It’s taken some time, but Bandai Namco’s One Piece Odyssey has finally arrived on Nintendo Switch—specifically the deluxe edition. This means that Nintendo Switch users will have the previous DLC sets included with the main game, so players will not miss out on any major content. As it is Nintendo Switch, the natural questions are what are the trade-offs to run this? Is it bad in terms of FPS and graphics? While I can say yes, there are trade-offs to help run this game on Switch, it is surprisingly well done and optimized for play.
Game Name: One Piece Odyssey
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch
Developer(s): Bandai Namco
Publisher(s): Bandai Namco
Release Date: July 26, 2024
Price: $49.99
This feature is meant to complement the main review of One Piece Odyssey. If you want to know the main story and gameplay of the game, please read Scott’s review of One Piece Odyssey. This article will focus on the Switch version’s specifications and performance. The gameplay and content are similar in all versions of the game.
If you’re familiar with Eiichiro Oda’s One Piece, you’ll recognize the expansive pirate world he’s created and its global impact. This game is designed with One Piece fans in mind, though your familiarity with the source material will enhance your experience. Released a year ago, the game has evolved with the ongoing story of One Piece. Written by Eiichiro Oda himself, the game integrates seamlessly into the One Piece universe. The Straw Hats are stranded on Waford Island, where they encounter Adio Suerte and Lim. Lim strips the Straw Hats of their powers due to her disdain for pirates, setting the stage for the crew to reclaim their abilities and escape the island.
The gameplay is JRPG-style, allowing players to control the Straw Hats and use moves from the manga to defeat enemies, regain skills, and revisit One Piece history. The mechanics are straightforward: control characters, position them strategically, and attack enemies. While experience is easily gained and leveling up can make some challenges feel easy, this doesn’t necessarily detract from the enjoyment but may disappoint those seeking a tougher challenge.
So how does it fair on the Nintendo Switch? First, The Switch version is available only as the deluxe version for $59.99 on the Nintendo Eshop and physical retailers. That is the same price as when it was originally released on other systems minus the extra content. For Nintendo Switch, you get all costume packs and the “Reunion of Memories ” DLC which involves Mihawk, Whitebeard, and other main characters. So that is one advantage to getting the Switch version. You will get all of the post-released content.
However, the Switch version does come with trade-offs. Performance and visual fidelity are noticeably lower compared to other systems. The game runs at a locked 30 FPS with occasional dips during intense scenes. The character and enemy models are less sharp, as expected for the Switch. Despite these compromises, the game’s style and flow remain intact. Loading times for major areas and battles are relatively quick, around 3-5 seconds. The speed-up mode for combat and traversal performs well, and there were no crashes during my playtime. Minor issues like environment popping and model clipping are present but don’t significantly impact the experience. The expressions and quirky characters from Oda’s world are still vividly present.
In summary, the Switch version of One Piece Odyssey is a solid option if you prefer portability and if you don’t own Steam Deck or a similar portable handheld. While it’s not as powerful as other systems, it includes all the main content and provides a satisfying experience for One Piece fans. For the full strength of the game, while playing on the other platforms might be a better choice, the Switch port is a commendable alternative.
One Piece Odyssey is available on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, PC and Nintendo Switch.
Disclosure Statement: One Piece Odyssey was provided to us by Bandai Namco for review/coverage purposes. For more information on how we review video games and other media/technology, please review our Review Guideline/Scoring Policy for more info.
