A Shenmue 3 Switch release would be a boon for the console. The quirky, anachronistic title seems like a good fit for the portability of the Switch. However, if you’re a fan of Nintendo’s console, don’t expect to see a Shenmue 3 Switch release date anytime soon.
Is Shenmue 3 coming to Switch?
One of the biggest questions with every major game release is whether or not it’s coming to the Switch. The console has received some impressive ports, including The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. With these huge titles coming to the platform, it’s changed our perception of what the relatively spartan hardware can do.
Most of the time, we don’t get a straight answer when we ask about Switch ports, but for Shenmue 3 we have something solid. In an interview with GameBlog.fr, series creator Yu Suzuki was asked whether Shenmue 3 would see a release on the switch. He responded: “Regarding Switch, I would like to say that nothing is planned for the moment.”
It makes sense that the game wouldn’t come to the Nintendo Switch. Sony partially funded the development of Shenmue 3, and it’s likely the title will remain a PlayStation 4 console exclusive. This seems like it may be Sony’s new Modus operandi, as we’ve seen titles like Death Stranding receive plans for a PC launch while remaining exclusive to the PS4.
Unfortunately for Switch fans, Shenmue 3 seems like another title that’ll be looked over for a port to the platform. It’s much more likely that we’ll see the HD remasters of Shenmue 1 and 2 make it to the Switch. These games aren’t locked down by any exclusivity clause and require less horsepower to run.
For now, Shenmue fans will have to get their kicks on non-Nintendo platforms. A port of Shenmue 3 hasn’t been completely ruled out, but the chances aren’t looking too good right now.
