Neptunia x Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars from Compile Heart and Tamsoft arrived in the West last October following its debut in Japan on PS4. It is a collaboration game between the Senran Kagura and Neptunia series featuring characters from both with a new one for this release. Idea Factory International has now brought Neptunia X Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars to Nintendo Switch with a PC version set for release next month. For my Neptunia X Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars Switch review, I wanted to focus on the additions for the Nintendo Switch version and how it compares to the PS4 release. I’ve played almost every Compile Heart game on Switch and this is one of the better conversions for Nintendo’s hybrid system with a few useful additions.
Neptunia X Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars Switch vs PS4 content
The hack and slash action game on Nintendo Switch offers the same content as the PS4 version, but it also has all the free DLC and post-launch patch content included from the get go with one welcome addition. You also get two new difficulty options to make it much harder or easier adding some replay value and also making it more or less challenging. These difficulty options haven’t been confirmed for the PS4 version, and are only announced for Switch and Steam right now. For the new accessibility options and having all content in the base game from the start, the Switch version is a better package, albeit one with technical cutbacks.
Neptunia X Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars Switch vs PS4 graphics
On Nintendo Switch, Neptunia X Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars looks better than I expected given the frame rate target. It isn’t a blurry mess like some prior Compile Heart games on the system, but it has been noticeably changed compared to the PS4 version. This applies to both resolution and foliage. It almost feels like a Vita game at a higher resolution when it comes to the environment and draw distance, but obviously at a higher resolution. The graphics in Neptunia X Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars weren’t anything special even on PS4, so having some changes to accommodate for the Nintendo Switch isn’t a dealbreaker. The biggest problem is the draw distance for certain things in the environment like shadows and other objects being a bit too close compared to the PS4 version. One interesting thing to note is the anisotropic filtering seems worse in the PS4 version in specific scenes while it looks identical in others.
Neptunia X Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars Switch vs PS4 frame rate and load times
The PS4 version supports up to 60fps while the Nintendo Switch version of Neptunia X Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars supports up to 30fps during gameplay. On PS5, the PS4 version runs at a locked 60fps in my testing. The Nintendo Switch version seems to hold the 30fps target well, but it does have some slowdown that is most noticeable during the special attack cinematic scenes. I’m very impressed with the performance compared to other Compile Heart releases even with the slowdown in specific scenes. The load times are similar between the PS4 and Nintendo Switch versions with some scenes having long load times on both.
Should you buy Neptunia X Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars on Switch?
While the port quality of Compile Heart games on Switch varies quite a bit, Neptunia X Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars is one of the better conversions. If you’re ok with a 30fps target and lower resolution compared to the PS4 version, this Nintendo Switch version is the one to get for portability and the new difficulty options. Having harder and easier difficulty options with all prior DLC and patches included right from the get go makes it a compelling package. If you want to play it on the big screen only and don’t care about portable play, the PC version is likely going to be the best one since it will have the new difficulty options while offering higher resolution and frame rate options. On the console side, the PS4 version offers best visuals and frame rate, but lacks the new difficulty options.
Neptunia X Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars on Nintendo Switch is a competent port that exceeded my expectations given some of the other Compile Heart ports I’ve played on Nintendo’s hybrid system. Unlike some other multi-platform releases that just feel compromised on the system, Neptunia X Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars on Switch is a fine way to experience the action. It does have cutbacks compared to the PS4 version, but is worth it for fans who want to play it on a portable system. If you already played it on PS4, the new difficulty options are not enough to warrant a double dip though. If you enjoyed playing the Neptunia and Senran Kagura games on PS Vita a few years ago, you will enjoy Neptunia X Senran Kagura: Ninja Wars on Switch.
Switch port review: This review focuses on the Nintendo Switch version and port quality of a game that was either previously released on other platforms or one that simultaneously launched on Nintendo Switch and other platforms.
