With the Nintendo Switch 2 officially on the horizon, a growing chorus of fans is once again urging HoYoverse to bring Genshin Impact—one of the world’s most popular free-to-play RPGs—to a Nintendo platform. The timing feels right. With the new console rumored to deliver a significant boost in power and capability, the long-requested Switch version of Genshin Impact may finally have a realistic shot.
Let’s explore why the demand is resurging, what’s changed, and what it would take to make this long-awaited port a reality.
A Promise Still Unfulfilled: Genshin’s Missing Switch Port
When Genshin Impact was first announced in January 2020, HoYoverse (then miHoYo) included the Nintendo Switch among its planned platforms. Nearly five years later, Genshin Impact is thriving across PC, PlayStation 4 & 5, iOS, Android, and now Xbox Series X|S (as of late 2024)—but Nintendo players are still waiting.
While a 2022 developer statement reassured fans that the Switch version was still in development, there’s been radio silence ever since. Many fans began to assume the project had been quietly shelved due to the original Switch’s aging hardware.
Why the Switch 2 Changes Everything
The Nintendo Switch 2—set to release on June 5, 2025, if the most credible leaks hold true—is expected to deliver a dramatic hardware leap, with:
- DLSS upscaling support
- Ray tracing capabilities
- Faster load times with upgraded storage
- A more modern SoC (likely based on NVIDIA’s Ampere or Lovelace architecture)
- Larger memory pool—potentially up to 12GB of unified RAM
These features could finally give HoYoverse the technical runway to bring Genshin Impact to Nintendo hardware without severe compromises to resolution, framerate, or loading.
Fan Demand Is Surging Again
With Switch 2 specs in the spotlight and excitement building around its confirmed titles (like Mario Kart World), player demand for a Genshin Impact port is trending across social media, Reddit, and gaming forums. There’s a sense that Nintendo’s next-gen console might finally be the “just right” platform.
Some fans are even speculating that Genshin Impact could become a launch window title for the Switch 2—though this remains wishful thinking unless HoYoverse breaks their silence soon.
Why It Still Might Not Happen
Even with the hardware hurdles cleared, several challenges remain:
- Resource Allocation: HoYoverse would need a dedicated team to optimize the game for Switch 2’s architecture, which differs from the x86-based PlayStation and Xbox systems.
- Live Service Demands: With Genshin Impact receiving near-monthly updates, maintaining another platform would increase QA and version-sync overhead.
- Marketing Momentum: After years of silence, HoYoverse may believe the window to capitalize on a Switch port’s hype has passed—though many fans would disagree.
Would It Be Worth It?
From a business standpoint, the Switch user base—especially with the incoming Switch 2 upgrade—is massive. Genshin Impact has already demonstrated strong engagement across mobile and console ecosystems. Bringing the game to Switch 2 could unlock an entirely new segment of players, especially in regions where Nintendo is dominant.
Moreover, the ability to play Genshin on a portable console with physical controls and full online support (unlike mobile) would likely be a huge hit among both casual and hardcore players.
Still No Official Word
As of April 2025, there is no official word from HoYoverse about Genshin Impact coming to either the original Switch or the Switch 2. That said, fans remain hopeful. The technical excuses that may have once made a port infeasible are rapidly evaporating—and the demand has never been higher.
If there were ever a time for HoYoverse to follow through on its original promise, it’s now.
