Honestly, nobody thought it would work. When Hazelight Studios announced that It Takes Two Nintendo Switch was becoming a reality, the collective gaming community kind of held its breath. We’re talking about a game that won Game of the Year in 2021, known for its dense, physics-heavy environments and a screen that is constantly split in two. That’s double the rendering. On a handheld chip from 2017.
It seemed like a recipe for a blurry, low-frame-rate disaster.
But then Turn Me Up Games—the wizards who handled the port—actually released it. And you know what? It’s arguably one of the most impressive technical feats on the platform, right up there with The Witcher 3 and Doom Eternal. It isn’t perfect, obviously. You can’t shrink a high-fidelity Frostbite engine game down to a tablet without making some sacrifices. However, if you’re looking for the definitive co-op experience on the go, this version holds its own in ways that defy the spec sheet.
The Technical Wizardry Behind the Port
How do you fit a massive, cinematic adventure onto a Switch cartridge? You compromise. But you have to compromise in the right places.
If you play It Takes Two Nintendo Switch docked, you’re looking at a resolution that targets 720p, though it frequently dips during heavy action. Handheld mode is a bit tougher, often hovering around 540p. To the spec-heads, those numbers look grim. In practice, though, the vibrant art style saves it. Josef Fares and his team built a world that is so saturated with color and distinct shapes that the lower resolution doesn't kill the vibe. You’ll notice some jagged edges on Cody’s clay skin or May’s wooden textures, sure. Yet, the animation remains fluid.
The frame rate is the real hero here. It sticks to a mostly solid 30fps. In a game that requires precise platforming and twitch-reflex boss fights, a stable 30 is infinitely better than a shaky 60.
One of the biggest changes involves the lighting. On PS5 or PC, the game uses complex global illumination. On Switch, things are simplified. Some shadows are baked-in, and the "bloom" effect is dialed back. Does it look "worse"? Technically, yes. Does it change the gameplay? Not even a little bit.
What You Actually Get in the Box
Unlike some other "Cloud Versions" that haunt the Nintendo eShop (looking at you, Kingdom Hearts), this is a native port. You download the data, and it runs on your hardware. No input lag from servers. No needing a NASA-grade Wi-Fi connection just to jump over a vacuum cleaner.
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The Friend’s Pass is still the best deal in gaming. Basically, only one person needs to own the full game. Your partner can download the Friend’s Pass version for free, and you can play the entire campaign together. This works for both online play and local wireless. It’s a consumer-friendly move that more developers should honestly copy.
Why the Nintendo Switch Might Actually Be the Best Way to Play
There is something fundamentally "Nintendo" about It Takes Two. It’s a game about a divorcing couple—Cody and May—who get turned into dolls by their daughter’s magic book. It’s whimsical, it’s dark, it’s funny, and it’s constantly changing its mechanics. One minute you’re playing a third-person shooter with honey-guns, the next you’re in a top-down dungeon crawler or a rhythm game.
It feels like a lost Nintendo EAD project from the GameCube era.
Playing it on the Switch feels right because of the console's inherent "pick up and play" nature. You can pop out the kickstand on a plane, hand a Joy-Con to your partner, and suddenly a boring flight is a quest to defeat an angry toolbox.
The Joy-Con Problem
Let’s be real for a second. The Joy-Cons aren't the best way to experience this. The game uses almost every button, and the small analog sticks can make the flying sequences (especially the owl-riding parts) a bit of a nightmare. If you have Pro Controllers, use them. Your thumbs will thank you.
Also, communication is everything. It Takes Two is literally impossible to play alone. There is no single-player mode. The Switch doesn’t have a built-in party chat system like PlayStation or Xbox, so if you’re playing online, you’re probably going to end up on a Discord call or a FaceTime on your phone. It’s a bit clunky, but that’s just the "Nintendo tax" we all pay for the portability.
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Breaking Down the Performance Gaps
When we look at It Takes Two Nintendo Switch compared to the "big" consoles, the load times are the most noticeable hurdle. On a PS5, you’re in the game in seconds. On Switch, you have enough time to go grab a glass of water while the "Cuckoo Clock" level loads. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a reminder of the hardware's limits.
Then there’s the split-screen.
In most versions of the game, the split-screen is a stylistic choice. On the Switch’s 6.2-inch (or 7-inch OLED) screen, it’s a necessity that can feel a bit cramped. If you’re playing in handheld mode, you are looking at a very small window of action. It works, but the OLED model is almost a requirement here just to keep the contrast high enough to see what’s happening in the darker levels, like the basement.
Common Misconceptions About the Switch Version
- "It’s a watered-down experience." Nope. Every single level, cutscene, and mini-game from the original is here. Nothing was cut for space.
- "Local wireless is laggy." Surprisingly, it’s very stable. Playing with two Switches in the same room is arguably the best way to play if you don't want to hog the TV.
- "It requires a constant internet connection." Only for online play. The local co-op works perfectly offline.
The Emotional Core That Transcends Hardware
The reason people still talk about this game years after release isn't because of the 4K textures or the ray-tracing. It’s because the story hits like a freight train. Watching Cody and May navigate their failing relationship through the lens of a "The Book of Love" (voiced by the hilariously over-the-top Dr. Hakim) is genuinely moving.
It tackles some heavy stuff. Neglect, lost passions, the way parents accidentally traumatize their kids—it's all there. But it’s wrapped in a package that is so fun you almost forget you’re in a therapy session. The Switch version preserves all of that. The voice acting is crisp, the music is soaring, and the emotional beats land just as hard on a small screen as they do on a cinema display.
How to Get the Most Out of It Takes Two Nintendo Switch
If you’re about to dive in, don’t just rush through the main path. The world is littered with "mini-games" that are essentially small competitive breaks. There’s a whack-a-mole game where Cody is the mole. There’s a tank battle. There’s even a snowball fight. These add hours to the playtime and provide a nice break from the puzzle-solving.
Also, be prepared for the "Elephant in the room." If you know, you know. No matter what platform you play on, that specific scene is going to haunt your dreams. The Switch’s portability doesn't make it any less traumatizing.
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Final Technical Checklist
- Storage: You’ll need about 14GB of space if you’re downloading it. Make sure your microSD card isn't at capacity.
- Updates: Ensure you’ve downloaded the latest patches. Turn Me Up Games released several "day one" style updates that significantly improved the texture filtering and solved some crash issues in the "Rose's Room" chapter.
- Controller Sync: If you’re playing local co-op on one console, make sure your controllers are fully charged. The game is long—about 12 to 15 hours—and you don't want a Joy-Con dying during a boss phase.
It Takes Two Nintendo Switch proves that "impossible" ports are usually just a matter of effort and smart engineering. It’s a masterclass in co-op design that feels right at home on Nintendo’s hybrid. While the visual compromises are evident, they quickly fade into the background once you start soaring through the air on a fidget spinner or fighting a gang of squirrels on a flying plane.
Next Steps for Players:
- Download the Friend’s Pass: Even if you aren't sure about buying the full game, have your co-op partner download the Friend's Pass. You can play the entire first level for free to see how the performance feels on your specific setup.
- Check Your NAT Type: If playing online, ensure your Switch NAT type is 'A' or 'B' to avoid connection drops, which can be frequent in the Switch's peer-to-peer networking.
- Calibrate Your Screen: Go into the game settings and slightly bump up the brightness and contrast, especially if you have the standard V1 or V2 Switch, as the darker segments can be difficult to navigate in handheld mode.