OlliOlli World, the delightfully offbeat skateboarding platformer, launched a couple of weeks in the past on principally each gaming console you could possibly ask for. It’s a clear break for the collection, taking acquainted gameplay however placing it in a very redesigned world that permits for extra exploration, competitors and tips.

You could not recall, however the unique OlliOlli was launched in 2014 solely for the PS Vita earlier than hitting extra platforms over the next years. That was my first publicity to the sport, and I performed it continuous every time I traveled; for a couple of years, the Vita was a relentless companion on work journeys and holidays alike.

I sunk untold hours into the 2 OlliOlli video games on the Vita, mastering virtually every little thing they threw at me. (I used to be by no means in a position to hack the insane “Rad” mode, the place you needed to make each single touchdown completely or else you’d slam and have to start out the extent over.) So whereas I used to be thrilled to strive OlliOlli World on the PS5, I’ve additionally been questioning the way it works on the Switch — would this be my new on-the-go gaming dependancy, or do the compromises of enjoying on growing older {hardware} degrade the expertise?

After a pair weeks, I’m joyful to say that OlliOlli World appears to be like and performs nice on the Switch. Still, there are some things you’ll need to know as you resolve which platform to purchase it on. Of course, the sport provides up some visible constancy on the Switch — as with all video games, 1080p when docked to a TV and 720p on the console’s built-in show is nearly as good because it will get, a far cry from the superbly detailed 4K visuals you’ll get on the PS5 or Xbox Series X. OlliOlli World on the Switch does goal 60 fps, much like different consoles.

None of those adjustments are shocking; everyone knows the Switch is much less highly effective than trendy programs. But happily, these adjustments largely don’t make a distinction. The character fashions of your skater, in addition to the many individuals you meet throughout the skateboarding haven of Radlandia, are certainly much less detailed on the Switch. What’s most vital is that the sport’s beautiful artwork type nonetheless shines. OlliOlli World is without doubt one of the most vibrant video games I’ve ever performed, and it appears to be like particularly vibrant on the OLED Switch’s display. While it took me a couple of minutes to regulate to the lower-resolution expertise right here, I principally didn’t give it some thought as soon as I obtained right down to the sport’s core skateboarding motion.

The distinction in body charge is extra noticeable. OlliOlli World is a particularly quick recreation, one that basically advantages from working at 60 fps. But although developer Roll7 focused 60 fps for the Switch, there have been occasions that I felt prefer it dipped even under 30 fps. Roll7 did an amazing job of constructing the Switch model really feel easy sufficient that gameplay isn’t normally impacted, however generally the sport would drop frames in a vital second that led to me unceremoniously slamming after a trick. The overwhelming majority of the time, issues stayed regular sufficient that it didn’t affect my gameplay. But there’s little doubt that you just’ll discover dropped frames in comparison with how the sport performs on the PS5.

I additionally got here throughout body charge drops in different elements of the sport, just like the animation that occurs when your skater kicks off a run, or the loading display transitions that happen when transferring from the map right into a stage. These don’t have an effect on gameplay, however they’re exhausting to disregard and add to the sensation that the Switch struggles a bit to maintain up with the motion. But the truth that the body charge normally stays strong while you’re on a course is way extra vital.

Probably probably the most important compromise that comes when enjoying on the Switch are the Joy-Con’s comparatively tiny analog sticks. Compared to the spacious sticks on PlayStation and Xbox controllers, it’s a bit tougher to drag off the sport’s extra complicated tips when enjoying on the Switch. Again, although, it’s not a deal-breaker. I’ve thrown down loads of spectacular runs and beat practically each single problem the sport has thrown at me over the course of dozens of ranges.

That mentioned, I’m getting far sufficient into OlliOlli World on the Switch that ranges are getting more and more tough, and I’m slightly fearful about maintaining with the tougher ranges that’ll come over the 2 worlds I’ve but to beat but. I’m assured that I’ll be capable of make it by means of principally any stage the sport throws at me. But every stage has quite a lot of particular challenges you’ll be able to optionally full — to actually grasp these, I would find yourself docking my Switch to the TV and enjoying with the Switch Pro Controller, which has significantly better analog sticks than the Joy-Con.

On the opposite hand, the PS Vita analog sticks are even smaller than these on the Switch, and I ultimately mastered two OlliOlli video games on that system. There’s little doubt that larger controllers make pulling off the sport’s tips extra snug and doubtless simpler, however OlliOlli World continues to be extraordinarily playable on the Switch.

To sum it up: there are a handful of compromises throughout graphics and gameplay if you happen to select to play on the Switch quite than a extra highly effective console. But I don’t assume that they need to cease you from enjoying the sport on Nintendo’s handheld. It’s an amazing pick-up-and-play recreation, the type of title you’ll be able to spend a rewarding 10 minutes with or get misplaced in for a number of hours. The expertise is a bit more refined on Sony and Microsoft’s extra highly effective consoles, however you’ll be able to’t simply take that on the go along with you. If you don’t care about that, snap it up on the PS5 or Xbox Series X / S. But if you happen to’re on the lookout for a recreation that’s at house each in your TV and away from it, OlliOlli World on the Switch matches the invoice completely.