On October 11, a player sparked heated discussions by sharing videos and images of Genshin Impact running on the Nintendo Switch. According to the poster, the game’s optimization for the Switch has been progressing slowly, and the player resorted to using an Android emulator to achieve compatibility. However, despite this workaround, the overall performance still lags behind this year’s flagship Android smartphones.
As one of the most popular mobile games in recent years, Genshin Impact has gained global acclaim for its unique art style and stunning visual effects. It is available on multiple platforms, including PC, PS4, and PS5, giving players more options for gameplay. When the game was initially released, its developer, miHoYo, promised that it would eventually launch on major gaming platforms such as PlayStation and Nintendo Switch. However, the development process for the Switch version has been slow, leading to growing impatience among fans.
Reports now indicate that a dedicated player managed to “emulate” the mobile version of Genshin Impact on the Switch by breaking into the system and installing an Android emulator. While the performance remains subpar, this achievement demonstrates some progress. The game has been on the market for two years, and although miHoYo had committed to releasing the Switch version, there have been no official updates or announcements regarding its progress.
The delay is believed to stem from both development challenges and the limitations of the Nintendo Switch. The Switch’s performance is not as strong as other consoles, and when a game is poorly optimized, its flaws become more apparent. Reports suggest that the Switch’s performance is comparable to devices powered by the Snapdragon 835 processor, which may not be powerful enough to handle Genshin Impact efficiently. While there are no direct performance comparisons, and Nintendo’s focus is on creative game development rather than raw power, these issues are likely to have contributed to the delays. Given that Genshin Impact already faces optimization issues on other platforms, rushing it onto the Switch could result in negative consequences for players, Nintendo, and miHoYo.
In conclusion, while Nintendo is not known for prioritizing performance but rather for captivating players through its strong game IPs and creativity, the release of Genshin Impact on the Switch may not be a critical concern for the company itself. However, for the players eagerly awaiting its arrival, the ongoing delays have been a significant disappointment.