on the Switch. If Nintendo doesn’t see the game as a threat to the Pokemon franchise, it could add diversity to the lineup of future Switch 2 titles.
The Switch 2 should hopefully address the concerns ofPalworlddevelopers about Nintendo’s outdated console. According to leaks and analyst speculation, the new system will launch around March 2025 with improvedNVIDIA-powered graphics. This release window will also give the small Pocketpair team time to expand the game’s reach on more platforms.
More competition and a wider selection of games benefit new and old consoles. Whatever developments happen regardingPalworldand the Switch, Game Rant will keep readers in the loop.
FAQ
Q: Is Palworld Pokémon with guns?
While it’s true that more violent weapons are used inPalworldthan inPokemongames, the titles have many other differences.Palworldis a survival game with base-building and resource gathering, with hunting for pals only one significant part of the experience.
Q: Will the Switch 2 be as powerful as the PS5?
If the Switch 2 uses the rumored NVIDIA T239 mobile processor, its performance will likely be more comparable to that of the PS4 and PS4 Pro. On the other hand, modern features like DLSS could allow a new Switch to match the visuals of more powerful consoles.
