It doesn’t look like an MTG Arena is coming to the Nintendo Switch anytime soon. With a release date far beyond our estimations, it’s not looking like good news for TCG fans on Nintendo consoles. Though MTG Arena looks like it’s coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X/S in the future, we’re going to be waiting a while to see it run on traditional handhelds.
Can you play MTG Arena on Nintendo Switch?
As of now, MTG Arena cannot be played on the Nintendo Switch. The game has been expanding its platform availability since its initial release on PC, including a launch on macOS and mobile devices, but the Nintendo Switch has not been part of this expansion. We’re expecting a MTG Arena PS5 release date eventually, though the Switch’s remains a mystery still.
(Image Credit: WotC, Tuan Duong Chu)
Currently, playing MTG Arena on an iPad, iPhone, Android device, or a handheld gaming PC is the only real option to take MTG on the go with you, other than taking your precious Commander decks with you. That’s not always feasible though, unfortunately.
Why is MTG Arena not on Nintendo Switch?
The main reason MTG Arena is not on the Nintendo Switch appears to be technical and platform-specific challenges. The Nintendo Switch has different architectural and performance characteristics compared to traditional consoles like Xbox and PlayStation, which might complicate the porting process. Additionally, Wizards of the Coast, the company behind MTGA, has not indicated plans to expand to the Nintendo Switch as of the latest statements.
Will it ever come?
Currently, there is no official plan or announcement regarding MTG Arena coming to the Nintendo Switch. Chris Cocks, CEO of Wizards of the Coast, in a recent statement, did not mention the Nintendo Switch as a platform under consideration for MTGA. While the Switch’s portability and touchscreen would make it an appealing platform for the game, the different architecture and performance requirements seem to be significant hurdles.
News of a MTG Arena release date on Nintendo Switch doesn’t seem likely, yet
As Wizards of the Coast gear up for releases for MTG Arena on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, it’s possible that a Nintendo Switch release date could find its way into the works shortly after. The technical limitations of the Nintendo Switch in its current state make it clear that an MTG Arena release wouldn’t be on the cards. That said, this year could see a new version of the console released that could usher Wizards to consider it. In fact, if there is a Nintendo Switch 2 on the way anytime soon, it very well could coincide with an MTG Arena for Switch release.
If we had to speculate on a MTG Arena release date for the Nintendo Switch, we’d estimate that Q4 2024 is the earliest we could see it, though that’s likely a pipe-dream. 2025 seems most likely.
Pokémon TCG (the original game) and Yu Gi Oh! Legacy of the Duelist: Link Evolution! are both available on the Nintendo Switch, among a host of other TCGs.