The best way to play Stardew Valley on Switch
One of the most beautiful parts about Stardew Valley is that it is available almost everywhere in the game world. Don’t have a gaming PC? No problem because you can play it on console. Don’t have a dedicated game console either? You can play on mobile devices. But if you want the best platform to play Stardew ValleyI feel like the Nintendo Switch version still comes out on top.
Right off the bat, one of my favorite features about the Switch version of this beloved indie farming sim is its price. It’s already quite cheap at only $14.99, which is more than a bargain. Stardew Valley there are more High quality content than many full retail AAA games I’ve played. Better yet, prices on the Switch are the same as everywhere else, at least in North America.
Consistent pricing might sound like a strange benefit, but there are a large number of indie games on Switch that are a bit more expensive than Steam. Additionally, this game also has discounts from time to time. Plus, you don’t have to sacrifice any performance or visuals when playing this game on Switch.
The game is older than the Switch and in 2D, so it runs perfectly on it. If you happen to have the Nintendo Switch OLED version, even better. Sharp, colorful and bright images look most impressive on OLED screens than on any other platform. But more important than that, there’s the matter of the Switch’s hybrid nature.
Unlike other consoles, PCs, and even mobile devices, you have instant access to most play options on the Switch. Of course, you can play in handheld mode if you want and experience farming anywhere you want around the world. But you can also slide the Switch into the dock and immediately start playing on your TV at home in any room you want.
Other platforms may offer that feature, such as PlayStation Remote Play or connecting the Steam Deck to a monitor or TV, but they all have different constraints or hoops to go through. The Switch version just works without any problems. And then there’s the supposed issue of backwards compatibility with the as-yet-unannounced Nintendo Switch 2.
We know the Switch 2 will be backwards compatible with original Switch games. This will include Stardew Valley. So you can enjoy the farming sim now on the original Switch, then also benefit from the power of the console’s successor in the future. It’s clear to me that if you want to play basic Stardew ValleyThe best platform is always Switch.
However, there is one downside to the Switch version: mods cannot be used. Mods are an important part of this farming sim game. It allows you to customize the appearance of your characters, add new content, and change your farm. Mod community for Stardew Valley is one of the best of all PC games. As such, there is a clear second place for the best platform to play on Stardew Valley.
That runner-up is none other than Steam Deck. It plays the game beautifully, even with less than impressive power. Also, it’s simple enough to use mods like Nexus mods. Additionally, it can connect to an external TV or display if you have the right equipment. That said, it’s an expensive and sometimes frustrating way to play. So if you don’t care about mods, Nintendo Switch is the right choice.
Finally, the Nintendo Switch feels like Stardew Valley. It plays flawlessly, looks most graphically impressive on an OLED display, and best of all you can play it anywhere. At home, on the couch, in bed, at a coffee shop, on a plane, at school, etc. If you want the easiest and best platform to play Stardew Valleyit’s the Nintendo Switch.
Stardew Valley currently available for Nintendo SwitchPS4, Xbox One, PC and mobile. It also appears on Vita.
