Now that the Switch 2 has become a hot commodity, fans wonder if all their favorite games can be ported to the system. Diablo 4 is one of those games, as fans think having a grindy action RPG on Nintendo’s premier handheld would be ideal. Blizzard has said they’re still testing how this system handles live service elements, but we hope it will prompt them to add an offline mode to Diablo 4.
Playing online-only games on a handheld defeats the purpose of that system, since these are meant for on-the-go gaming. It’s a common complaint that has been leveled at Blizzard before, as their action RPG is Steam Deck Verified, but it still requires an internet connection to play the game. That feels wrong, and the fact that this hasn’t changed at all has annoyed fans.
We have seen Blizzard concede to offline play before, with Diablo 3 being a prominent example. After numerous complaints, this action RPG got offline play when it was ported to the PS3 and Xbox 360. Fans are hoping that the same thing happens here if Diablo 4 ever gets a Switch 2 port, as it would also force them to add that feature to other systems.
To play devil’s advocate for the moment, mobile devices have also shown that live-service games have a place in handheld systems. Granted, phones have built-in Wi-Fi and can support these games with little issue. Nintendo is known for having poor internet on all of its systems, with fans hoping for something different with the Switch 2.
Blizzard has previously said that they won’t be removing the live-service elements of Diablo 4 anytime soon, as they have managed to work out the kinks and make them work on current platforms. Most players have even given up on offline play for the game, even though they wish it were there. It will be interesting to see if Activision Blizzard eventually gives in to these demands, but that doesn’t seem likely.
That’s not to say online games like Diablo 4 don’t have a place on handhelds like the Switch 2. Fortnite is going to launch with a new version on the system, and we imagine that Overwatch 2 will follow suit. Other gamers are also hoping that Marvel Rivals makes the jump to Nintendo, given its popularity so far.
Even if we can accept online-only live service games on the Switch 2, it would be a lot better if Diablo 4 had some form of offline play. We know that it’s possible to play alone, but there’s nothing more immersion-breaking than playing a session and seeing other players goof around.
Nintendo could be the ones to make them add this mode, but that will remain a pipedream until a port is officially announced.