Nintendo Switch Port Review: BioShock The Collection

 

As with all Port Reviews, this is the review of the port itself and if you want to read our full review of BioShock: The Collection, you can find it at the bottom of this article.

It quite baffles me that the original BioShock that released in 2007 is 13 years old this year and what started-off to be considered as a spiritual successor to System Shock (which it still is), the BioShock series has more than morphed into its own iconic franchise and despite seeing multiple releases on multiple platforms, across two generations, fans such as myself cannot get enough of re-visiting the sinister worlds of Rapture and Columbia.  The latest re-release comes to the Nintendo Switch, which are in essence, ports of 2016’s BioShock: The Collection, featuring remastered versions of BioShock, BioShock 2 and BioShock: Infinite, all with previously released DLC, as well as some extra bonus features such as development commentary on the original game from Ken Levine and Shawn Robertson.

If you ask different BioShock fans which is their favourite in the series, most will probably say the original and then you might find a torn reaction between BioShock 2, and BioShock: Infinite, but regardless of where your opinion lands, it’s hard to argue that at least two of the three main games are considered to be cult classics.  While returning fans will never quite have that same feeling of sensation when you first venture into the utopia that is Rapture for the very first time, there’s still something very special when the original game begins and the game only becomes more dark and sinister, as you learn about the secrets of Rapture, and then of course, you have that iconic conclusion, which I won’t spoil here, just in case you’re new to this series.

BioShock 2 had an uphill task the moment it was announced and is criminally underrated in this trilogy, with Ken Levine not being on the development team, but for me, it’s a fantastic game in its own right and I think in more recent years, it’s starting to be held in a much more high regard, something that it most certainly deserves in my humble opinion.  The sequel takes place around eight years after the original, and not only does it expand upon the series lore, but it also has some very memorable gameplay sequences involving the Little Sisters and has you playing as a Big Daddy.  BioShock 2 also has one of my all-time favourite expansions of its generation in Minerva’s Den.  It is worth noting, that just like the 2016 BioShock: The Collection release, the multiplayer mode has been removed from BioShock 2: Remastered, which in fairness, was likely due to the fact of the servers struggling to be filed so late in its life cycle.

Then we have BioShock: Infinite, and for me personally, while the original game is my favourite, BioShock: Infinite is a close second for me and with it being set in the year 1912 (the first two games are set in the 1960’s).  This third instalment acts as a prequel to the series and its here that you learn much about the origins of Rapture and its maker, Andrew Ryan.  In BioShock: Infinite, you play as former Pinkerton agent, Booker DeWitt (played by Troy Baker), who is living life in the last chance saloon and his only hope of redemption, is by saving a woman by the name of Elizabeth.  However, once thought as a simple get in, get out mission, this proves to be nothing of the sort.

Rather than being deep within the ocean’s lair, BioShock: Infinite is set in the heavenly skies of Columbia.  However, while Columbia may look like a home to God, it is far from it with the city with its inhabitants being under the influence of its maker and self-prophet, Zachery Hale Comstock.  Columbia is filled with just as many dark secrets as Rapture, if not more so with it being shrouded deep in racism, religion and discrimination.  BioShock: Infinite also has one hell of a mind-blowing and memorable conclusion to rival that of the original game, which likely has a lot to do with the return of Ken Levine on the development team.  You also get three pieces of DLC with BioShock: Infinite: The Complete Collection, the fun wave-based mode Clash in the Clouds, and a brilliant two-part expansion Burial at Sea, which ties in brilliantly to the first game.

But how does each of these three games play on the Nintendo Switch?  Well in most part, they all play brilliantly as they do benefit from featuring the remastered assets of 2016, but when comparing them by switching from my PS4 Pro and Nintendo Switch via the HDMI port, the difference is quite noticeable as you might expect, and I would say that they fall short of current-gen consoles, but are significantly better to that of the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions.  But of course, like all Switch games, having the option of playing the BioShock: The Collection on the go, is something that no other current console can offer.  However, I will say that each of the three games don’t feel as slick to play compared to other platforms when using the Joy-Cons, so if you have access to a Pro Controller, then I recommend that to be your method of play, at least when playing docked.

When the Switch is docked and you’re playing via the TV, each game will put out a resolution of 1080p, and 720p when in handheld, and whether you’re playing handheld or docked, each games runs at around 30 frames-per-second, though I did notice some slow-down during more hectic sequences, from time to time.  Blind Squirrel Games how have done a great job in handling this port, and they have also made the wise decision to pre-render the in-game cut-scenes, rather than them being in real-time, which helps the game run much more smoothly.  It is worth mentioning that having all three games playable on the Switch, you will need to make use of a Micro SD memory card, because the system memory won’t quite cut it.  Even when purchasing this game in its physical form with a cartridge, BioShock Remastered takes up 7.1GB, BioShock 2: Remastered 5.4GB and BioShock: Infinite: The Complete Collection taking up a meatier 17.6GB.

All in all, while its quite unfair to compare the visual and performance directly to the PS4 and Xbox One versions, but these ports do hold up rather well and it feels special being able to play this fantastic series on the go, especially as we never did get that BioShock PS Vita game announced at E3 2011, which was believed to be something similar to that of Final Fantasy Tactics.  This series is easily one of the most beloved, intriguing and dark series of all-time and has firmly established itself as a classic, and despite being around since 2007 and making leaps to a new generation, this series still feels fresh as it did all those years ago.  On the Nintendo Switch, it’s breathed new life into this iconic series, like no other system can.  Whether you’re a returning fan or new to the world of BioShock, you’re going to be in for one hell of a ride from start to finish, with memories and moments that could last a life time.  Now if you could “kindly” share my review, I would be very grateful.

• As promised, here is our full review of BioShock: The Collection.