Summary
The Nintendo Switch version ofHogwarts Legacyis missing a major feature, as it doesn’t appear to be a fully open world game.Hogwarts Legacywas officially released on PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC in February 2023, while its PS4 and Xbox One versions launched on May 5.
Hogwarts Legacywas also set to release on the Nintendo Switchin July 2023, but it was later delayed to November 14. The development team stated that creating the best possible experience ofHogwarts Legacywas its top priority, before thanking fans for their continued patience. Now, it looks like the Switch port ofHogwarts Legacyis missing a key feature, as it doesn’t seem to offer a full open world gameplay experience.
SwitchUp has shared a new video that offers a deeper look into the technical aspects ofHogwarts Legacy’s Switch port. The full video highlights the visual quality of the Switch version, in addition to its frame rate and comparisons with other editions ofHogwarts Legacy. Most notably, it confirms that the Switch port ofHogwarts Legacydoesn’t offer a fully open world, as fans will consistently come across loading screens while playing through the game.
Not only will players encounter a loading screen whenever they want totravel to Hogsmeade inHogwarts Legacy, they also will have to sit through one when trying to enter its various shops. According to the video,Hogwarts Legacytakes 30 to 50 seconds to load this interior space, so gamers will likely spend a ton of time on loading screens when playing through the Switch version ofHogwarts Legacy. While the open world ofHogwarts Legacywas one of its biggest big selling points on the other platforms, these sacrifices were probably necessary for a native Switch release.
Hogwarts Legacyreceived positive reviewswhen it originally came out, as it has a score of 84 on Metacritic. The PS4 and Xbox One editions also seem solid, so it’ll be interesting to see how critics and fans react to the Switch port ofHogwarts Legacy.
Hogwarts Legacywas also a massive commercial success, as it has sold over 15 million copies as of June 11, 2025. Fans can still find it in various sales charts, months after its original launch earlier in the year. Even though it doesn’t offer a full open world experience, this total may increase by a noteworthy amount with the release ofHogwarts Legacyon the Nintendo Switch.
Hogwarts Legacy
WHERE TO PLAY
Hogwarts Legacy is an immersive, open-world action RPG set in the world first introduced in the Harry Potter books. For the first time, experience Hogwarts in the 1800s. Your character is a student who holds the key to an ancient secret that threatens to tear the wizarding world apart. Now you can take control of the action and be at the center of your own adventure in the wizarding world. Your legacy is what you make of it.Explore an Open WorldThe wizarding world awaits you. Freely roam Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, the Forbidden Forest, and the surrounding Overland area.Be the Witch or Wizard You Want to beLearn spells, brew potions, grow plants, and tend to magical beasts along your journey. Get sorted into your house, forge relationships, and master skills to become the witch or wizard you want to be Experience a New Wizarding World AdventureExperience the wizarding world in an unexplored era to uncover a hidden truth from its past. Battle against trolls, Dark Wizards, goblins, and more as you face a dangerous villain threatening the fate of the wizarding world.
