Many of us thought Persona 3 Reload was a thing of the past, but with a new console that just launched, you know what that means: a new port. The complete remake we got in 2024 has now landed on the Nintendo Switch 2. It brings the compelling story of SEES, all its gameplay changes, and some nice new features as well.
The graphics are the updated ones from the remake that make Persona 3 Reload look like Persona 5 or Metaphor: ReFantazio. Normally, we would think that the Nintendo Switch 2 wouldn’t be able to run a game boasting these visuals, but it does with a few compromises here and there. When in the school, Persona 3 Reload runs smoothly, with few frame drops or visual hiccups.
However, when entering Tartarus, things often take a turn, and frames can drop below the 30 mark. There are even some instances where the characters and some assets seem blurry, especially if you’re playing in docked mode. It is a rare case where the game looked better in handheld mode, so if you don’t mind playing it that way, it is a good approach.
Fortunately, in terms of systems and gameplay, it had a smooth transition from PC and consoles to the Nintendo Switch 2. The only minor complaint I have, and one thing I can’t wrap my head around, is why in menus or when I have to choose dialogue options, the Joy-Cons don’t work, and I can only move around with the D-pad. It might be a nitpick, but it’s something that seems so simple that it is strange that it wasn’t added to this port. Otherwise, there isn’t much difference in how the controls, exploration, or menus work within the game, and everything else felt smooth while playing on Nintendo’s latest console.
Overall, if you’re jumping into Persona 3 Reload for the first time and don’t have another console besides a Nintendo Switch 2, by all means, go ahead and experience this iconic Persona journey on it. However, there will be a few performance issues and visual bumps that will distract you from all the other great things this remake initially achieved. If you have the game on another platform, it is better to play it there, as there aren’t a lot of things that justify getting Persona 3 Reload for the second time, beyond wanting it on the go, of course.
