Palworld Eyes Nintendo Switch Expansion

Bad news for Nintendo Switch fans hoping to catch 'em all in Palworld. The game's developer, Pocketpair, has confirmed that a Switch version is highly unlikely due to technical limitations. The current Switch hardware apparently lacks the processing power to handle Palworld's demanding gameplay.

Palworld, a popular early access survival game featuring collectible creatures similar to Pokémon, recently received a major update ("Sakurajima Update") adding a new island, Pals, bosses, and a higher level cap. This update is available on PC and Xbox, but the Switch is excluded.

While an Xbox port is in the works, and Palworld runs smoothly on the Steam Deck, the developer, Takuro Mizobe, stated in an interview with Game File (via VGC) that porting to the Switch presents significant technical challenges.

The Future on Nintendo Platforms Remains Uncertain

Although Nintendo's upcoming Switch 2 console is expected to offer a substantial performance boost, the possibility of a Palworld release on a Nintendo platform remains questionable. Beyond the technical hurdles, the game's thematic similarities to Nintendo's own Pokémon franchise could also present licensing or strategic obstacles.

For now, portable Palworld gameplay is achievable via the Steam Deck. The potential release of an Xbox handheld could also open up another avenue for mobile play. However, for Switch owners, the wait for Palworld continues.