Psyonix Game’s Rocket League has seen nothing less than a meteoric rise in popularity since it first launched on PC in 2015 It’s release on the PS4 and Xbox has been met with the same overwhelming enthusiasm as the original PC version, and the unique RC-car ballgame doesn’t show any signs of slowing down.
With fan response at a sustained high, Psyonix put that hype over the top with Rocket League‘s upcoming launch on the Nintendo Switch. By bringing Nintendo’s smash hit hybrid console into the Rocket League fold, we can’t help but wonder how the game will look and feel with such a portable option on the table.
We got a chance to try out Rocket League during PAX West 2017, as well as a chance to talk with producer Bobby Garza about the game’s development and performance on the Switch.
Performance
During PAX, we were able to get our hands on Rocket League on Switch in a handheld configuration. Psyonix didn’t have the game set up for demos in a dock with a larger screen, so the experience we had was likely only half the picture we’ll see when the game launches later this year.
In handheld mode, Rocket League is still able to hit a 60 fps frame rate with a resolution of around 540p. Bobby pointed out that Psyonix is targeting a 720p resolution when docked (and hopefully close to that target in handheld.) The primary focus for the team, though, is to keep the game running at a consistent 60fps in every configuration aside from split-screen multiplayer. “Dynamic resolution scaling,” a common feature of Switch games that allows the game resolution to drop to keep frame rates consistent, is a key factor in that performance.
Overall, the clarity was noticeable and the game ran smoothly throughout the entire session. It’s the same Rocket League that veteran fans love, and it felt great to have the action in a portable format. While the solid frame rate is noticeable, so is the lower resolution, and those familiar with the HD versions already available may feel a bit more throttled here than newcomers.
Still, the sacrifice is worth it for the flexibility, and the game is as responsive as ever on the Switch. Visibility of the play field is still high on the smaller screen, and not once did I feel limited by the console or the joy cons in terms of maneuvering my car or taking shots at the ball. The controls are familiar and comfortable, and the local wireless play was fluid and responsive, even in a booth jam-packed with other Switch consoles.
On the Switch
The Switch version of Rocket League offers perhaps the most diverse set of play options we’ve seen for the game yet. Bobby confirmed that the game will support split-screen multiplayer; the team hopes to support up to 4 players when the Switch is docked, and 2 players in un-docked configurations.
He mentioned that the split-screen features may have some performance impact, though this early in development it’s tough to say exactly how that will end up. Given the team’s keen awareness of the performance needs for Rocket League, I doubt they’ll let the split-screen launch without as much polish as possible.
Internet play is supported, of course, as is local wireless. It definitely feels local wireless is likely to dominate when any real competitive play is on the table. The ease of connecting via local wireless should allow for reliable, quick play without a lot of overhead.
As they’ve mentioned before, Psyonix plans to support internet multiplayer between the Switch and both the Xbox and PC versions of Rocket League. Bobby did mention that the company is working hard on bringing PS4 into the cross-platform fold, but we still have no news of progress on that front.
eSports and Switch
According to Bobby, the transition to developing for the Switch was “surprisingly smooth.” He remarked on Nintendo’s support during the process, providing the tools they need and their quick approval of the game for cross-platform play with Xbox and PC versions. He noted that Nintendo has been in constant contact, and that they “really want this title on the platform.”
That alone should give Switch fans something to think about, especially with regard to the console as a potential contender in competitive circles. Nintendo has consistently dropped hints that it hopes the Switch becomes a contender in the eSports market, with early trailers showing Splatoon players in an arena and with new IP like ARMS seeing such fervent attention.
Psyonix’s position on the console being a serious competitive platform suggest that they’re not quite sure how that will factor in to Rocket League. The company didn’t have much to say about the Switch’s role in it’s own RLCS league, which primarily sees players running on PC with little inclusion of console versions.
Speaking with Stephanie Thoensen, PR and Events manager for Psyonix, it seems the team is still laser-focused on getting the Switch version of Rocket League finished and to the public. The company’s internal eSports team is waiting to get a little closer to launch before they tackle some of the more technical questions surrounding tournament-level play on the Switch. Still, looking at the current climate it certainly feels like support from the community is going to be the deciding factor for how competitive play evolves on the Switch version of the game.
That said, it’s entirely possible that the Switch could become the “easiest” platform to spin up a tournament from. With the flexibility to play the way you want, seemingly without any unfair advantages, community tournaments via local networks will likely be a breeze to set up. Couple that with the many organizing solutions available, like Smash.gg and Matcherino, and the opportunity for grassroots Switch-only tournaments in Rocket League is vast.
And now we wait
We still don’t have a concrete release date for the Switch version of Rocket League. A new update is on its way to existing versions of the game, and Psyonix is likely focusing on rolling that out before we get more news on the Switch.
From what we’ve seen, Rocket League is shaping up to be a major contender for the Switch’s 2017 lineup. The game feels natural and engaging in handheld mode, and I’m already itching for some racecar-soccer action on the go. There’s some question about where the game will end up visually at launch, but Psyonix looks to be working hard to make smooth, consistent performance a focus of the launch.
If what I’ve played so far is just a fraction of the fun Rocket League can bring to the Switch, then launch day can’t come soon enough.
