Sonic Frontiers Update is Out Now on Switch: New Updates, and is It Worth It?
Sonic the Hedgehog fans rejoice! SEGA‘s first open-world outing for the speedy blue mascot, Sonic Frontiers, recently received its first major update for the Nintendo Switch and other platforms. So what does this update offer for Switch owners, and is Frontiers worth picking up on Nintendo‘s hybrid console? Let‘s analyze what‘s new and whether Switch owners should take the plunge into the Starfall Islands.
Patch 1.1.1 – Minor But Welcome Improvements
The 1.1.1 patch includes two key bug fixes:
- Fixing an issue where the Kronos Island Titan boss could disappear during the fight, forcing a restart
- Enabling completion indicators for one of the Chaos Island icons
These are relatively minor issues, but ones that could significantly hinder progression or lead to frustration. While more extensive fixes for other reported gameplay and technical issues would be welcome, this initial patch shows that SEGA is committed to enhancing Frontiers over time. The team has promised much more significant updates and free DLC content throughout 2023, so future patches could address deeper problems.
For now, the 1.1.1 fixes do improve the overall experience and give hope that Frontiers will be polished into something special for platform like the Switch.
Visuals, Performance, and Design on Nintendo Switch
With a baseline of 720p docked and up to 1080p handheld, the Nintendo Switch release lacks the 4K crispness of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X versions. However, Frontiers still looks vibrantly colorful and relatively smooth in motion on Nintendo‘s console. This stands in stark contrast to the infamously broken Sonic Boom release in 2014.
The docked and handheld experience stays largely locked at 30 FPS. Unfortunately, slowdowns and frame pacing issues can sporadically occur during busy open zone sequences or graphically intensive boss battles. The game is still playable, but such performance dips highlight how SEGA crafted Frontiers primarily for more powerful consoles.
Despite some current shortcomings, Frontiers showcases world design and concepts with serious potential. The open Starfall Islands areas offer expansive exploration opportunities, while linear Cyberspace levels call back to traditional Sonic stages with blistering speed. Once patched and refined further, gameplay could ultimately show world-class results tailored for the Switch.
The Merits of Frontiers on Nintendo Switch
Sonic Frontiers offers engaging flavors of 3D platforming and adventure to satisfy Nintendo faithful. The game currently carries a 72 Metacritic score on Switch, a notch below the next-gen console offerings but still a far cry from the abysmal Sonic Boom launches.
Reviewers rightfully note rough edges in technical performance and gameplay flow issues with abilities like the new battle system. However, many identify Frontiers‘ basic concepts, world design ambitions, and moments of speedy platforming as indicators that SEGA is moving Sonic in an exciting direction.
So while not yet earning masterpiece status, Frontiers lays a promising groundwork for Sonic‘s open-zone 3D future. As a cross-generation release for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch, evaluating based on the Switch port alone is admittedly imperfect. SEGA clearly built the game to take advantage of modern hardware first before scaling down for less capable systems.
Still, early adopters report having a fun time exploring the Starfall Islands and blazing through story missions and side content. The Switch community is already sharing screenshots that showcase the game’s vibrant style. So despite some rough patches, Frontiers offers an enjoyable open-world-lite experience that will only improve over time.
The Bottom Line on Sonic Frontiers for Nintendo Switch
Sonic Frontiers is not yet the revolution some fans may have hoped for. Dropped frames, finicky controls, repetitious quests, and occasionally dull open-world trappings hold back the experience on Switch today. However, for Sonic diehards and gamers seeking family-friendly 3D action, Frontiers may still satisfy with its bursts of speed and moments of open-zone platforming joy.
If you insist on only the most polished gameplay or demand masterpiece status, perhaps wait to snag Frontiers at a discount later following more updates. But if SEGA‘s vision intrigues for cheaper Sonic thrills now, know that the foundation built on Nintendo Switch here remains promising even though the execution isn‘t flawless. Sonic is absolutely moving toward brighter open horizons whether playing docked or mobile, albeit with a few Early Access-like wobbles at launch.
