Look, let’s be real. The Nintendo Switch isn't exactly a powerhouse by modern standards. When Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 Switch first landed, a lot of us were skeptical. How was a handheld hybrid going to handle the chaotic, sprawling mess of Chronopolis? It’s a valid question. Honestly, after hundreds of hours across basically every platform this game exists on, the Switch version is a weird, beautiful, occasionally stuttery masterpiece that somehow feels like it was always meant for a portable screen.
You’ve got Kang the Conqueror—voiced by Peter Serafinowicz—literally ripping bits of time and space apart. It’s a massive game. It’s huge. We're talking 18 different locations from the Marvel Universe all smashed together. You can walk from the Noir-style New York straight into the neon-soaked streets of 2099 or the sandy dunes of Ancient Egypt. It's a trip. But there’s a lot people get wrong about this port, especially regarding the technical trade-offs and the actual roster depth compared to the original game.
What's Actually Different on the Nintendo Switch?
If you’re coming from a PS4 or a high-end PC, the first thing you’ll notice is the resolution. In handheld mode, Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 Switch targets 720p, but it’s a dynamic beast. It’ll dip. You’ll see some jagged edges on Iron Man’s armor or a bit of blurriness in the dense jungles of Wakanda. Docked mode is better, pushing toward 1080p, but the frame rate is the real talking point here.
The game targets 30 frames per second. Most of the time, it hits it. However, when you start using Thor’s lightning or Captain Marvel’s energy blasts in a room full of destructible Lego bricks, the Switch starts to sweat. You’ll feel those drops. It doesn’t break the game, but it’s there. Interestingly, TT Games used a different lighting engine for this sequel compared to the 2013 original, which makes the plastic textures look more like real-life Lego. On the Switch's OLED screen, those colors pop in a way that’s frankly distracting (in a good way).
One thing people often overlook is the load times. They’re long. Like, "go grab a sandwich" long when you first boot into Chronopolis. But once you’re in the open world, the streaming is actually pretty impressive. You can fly from one end of the map to the other without a loading screen, which is a minor miracle given the hardware.
The Roster: Why No X-Men?
This is the big one. The elephant in the room. If you played the first Lego Marvel game, you remember Wolverine, Magneto, and the Fantastic Four. They are gone. Every single one of them.
Why? Because back in 2017 when this game launched, licensing was a mess. Disney was pushing the Inhumans and the Guardians of the Galaxy over the Fox-controlled characters. It was a corporate tug-of-war that left fans in the lurch. Instead of Cyclops, you get characters like Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan), She-Hulk, and Spider-Gwen. Honestly? It works. It forces the game to dig deeper into the "weird" Marvel catalog. You get Forbush Man. You get Howard the Duck. You get Cosmo the Spacedog. It feels more like a love letter to the breadth of Marvel comics rather than just a movie tie-in.
Navigating Chronopolis on the Go
Chronopolis is the hub world. It’s not just a menu; it’s a living, breathing (well, as much as plastic can breathe) ecosystem.
- Manhattan (Noir): Very moody, black and white, great for Spidey fans.
- Sakaar: Bright, gladiatorial, and chaotic.
- Attilan: High-tech and sleek.
- Lemuria: Underwater, which is usually a pain in games, but Lego makes it snappy.
The Switch handles this open world surprisingly well. I’ve noticed that playing Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 Switch in short bursts during a commute is the "correct" way to play it. The missions are broken up into manageable chunks, usually about 15 to 20 minutes each. If you’re trying to 100% this thing, you’re looking at over 60 hours of gameplay. That’s a lot of Gold Bricks.
There are also those pink "Gwenpool" missions. They act as the "Red Brick" unlocks for this game. They’re shorter, weirder, and narrated by Gwenpool herself. They provide a much-needed break from the main Avengers-centric storyline.
The Combat and Mechanics Overhaul
Combat in Lego games used to be "mash the square button until things explode." It’s still mostly that, but there’s a bit more nuance here. Characters have "Combo Meters" now. If you keep hitting enemies without taking damage, you can trigger a special team-up move.
Also, the "Time Manipulation" mechanic is a core part of the puzzles. Since Kang is the villain, you often have to age or de-age objects. It's a clever way to use the environment, even if the puzzles aren't exactly Portal levels of difficulty. They’re designed for kids, but let's be honest, we've all been stuck on a Lego puzzle at 2:00 AM at least once.
Does the DLC Matter?
