As superheroes take the main stage on the silver screen now with an onslaught of movies coming out, it’s no surprise that popular animated series, at least the adult kind, have created parodies. Back in October last year, I gave South Park: The Fractured but Whole a whopping 10 out of 10. I stand by that score and would defend it to the hilt, but now a new version enters the fray, a new smaller, handheld version. Thanks to Nintendo’s powerful tablet hybrid, console games can now be ported over with mixed results (I’m looking at you WWE 2K18). My prayers were answered when The Fractured but Whole was announced for the Switch.
If you want to find out how the game plays, the contents of the superheroes-at-war story and my initial opinions of the game, head on over to my review as the Switch version is a straight up port. Eric Cartman as his alter-ego, The Coon, Kyle as The Human Kite, Kenny as Mysterion and the player’s created hero as whoever you want them to be all look great on the Switch, regardless of what way you’re playing. It doesn’t have to render three-dimensional graphics after all, sure, but it could’ve had aliasing issues, but I found none, it’s pretty much a near perfect port.
Why a “near-perfect” port, I hear you say, what’s stopping it from being perfect? Well, it has nothing to do with graphics or gameplay, in fact, the controls translate over pretty well, the issue lies in the lack of any Nintendo-themed add-ons or DLC. Bayonetta had Nintendo-themed costumes, and most other ports come completed with all their previously released downloadable content. With South Park: The Fractured but Whole, you’re getting the base game and nothing else. You’re still able to download the Assassin’s Creed and Iron Man-inspired costumes from the Ubisoft Club, but the Danger Deck content and the most recent From Dusk Till Casa Bonita pack will have to be further purchased via the Nintendo eShop later. Now, I played The Fractured but Whole to death on release, even playing through it a second time after my review which compelled me to buy the Season Pass which was available before the announcement of the Switch version, so imagine my dismay when they announced there would be no DLC included.
Hell, that’s my one and only complaint. You’re still getting a portable version of the full game here. It’s still a hilarious, obscure and often inappropriate adventure sparking from finding a missing cat. There’s still loads of great side quests, wild boss fights (Morgan Freeman being a clear-cut highlight) and all of South Park to explore. Your parents still hate each other secretly, and Shelly Marsh still calls everyone a turd. It’s all here, and being able to play it in the palm of your hands is fantastic. I’d probably recommend you wear headphones though, especially when you get to the priests.
There is nothing more I can say about the Switch version of South Park: The Fractured but Whole, you’re basically getting the same experience as other consoles, except you can play it anywhere. It’s still a fantastic game, and it’s still a 10 out of 10.
Developer: Ubisoft
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch
Release Date: 24th April 2018
