One Piece Odyssey Switch Runs Much Better Than I Expected

We end up seeing games that didn’t normally appear on the Switch show up on the system all the time. Sometimes, these ports aren’t exactly what we expected. Or you might look at it and think it wouldn’t work. While I was pretty sure One Piece Odyssey would be fine once Bandai Namco released the Switch version, I was surprised at how well it works. Some visual and framerate compromises aside, it’s a pretty great way to play the game.

First, I was astonished by the One Piece Odyssey Switch loading times. Though, in this case, it was the lack of loading times. This is a substantial game with a lot of detail even in this port. Yet somehow, the loading is swifter than some pixelated or less demanding games I’ve played on the system. I’m not sure if some sort of wizardry is at play, but I expected at least 20 second loading times, and not often under 10 seconds. You do have to load between battles, but after the load times in a certain other Switch version of an RPG I played, it didn’t bother me.

As you might expect, the CG scenes all look great. Those movies that help propel this original One Piece story forward don’t lose anything in the transition to the Switch, even in handheld mode. I really appreciated how clear they were and how little is lost when the resolution dropped. Actual character models for allies and enemies in the field, as well as environmental elements, do take a hit when compared to when I played it on the PS5. It’s only natural. However, the portability made it worth it for me, since I was nearly exclusively testing out One Piece Odyssey in handheld mode. 

The only time One Piece Odyssey did seem to stutter in its performance on the Switch was when framerate got involved. I didn’t actually start seeing this immediately, because it seems the FPS issues only are an issue when you aren’t reliving the Straw Hat’s past experiences. I think it only happens happens in you’re in certain open areas, perhaps because of how much is being taken into account and displayed. But I didn’t experience too much of an issue in most battles or areas. It’s only occasionally that it seems to drastically dip.

I feel like the affordability issue is what really cinches it and makes the One Piece Odyssey Deluxe Edition Switch version seem so good. It’s $59.99 on the system. That gets you access to the additional Reunion of Memories storyline and three outfit sets. To compare, on Steam or the PlayStation Store the standard edition is that price. The Deluxe Edition is $84.99 on both of those platforms and, while you still get Reunion of Memories, also only includes an accessory set, 100,000 Berries, and a Sniper King outfit for Usopp. It is just a a much better deal. The additional scenario pack alone on Steam or other storefronts is $24.99.

In general, One Piece Odyssey fits shockingly well on the Switch. I didn’t expect the performance to be so smooth. Like yes, it absolutely ran and looked better on the PS5. But considering what it’s doing and how much is there, I didn’t feel like there were too many compromises. Besides, the result is getting another enjoyable JRPG on the system.

One Piece Odyssey is available on the PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X, and PC.