Switch Doom Team Handling Wolfenstein II Switch Port

Good news Switch owners and Wolfenstein II fans: The Wolfenstein II Switch port is being handled by the same team that brought the stellar DOOM to the console.  If you’ll recall, DOOM was a graphically intensive game that many didn’t know whether the Switch would be a good home. The stellar port proved the team knew what they were doing. That’s why we can’t expect the Wolfenstein II Switch port to be amazing.

Panic Button’s Work on the Wolfenstein II Switch Port

Panic Button’s involvement in the Wolfenstein II Switch translation was revealed by Machine Games. Machine Games narrative designer Tommy Tordsson Bjork and Senior Game Designer Oejerfors discussed this with Games Radar.

“They’re experts at the Switch and now they’re experts with the [id Tech 6] engine so we work with them, and the Doom version turned out to be really kick-ass on the Switch so I think Wolfenstein will be the same,” Öjerfors told the publication.

Machine Games VR Future

Machine Games discussed the developer’s interest in virtual reality. Though there are no plans for VR for the Wolfenstein II Switch port, “we would love to do some VR experiments, absolutely, and we are very interested as a studio in creating that physical sense of being in the world, so it would be interesting to try that out in VR,” Oejerfors said.

Bethesda’s Pete Hines said the Wolfenstein II Switch port would not be the last game on the Switch. This marks a change for the publisher which has often released games too technically challenging for Nintendo consoles.

Bethesda’s release of Skyrim for the Switch console proved that the new Nintendo machine was capable. But Skyrim was quite an old game at the time of its release for the Switch. Panic Button’s release of the widely-acclaimed DOOM Switch port gives confidence to those on the fence. Not only did the game maintain graphical fidelity, but it also kept its signature speed. Fast-paced action coupled with great graphics show Panic Button knows the Switch hardware.

But will Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus be a similar success? For starters, there are some differences.

The Wolfenstein II Switch port will be a more cinematic experience. In addition to voice acting, the game has extensive cinematics.

While the cinemas use the in-game engine, optimization could become an issue with the sound files but these are idle concerns. No doubt the Wolfenstein II Switch port won’t cut anything out. It does make you wonder how they will keep everything though. Wolfenstein II is one of the latest releases for much more powerful consoles. The release of a cutting-edge PS4 game on the Switch either calls into question the Sony machine or ups the estimation of the Switch. Either way, it bodes well for people hoping the Switch is a serious contender.

With sales numbers like it is enjoying, there’s no doubt that publishing these titles on the Switch makes financial sense. It also points to the Switch revolutionary portable capabilities. Even with a lesser port, you’re still getting Wolfenstein II in a portable format. That alone makes the Switch worthy of consideration. With DOOM and Wolfenstein II Switch ports, maybe Bethesda will release other titles from its catalogue. After all, the publisher has a treasure trove of work for previous generations. Games just waiting to become portable masterpieces.

Can you imagine it? Think Oblivion, Elder Scrolls Online, or Rage? Imagine the horror experience of The Evil Within in a portable setting. Not creepy enough yet? Play that game in public. Or what about Dishonored, Brink, or Prey? No one can predict the future but the Switch’s promise looks bright.