Platform Porting
Ongoing coverage on Platform Porting.
Latest coverage
Bobr Hopper - A native AmigaOS frogger like hopper port by angree with an impressive development!
Bobr Hopper, a native AmigaOS port developed by angree, has been released. This arcade-style crossing game tasks players with guiding a beaver or chicken across hazardous environments. The game features bilingual support, classic and career modes, and utilizes a custom engine built for classic Amiga hardware, employing fixed-point math and pre-rendered assets for smooth performance.
Stellar Blade interview: dev on bringing the game to Nintendo Switch 2, adoration for Zelda: Breath of the Wild, more
Shift Up's DongKi Lee discusses the upcoming Stellar Blade: Complete Edition for the Nintendo Switch 2, detailing technical optimizations and the use of DLSS and FSR 3.1 for a target of 60 frames per second. Lee also expresses admiration for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which inspired him to work on console games.
We got a first look at Stellar Blade on Nintendo Switch 2, here are our thoughts
A preview of Stellar Blade on the Nintendo Switch 2 reveals a competent and graphically impressive port that maintains a locked frame rate. Developer ShiftUp focused on seamless docked and undocked play, with unique touchscreen features for puzzles. The game's combat and atmosphere are compared favorably to NieR: Automata, making it an appealing option for those who missed the original release.
The Nintendo ports of Metal Gear Solid 4 replace the iconic PS3 and PSP in-game consoles with generic variants
The Nintendo Switch versions of Metal Gear Solid 4, included in the Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Vol 2, have replaced PlayStation-specific consoles and controllers with generic variants. References to the PlayStation 3, PSP, and DualShock 3 controllers have been altered or removed, with a Kerotan frog appearing in place of the PS3 on some versions. While PC and other console versions retain the original PlayStation branding, these changes on Nintendo platforms are speculated to be a requirement from Nintendo.
Capcom talks Onimusha: Way of the Sword for Nintendo Switch 2, says you may not feel a difference compared to PS5
Capcom developers Akihito Kadowaki and Satoru Nihei discussed the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 version of Onimusha: Way of the Sword, stating it will be comparable to the PlayStation 5 version despite a 30 FPS target compared to higher frame rates on other platforms. They emphasized that the core gameplay experience remains enjoyable, especially with the convenience of handheld play.
Nintendo Switch version of Metal Gear Solid Master Collection 2 seemingly removes the PS3 from Snake's plane, suggesting an iconic joke will have to be changed
Screenshots for Metal Gear Solid Master Collection Volume 2 indicate that the Nintendo Switch version of Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots will alter or remove the PlayStation 3 console from certain in-game scenes. This change suggests that iconic fourth-wall-breaking jokes referencing the PS3's Blu-ray capabilities may be modified for the port.
Rescue on Fractalus! - An 8bit classic is coming to an Amiga near you!
The classic 1985 game Rescue on Fractalus!, originally developed by Lucasfilm Games, is being ported to the Amiga by Vesuri. This port requires 1 MB of RAM and runs on Kickstart 1.3 or 3.1. The game is a tense planetary simulation where players pilot a Valkyrie fighter to rescue stranded pilots while avoiding alien saucers and ground emplacements.
Raptor: Call of the Shadows - An Amiga 68060 RTG / PiStorm port is in the works!
A new port of the 1994 PC DOS shoot-'em-up Raptor: Call of the Shadows is in development for the Commodore Amiga, utilizing AI assistance and open-source code. The project has achieved milestones like menu and input support on RTG graphics, with ongoing work to optimize performance on PiStorm and other accelerators. Community testing will begin once audio bugs are resolved, requiring users to provide their own original game data.
Crimson Desert's Switch 2 port could launch in the first half of 2027, says Pearl Abyss
Pearl Abyss has announced that the Nintendo Switch 2 port of Crimson Desert has reached a playable baseline and is targeted for release in the first half of 2027. The developer shared this update in its Q2 2026 earnings report, noting that the game has seen significant improvements since its initial troubled launch earlier this year.
Crimson Desert dev comments on status of Nintendo Switch 2 port, targeting first half of 2027
Pearl Abyss has provided an update on the Nintendo Switch 2 port of Crimson Desert, stating that the game is now playable at a foundational level and is targeting a first-half 2027 release. The company is focused on ensuring the game's graphics, combat, and open-world experience are preserved on the new platform.
Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition gets new “Story Spotlight” trailer for Nintendo Switch 2
Bandai Namco Entertainment has released a new "Story Spotlight" trailer for Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition, showcasing the game running on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. The port, originally slated for 2025, has been delayed to August 28, 2024, and faced some porting challenges. The trailer highlights the game's vast world, character customization, epic story, and online features.
"CoD got it. Halo didn't" – Black Ops 1 and 2 ports battered Halo Campaign Evolved on PlayStation last month, analyst says, because $60 for a "graphical touch-up" is a rough sell
Analyst Rhys Elliott suggests that the successful sales of Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 and 2 ports on PlayStation, compared to the slower launch of Halo: Campaign Evolved, are primarily due to pricing. While the Call of Duty ports offered discounts, Halo: Campaign Evolved was criticized for its $60 price point for what was perceived as a graphical update.
Moss The Forgotten Relic is a great example of transferring games from VR, but making it "was no simple task"
Polyarc successfully transitioned the VR titles Moss and Moss: Book Two to flat-screen platforms like PC with Moss: The Forgotten Relic. Technical Art Director Tyler Walters detailed the challenges of adapting input systems, camera perspectives, and interaction design for a non-VR experience. While the lack of VR's immersive scale is noted, the porting process is highlighted as a significant achievement in game development.
"We're grateful Capcom gave us that chance": Securing classic Resident Evil and Dino Crisis "did more for GOG's visibility than almost anything else in recent years"
GOG has stated that securing the PC ports for classic Resident Evil and Dino Crisis titles from Capcom has significantly boosted their visibility. The company expressed gratitude to Capcom for the opportunity, highlighting these ports as a major success for GOG's platform.
As GTA 6's PC portless launch looms, ex-Rockstar producer says prioritising consoles first is primarily about being "better off starting with the constraints"
Former Rockstar Games producer John Ricchio explained that prioritizing console development first for titles like Grand Theft Auto 6 is a strategic choice to manage complexity. He stated that it's easier to scale up a game from hardware with stricter limitations than to scale down a PC version for consoles, a philosophy applied to Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption.
GTA 6 isn't on PC at launch because it's 'always better to start with the constraints', suggests…
Former Rockstar producer John Ricchio suggests that Grand Theft Auto 6 is not launching on PC simultaneously because starting development with console constraints is more efficient. He explained that shrinking a game for consoles is harder than extending it for more powerful PC hardware, and that development priorities, such as working on Grand Theft Auto 5, also influenced the decision.
Capcom on decision to bring Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen to Nintendo Switch 2, wasn’t a part of the original plan
Capcom announced that Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen will be released on the Nintendo Switch 2 on October 9, 2026. Producer Naoto Oyama stated that the port was not part of the original plan but became feasible after evaluating the Switch 2's compatibility with the RE Engine, citing Resident Evil Requiem and Pragmata as examples. The team focused heavily on performance optimization, addressing player concerns from the initial launch of Dragon's Dogma 2.
Evening Consolidation
Call of Duty: Black Ops and Call of Duty: Black Ops II have been ported to PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 by Iron Galaxy, as announced by Treyarch. Additionally, an Xbox Insider Playtest for Wreck Runners is now open.
Crimson Desert on Switch 2 "is not just a simple port," Pearl Abyss CEO says, but devs want the open-world…
Pearl Abyss CEO Heo Jin-young stated that a Nintendo Switch 2 version of Crimson Desert is in development, but it will not be a simple port. The company is focused on maintaining the game's graphics, action, and open-world experience on the new hardware. A release schedule cannot be confirmed yet due to ongoing optimization and technical verification.
Crimson Desert Studio is Evaluating a Potential Nintendo Switch 2 Port
Pearl Abyss is exploring the possibility of porting Crimson Desert to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, with CEO Huh Jin-young stating that basic gameplay is achievable. However, the company is still evaluating technical feasibility, optimization, and whether graphical standards can be maintained. The studio is also investigating the potential for a multiplayer mode, though it presents significant technical challenges.
