Honestly, it’s a bit weird that we’re still talking about a game that originally came out when the PS4 was the "new" thing. But here we are. LEGO Marvel Superheroes Switch exists in this strange vacuum where it’s simultaneously a retro throwback and one of the most played titles on Nintendo’s hybrid console. It’s not just about nostalgia. It’s about the fact that TT Games somehow captured lightning in a bottle back in 2013, and that lightning still shocks you today.
You’ve probably seen the newer titles. LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2 had the Chronopolis thing going on, and LEGO DC Super-Villains definitely polished the mechanics. But there is a specific, chaotic energy in the original New York City hub world that none of the sequels quite nailed. It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s full of weirdly specific Marvel references from an era before the MCU became a global monolith.
The Port That Took Its Sweet Time
Most people forget that the Switch version didn’t actually launch until 2021. That is an eight-year gap. You’d think an eight-year-old game would run like a dream on the Switch, right? Well, mostly. The game brings over all the DLC—Thor: The Dark World and the Spider-Man character packs—straight onto the cartridge or download. It’s the "Definitive Edition" in everything but name.
Performance is a mixed bag, though. Handheld mode looks surprisingly crisp. The 720p resolution on that small screen hides a lot of the aging textures. When you dock it, you start to see the seams. Shadows flicker. The draw distance in Manhattan can get a little crunchy when you’re flying as Iron Man. But it holds a steady 30fps for the most part, which is more than I can say for some of the more "modern" LEGO ports that struggle to keep up with their own particle effects.
Why Manhattan Still Beats Chronopolis
The open world is the heart of the experience. In LEGO Marvel Superheroes Switch, Manhattan is a dense, recognizable playground. You have the SHIELD Helicarrier hovering above, the Baxter Building, Stark Tower, and the X-Mansion. It feels cohesive. In the sequel, they tried to mash different timelines together, and it felt disjointed. Here? You just jump off the Helicarrier and skydive down to Times Square. It’s seamless. It feels like a city.
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There’s something incredibly satisfying about switching from Captain America to a massive character like Hulk and just smashing through a hot dog stand. The "Big Figures" were a relatively new thing back then. Seeing them on a handheld device without the game crashing is still a minor miracle.
The Roster is a Time Capsule
Looking at the character list is like looking at a Marvel history book from the pre-merger era. You have the X-Men. You have the Fantastic Four. These characters were almost entirely scrubbed from LEGO Marvel 2 because of the licensing drama between Disney and Fox at the time.
Playing as Wolverine or Mr. Fantastic feels like a luxury now.
- Spider-Man's web-swinging feels weightier here than in the sequels.
- The voice acting is top-tier, featuring legends like Nolan North and Troy Baker.
- Stan Lee is everywhere. Literally. You have to rescue him 50 times to unlock him as a playable character. He has the powers of everyone. It’s ridiculous.
Combat, Puzzles, and the LEGO Formula
Let's be real: you aren't playing this for Sekiro-level combat. You press one button. You punch a guy; he turns into plastic bits. You collect the bits. It’s digital bubble wrap. It's therapeutic.
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The puzzles are the standard "use character X to pull handle Y" variety. If you’ve played one LEGO game, you know the drill. However, the Switch version benefits immensely from the console's pick-up-and-play nature. Solving a quick puzzle at the Raft or finishing a race through the streets of Soho during a 15-minute commute is exactly how this game should be played.
It handles the co-op situation okay, too. The dynamic split-screen is still there. It’s divisive. Some people love how it twists and turns; others find it nauseating. On a small Switch screen in tabletop mode, it’s a bit of a nightmare. If you're going to play with a friend, do yourself a favor and plug it into the TV. Your eyes will thank you.
Glitches: The Uninvited Guests
We have to talk about the bugs. TT Games are notorious for "LEGO jank." Even on the Switch, you’ll find characters getting stuck in the geometry. Sometimes a script won’t trigger, and you’ll have to restart a level. It’s frustrating, but it’s part of the charm? Maybe not charm, but it's expected.
One common issue on the Switch version is the audio sync in cutscenes. Occasionally, the dialogue will lag behind the animation. It doesn't break the game, but it reminds you that this is a port of a port.
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The Technical Reality of 2026
If you're picking this up today, you’re likely finding it on a massive eShop sale. Is it worth the $20-40? Absolutely. There are over 150 characters. The campaign is a solid 10-12 hours, but 100% completion will take you closer to 40.
The touch screen support is minimal, which is a missed opportunity. You'd think they would let you swap characters with a tap, but nope. You’re stuck with the radial menu. It’s fine. It works.
How to Maximize Your Playthrough
If you want to actually enjoy LEGO Marvel Superheroes Switch without losing your mind, focus on the Red Bricks early. These are the "cheat" items. Specifically, look for the Stud Multipliers. Once you get the x2 and x4 bricks, the game's economy breaks in the best way possible. You stop worrying about collecting every single coin and start focusing on the actual missions.
Also, don't sleep on the side quests in the hub world. Some of the best writing in the game is tucked away in the random interactions with NPCs on the street. It’s self-aware. It’s funny. It’s a version of the Marvel Universe that doesn’t take itself too seriously—a refreshing change from the heavy stakes of the current films.
Actionable Steps for New Players
- Prioritize the "A-Next" and "Fantastic Four" missions: These unlock the best utility characters for the hub world.
- Get to the Helicarrier immediately: Use the computer there to enter cheat codes if you want to skip the grind for characters like Silver Surfer.
- Check your storage: The digital version is around 12GB. Make sure your microSD card isn't at its limit, as the game needs extra space for save data and caching.
- Turn off the dynamic split-screen: Go into the settings and lock it to vertical. It makes co-op infinitely less confusing.
This game remains a benchmark for what a licensed title can be when the developers actually care about the source material. It’s not perfect, but it’s arguably the best superhero game on the Nintendo Switch for sheer volume of content and heart. Grab a controller, jump off that Helicarrier, and try not to get stuck in a wall. It's a blast.