If you’re a Genshin fan who loves playing on the go, you’ve probably wondered if you can ditch your bulky portable gaming laptop or overheating mobile device for Nintendo’s next console. We’ve seen tons of questions pop up across Reddit, Twitter, and official HoYoverse forums asking will genshin impact be on switch 2, and we’ve dug through every leak, official statement, and industry trend to pull together all the verified info we can find. The original Nintendo Switch never got a full native Genshin port despite years of rumors, so it makes sense players are holding out hope for the next-gen hardware to finally support the open-world gacha game. We’re breaking down everything from hardware compatibility to HoYoverse’s public comments, so you don’t have to wade through unsubstantiated leaks on your own.
Will Genshin Impact Be on Switch 2? What Official Sources Have Said
To start, let’s clear up what we know for sure from official parties, not random social media leakers. HoYoverse first announced it was working on a Genshin port for the original Nintendo Switch back in 2020, but the project never materialized, with devs later citing unresolvable performance issues on the Switch’s aging hardware. When asked about future Nintendo console support in a 2023 press roundtable, HoYoverse’s global marketing lead said the team was “actively evaluating all next-gen console opportunities” to bring Genshin to as many players as possible. HoYoverse has never officially ruled out a Switch 2 port, which is a positive sign for interested players.
We also have confirmation from reliable industry insiders that Nintendo listed Genshin Impact as one of the top 10 most requested third-party titles for its next console in internal partner surveys last year. Nintendo has been pushing to attract more live service game players to its ecosystem, and Genshin’s 70 million+ monthly active players make it a very high priority for the company. These specs answer a lot of the questions people have around will genshin impact be on switch 2, because the hardware limitations that killed the original Switch port no longer exist.
Switch 2 Specs That Make a Genshin Impact Port Feasible
The biggest barrier to a Genshin port on the original Switch was its weak, 7-year-old hardware that couldn’t handle the game’s large open world without cutting graphics to unplayable levels or making load times stretch for minutes. The Switch 2’s leaked and partially confirmed specs fix almost all of those pain points, and match the architecture of consoles that already run Genshin flawlessly. The Switch 2’s SSD alone will cut Genshin’s notoriously long teleport load times by up to 70% compared to even high-end mobile devices.
The key specs that make a native Genshin port not just possible, but likely, are:
For context, Genshin already runs smoothly on mid-range Android phones with only 8GB of RAM and far less powerful GPUs than the Switch 2 is expected to have. Even if HoYoverse has to make minor graphical tweaks to hit consistent frame rates, the end product will almost certainly be on par with the PS4 version of the game, which most players agree is perfectly playable.
Potential Drawbacks of a Switch 2 Genshin Impact Port
It’s not all good news, though. There are a few potential downsides to a Switch 2 port that you should keep in mind before you get your hopes up too high. First, there’s the cross save question. HoYoverse currently restricts cross save between PlayStation and other platforms due to Sony’s strict revenue sharing rules for live service games, and there’s a real chance Nintendo could impose similar restrictions. If cross save is locked, you won’t be able to carry over your existing characters, primogems, and progress from mobile, PC, or PS5 to the Switch 2 version.
Next, file size is going to be a pain point for many players. Genshin currently takes up over 80GB of storage on PC and PS5, even with compressed assets, and that number grows by 5-10GB with every 6-week content update. The Switch 2 is rumored to launch with only 256GB of base internal storage, and a large chunk of that will be taken up by system files. That means you’ll almost certainly have to buy a high-capacity microSD card if you want to install Genshin alongside other Switch 2 games.
You should also expect minor performance tradeoffs in handheld mode. The Switch 2 will throttle performance slightly when running on battery to extend play time, so you might see occasional frame drops in dense areas like Sumeru City or during busy boss fights with lots of visual effects. These tradeoffs are standard for console ports, and most casual players won’t notice them, but they’re worth mentioning if you’re used to playing Genshin on a high-end PC or PS5.
What We Recommend for Genshin Fans Waiting for Switch 2
We get that you might be tempted to hold off on playing Genshin entirely until we get confirmation of a Switch 2 port, but there are a few things you should consider before making that call. First, if you don’t already play Genshin and you only want to play it on Nintendo hardware, it’s reasonable to wait 12 to 18 months after the Switch 2 launches. HoYoverse typically takes 6 to 12 months to port the game to new hardware, so you won’t be waiting too long if a port is confirmed. If you already play Genshin on another platform, don’t abandon your account just because you’re hoping for a Switch 2 port. There’s no guarantee cross save will be supported, so you could lose hundreds of hours of progress if you stop playing your existing account waiting for a Switch version.
If you want to play Genshin on the go right now, consider the cloud version for the original Switch, which is available in select regions. It’s not a native port, but it runs well if you have a strong, stable internet connection, and it supports cross save with PC and mobile. If you live in a region with no access to the Genshin cloud port for original Switch, a mid-range Android gaming handheld is another solid alternative to hold you over. These devices run the mobile version of Genshin flawlessly, and most support cross save with your existing account.
You can also sign up for HoYoverse’s official newsletter or follow their official X (Twitter) accounts to get the first news of any Switch 2 port announcement. The company usually shares big platform updates with its community first, so you’ll hear the news as soon as it’s public, before it gets twisted by unreliable leakers.
At the end of the day, there’s no official confirmation yet, but all signs point to yes when asking will genshin impact be on switch 2. The hardware is more than capable, HoYoverse has expressed interest in next-gen console ports, and player demand is higher than ever. It might not launch on day one of the Switch 2’s release, but we expect to see an official announcement within a year of the console hitting store shelves. Until then, you can keep playing on your existing platform, or try out the cloud version if you want to play Genshin on Nintendo hardware right now. We’ll update this guide as soon as we get any official news from HoYoverse or Nintendo, so check back regularly for the latest updates.