If you buy the Deluxe Edition of Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 Switch, you get the Season Pass. Is it worth it?
The DLC is heavily tied to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. You get packs for Black Panther, Infinity War, Ant-Man and the Wasp, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Each pack usually adds one new level and a handful of characters. The levels are okay—mostly repurposed assets—but the character additions are great. If you want the movie-accurate versions of these heroes, the Season Pass is basically mandatory. Plus, the Runaways and Cloak & Dagger packs add some much-needed diversity to the power sets.
Technical Nuances You Should Know
It’s not all sunshine and Studs. The Switch version has a few specific quirks.
Sometimes, the game will just crash. It’s rare, but in a 50-hour playthrough, expect it to happen maybe twice. Usually, it’s when there’s too much physics simulation happening at once. Another thing: the co-op. Playing split-screen on the Switch is... okay. If you’re in handheld mode, the screen is way too small for two people. On the TV, it’s fine, but the frame rate takes another hit. If you’re planning on playing through the whole game with a friend, be prepared for some stuttering.
The controls are remappable, which is a godsend. The default layout is fine, but I always swap the "special" and "jump" buttons to match more traditional platformers. Also, the gyro aiming? It’s here. It’s subtle, but it helps when you’re trying to aim Iron Man’s missiles at a specific silver Lego object.
Why This Game Specifically?
You might be wondering why you’d play this instead of Lego Marvel's Avengers or the first Lego Marvel Super Heroes.
The first game had a better roster (X-Men!). The Avengers game had the movie hype. But Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 Switch has the best world. Chronopolis is just more interesting than a standard New York City hub. The writing is also genuinely funny. It doesn't rely as much on slapstick; there’s some real wit in the dialogue, especially when it comes to the interactions between Rocket Raccoon and basically anyone else.
It’s a "comfort food" game. There’s something deeply satisfying about the sound of Lego studs clinking together. On the Switch, that satisfaction is portable.
Common Misconceptions
People think this is a "dumbed down" version of the console game. It isn't. It is the full game. Every level, every character, every line of dialogue is here. There are no "missing features" like we used to see on the 3DS or Vita versions of Lego games. This is the real deal, just with a slightly lower resolution.
Another myth is that it’s "too easy." While you can’t really "die" (you just lose studs), getting 100% completion is genuinely challenging. Some of the races and hidden puzzles require decent reflexes and a good understanding of which character has which specific ability. Digging into the menus to find a character with "Gravity Mine" capabilities or "Telekinesis" becomes a meta-puzzle in itself.
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How to Optimize Your Experience
If you're going to dive in, here are a few things to keep in mind to make it smoother.
First, turn off the "Motion Blur" in the settings if you can. It helps the visual clarity on the small screen. Second, don't ignore the side quests. They seem like filler, but they’re how you unlock the most interesting characters. And finally, use the "Map Points." You can fast-travel around Chronopolis, which saves you a lot of flying time if you're just trying to mop up collectibles.
The "Custom Character" creator is also surprisingly deep. You can mix and match powers in ways that are totally broken. Want a character with Captain America’s shield and Heat Vision? Go for it. It’s one of the best iterations of the character creator in any Lego game.
Actionable Next Steps for New Players
If you just picked up Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2 Switch, don't get overwhelmed by the map. It's a lot. Focus on the main story first.
- Finish the Campaign: You need to finish the story to unlock the "Free Play" ability for all levels. Most collectibles are impossible to get on your first pass anyway.
- Prioritize "Attract Studs": As soon as you get enough Gwenpool bricks, unlock the stud magnet. It makes collecting currency infinitely less tedious.
- Check the Newsstand: There are newspapers scattered around Chronopolis that give you hints about hidden secrets. They're easy to miss but very helpful.
- Go for the Flying Characters: Early on, try to unlock a character who can fly. It makes navigating the hub world ten times faster than walking or driving.
The game is a massive time sink, but it’s the good kind. It’s a digital toy box. Even with the technical limitations of the Switch, the sheer amount of content and the charm of the Marvel universe make it a standout title for the platform. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely one of the best Lego games ever made.
When you're done with the story, head over to the Avengers Mansion. There’s a trophy room that fills up as you progress, and seeing it slowly get crowded with your achievements is one of the most rewarding parts of the loop. Just take it slow, enjoy the puns, and don't worry too much about the occasional frame drop. It’s plastic, after all. It’s meant to be a little messy.