Rocket League has just been announced for the Nintendo Switch, and while it’s awesome to see a popular game support Nintendo’s latest console, the bigger news is the lines continue to blur for online console play.
Rocket League will be cross-platform compatible with PC and Xbox One gamers when it is released for the Nintendo Switch. This means that you can play with your friends on any platform you want (excluding the PS4). This is kind of huge in regards to the history of video games, and it’s even more surprising that a large online innovation like this is coming from Nintendo.
There had been talks a while back about Rocket League becoming cross-platform compatible between the Xbox One and PS4, but Sony was reported to have ended the discussion. As of right now, PS4 players can play with players on Steam, and Xbox One players can play with people who bought the game through the Windows Store on Windows 10.
The Switch version of Rocket League will feature all the same content as the other versions, and even has a few exclusive items. Like other versions, local multiplayer will be supported, but the press release doesn’t mention if you will need two full controllers to play with a friend or if you’ll each be able to play with just a single joycon. Exclusive customization items and even battle-cars will be only available on Nintendo’s latest console, with a confirmation that players will be able to add Mario and Luigi hats to cars.
No release date has been set for Rocket League on the Switch, but the trailer does mention there is a plan to release around the 2017 holiday season. Expect this game to release in late November or early December.
One interesting thing to keep in mind is how the Nintendo Switch Online service will handle Rocket League. The service doesn’t officially release until 2018, but is free to use until it is released. While you can play online right now with a Switch, and it works fairly well based on my limited use when playing ARMS, we’ll see how things go when you add other consoles into the mix.
So what do you think? Are you excited to see video games that let you play against your friends on other consoles? Will you be getting Rocket League for the Switch, or are you going to stick to the platform you already have? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below?
