The Best Way to Play Stardew Valley Is on the Switch

One of the most beautiful parts about Stardew Valley is that it is available pretty much everywhere in the gaming world. Don’t have a gaming PC? Not a problem, as you can play it on console. Don’t have a dedicated game console, either? You can play on a mobile device. But if you want the best platform to play Stardew Valley, I feel the Nintendo Switch version still stands tall at the top.

Right off the bat, one of my favorite features of the Switch version of this beloved indie farming sim is its price. It is already pretty darn cheap at only $14.99, which is more than a bargain. Stardew Valley has more high-quality content than many full retail AAA games I’ve played. Better yet, it is the same price on Switch as everywhere else, at least in North America.

The consistent price might sound like an odd benefit, but there are a fair number of indie games that are slightly more expensive on Switch than Steam. Plus, there are occasionally sales as well on this game. Beyond that, there are no performance or visual sacrifices you have to make playing this game on Switch.

The game is older than Switch and in 2D, so it runs perfectly on there. If you happen to have a Nintendo Switch OLED version, it is even better. The crisp, colorful, and bright visuals look the most stunning on the OLED screen than any other platform. But, more importantly than that, there is the matter of the Switch’s hybrid nature.

Unlike the other consoles, PC, and even mobile, you have immediate access to the most play options on Switch. You can, of course, play in handheld mode if you want and take the farming experience anywhere you like in the entire world. But you can also slide the Switch in the dock and instantly start playing on your TV at home in any room you want.

The other platforms may offer that, such as PlayStation Remote Play, or hooking up a Steam Deck to a monitor or TV, but they all have various constraints or loops to go through. The Switch version just works without any problems. And then there is the matter of presumed backwards compatibility with the unannounced Nintendo Switch 2.

We know the Switch 2 will be backwards compatible with the original Switch’s games. This will include Stardew Valley. So you could can enjoy the farming sim right now on the original Switch, then benefit from the power of the console’s successor in the future as well. It is clear to me that if you want to play the base Stardew Valley, the best platform is always Switch.

However, there is one downside to the Switch version: the inability to use mods. Mods are such a massive part of this farming sim title. It lets you customize how characters look, add new content, and change your farm. The mod community for Stardew Valley is one of the best in all of PC gaming. As such, there is a clear runner-up for the best platform to play Stardew Valley.

That runner-up is none other than the Steam Deck. It plays this game beautifully, even with its less-than-impressive power. In addition, it is simple enough to use mods with the likes of Nexus Mods. Plus, it can hook up to an external TV or monitor if you have the right equipment. That said, it is a pricey and sometimes frustrating way to play. As such, if you don’t care about mods, Nintendo Switch is the way to go.

In the end, Nintendo Switch feels like the Stardew Valley. It plays flawlessly, looks the most graphically impressive on the OLED screen, and, best of all, you can play it anywhere. At home, on the couch, laying in bed, at the coffee shop, on the plane, at school, and so on. If you want the easiest and best platform to play Stardew Valley, it is hands down Nintendo Switch.

Stardew Valley is available right now for the Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, PC, and mobile devices. It also appeared on the Vita.