Dragon Quest XI For Nintendo Switch Using Unreal Engine 4
Even though it was one of the very first games announced for the Nintendo Switch (known as NX back then), we know surprisingly very little about this version of Dragon Quest XI. The game launched this past summer in Japan on the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo 3DS consoles. Square Enix has been very cagey about the Switch version, other than acknowledging that it’s in development.
Given that the Switch is both a portable device and a console, many wondered which version of Dragon Quest XI would be ported. Although many times more powerful than the 3DS, some thought perhaps the Switch version would be an upgraded remaster of sorts. This past weekend Yuji Horii, the man behind all of the Dragon Quest games, let it slip that the Switch version will utilize Unreal Engine 4. In fact, it will be running on version 4.15, which is two versions ahead of what was used on the PS4 (4.13). This leads us to believe that the Switch version most likely will be a port of the PS4 game.
Obviously the Switch can’t match the performance of the PS4, but we should still see similar graphics, albeit a little less detailed and possibly at a lower resolution. Now, this doesn’t mean that the Switch version won’t be special in its own way – perhaps borrowing elements from the 3DS and PS4 games and creating something entirely unique. We’ll just have to wait and see what Square Enix has planned.
Keep in mind we should hear official word about the release timeframe for Dragon Quest XI in North America sometime this fall. We’re very curious to find out if the 3DS version will make its way over or not. The PS4 version is already confirmed. We’ll keep you updated as we hear more!
Craig has been covering the video game industry since 1995. His work has been published across a wide spectrum of media sites. He’s currently the Editor-In-Chief of Nintendo Times and contributes to Gaming Age.
