This review will critique Diablo lll: Eternal Collection for the Nintendo Switch as a port rather than cover the quality of the game itself. Diablo lll originally released in 2012 and has since been ported to PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS4, and now Nintendo Switch. Because of this, the game itself has been reviewed many times over. While it’s clear that Diablo lll is a fantastic title, it’s the quality of the port itself that will be looked at in this review.
Diablo lll: Eternal Collection has finally made its way to Nintendo’s console/handheld hybrid after a ton of speculation and rumors from both press and fans. This is yet another chance for Blizzard’s classic isometric dungeon crawler to be introduced to a whole host of new players with all of the bells and whistles that come with the complete package. Best of all: it’s completely playable for the first time ever in a portable setting. It’s an exciting concept that hinges upon its performance in comparison to its other versions.
Luckily, Diablo lll: Eternal Collection is a homerun on Nintendo Switch and runs like a dream in both handheld and docked mode. Large scale battles involving dozens of enemies on-screen go off without a hitch, even with the players constantly attacking and summoning minions of their own. This results in a buttery smooth experience similar to what you would find on PS4 and Xbox One, albeit with the added benefit of being able to play the game anywhere.
Truth be told, calling the port ‘smooth’ would be an understatement. Even when using a necromancer in local co-op to summon a horde of allies to fight an even larger horde of enemies, Diablo lll: Eternal Collection didn’t stutter once. The game seems to be locked at 60fps, regardless of what mode you’re playing in.
Speaking of modes, Diablo lll: Eternal Collection allows players to experience the game in a variety of ways. Local co-op with up to four players is fully supported, with players having the option to play using any of the control options available to them (including single joycon play). While playing with one joycon held sideways isn’t recommended for this kind of game, it’s still nice to have that option if all else fails. The game can also be played online or over a LAN connection between two Nintendo Switch consoles in the same room. All of these options work fantastically with zero issues.
Visually, the game looks surprisingly pretty in TV mode. The environments look varied and beautiful, and some players may not even be able to tell the difference between the PS4 version of the game and the Switch one (although there is still a bit of a downgrade). Handheld mode has the game display in 720p, which causes some of the colors to look a bit washed in comparison, but it’s by no means awful.
The added content exclusive to the Nintendo Switch version is more of a small treat rather than a selling point. It consists of a Ganondorf armor set, a triforce profile border, and a Cucco that can follow you around as a pet. Nintendo themed collaborations are always fun to see, even if they don’t add a whole lot to the gameplay experience.
The only negative aspect about Diablo lll: Eternal Collection on the Switch is its price. The game currently retails for $59.99, which is certainly more expensive than any of the other versions. Those ports of the game tend to priced a bit more reasonably, and even though the amount of content in the game justifies the price, it’s still a bit steep for a six year old game.
If the price isn’t a concern, then Nintendo Switch might be the best option not on the PC to experience Blizzard’s classic title. The game makes zero sacrifices in performance, and the expanded multiplayer options can make for some fun ways to play. Anyone that hasn’t experienced this addictive hack-and-slash adventure should seriously considering diving in.
