We analyzed the ports of Borderlands 1, Borderlands 2 and The Pre-Sequel on Nintendo Switch, already available as part of the Legendary Collection.
The first three installments of the Borderlands saga are now available on Nintendo Switch through the "Legendary Collection," which includes Borderlands 1, Borderlands 2, and The Pre-Sequel along with various additional content DLCs. Gearbox and 2K Games (in addition to Ture Me Up Games by Fractured Byte, port managers) propose to return to Pandora to relive a series of crazy action adventures or discover them for the first time in a different way. After playing the titles in this new version, we bring you an Reviews of them and indicate the main differences they present with respect to their original versions.
3 different stories in one pack
Despite belonging to the shooter genre, this first Borderlands trilogy has an important weight in its plot and in the way it unfolds through various main and secondary missions. In the version that we are dealing with, none of this has been retouched, but rather it is 1-1 with respect to what we already experienced when we put ourselves at the controls (or with mouse and PC) of the corresponding titles for the first time.
For starters, a characteristic of the Borderlands saga is that it allows us to choose between different types of pre-created characters at the beginning. Each of them has special characteristics and skills, which we can improve later thanks to the RPG aspect of the saga. For example, in the first Borderlands we can choose between Lilith (a mermaid with a special power that stops time and allows her to move around the stage), Brick (a tank that loves explosive weapons and attacks with her own fists), Mordecai ( a hunter who manages snipers and travels accompanied by Bloodwing, his eagle) and Roland (a soldier whose special ability allows him to deploy a turret).
In Borderlands 2 and The Pre-sequel we find different characters but the classes are maintained to a certain extent, so we will always find a protagonist who best fits our personal tastes. In addition, the Gearbox saga presents us with an interesting universe that goes beyond a few badass conversations and whose plot has continuity throughout the installments. For this reason, if we have not yet entered the saga and we are interested or if we have any of the pending titles, opting for a collection so that it brings them all together in their remastered versions (and adds DLC at no additional cost) is a option to consider.
Lots of weapons, quality loot, and customization options
Being a shooter, the most interesting playable section is weapons. In the Borderlands saga we find a large number of them ranging from pistols and shotguns to rocket launchers and sniper rifles. Despite the fact that each of the classes is specialized in a type of weapon, we can use the one we want regardless of the character we carry. We can obtain them both from the bodies of our enemies as well as from chests or vending machines in which Marcus offers a wide arsenal to equip us.
The distinctive aspect of the weapons of the saga is that they present very diverse characteristics such as elemental ammunition (fire, toxic, ice, etc.) or effects such as attaching grenades to enemy bodies, among others. Since we cannot edit them and we have to trust what we have, something that will happen is that we will constantly change the weapons we carry with us in order to face the increasing dangers that are presented to us.
In the portable mode offered by Nintendo Switch it is somewhat uncomfortable for the control of certain weapons, especially if we shoot at a distance. The main reason is due to the reduced size of the screen, since it will be difficult to distinguish the most distant enemies and read according to which subtitles or letters of the game menus. In dock mode, connected to the television, it can be controlled considerably better, although as it is a shooter we would always recommend using the mouse and keyboard to obtain the best possible precision.
An additional option offered by this port on Switch is the "motion control", which we can enable or disable at any time in the game menu. By having it active we can separate the joy-con and, with the right one, aim manually when moving it to decide where the camera is directed. It is an interesting option but in practice it is not very useful and somewhat chaotic, especially to follow those enemies who do not stop moving.
The customization options remain as in the original titles. They expand the possibilities and vary somewhat in each game. In Borderlands 2, for example, there are more options than in the original installment, and the "Fart Rank" is added. By completing challenges, such as killing a certain number of enemy skaggs, we will obtain points that we can redeem for permanent bonuses such as increased grenade damage, weapon accuracy, or reduced recoil, for example.
Play solo or multiplayer online
One of the functions that is maintained in these ports for Switch is the option to enjoy the campaigns alone or in company, either in local mode on a split screen or via the Internet with up to 4 players. It is especially recommended for those moments when a confrontation against a certain boss is uphill for us or simply when we want to enjoy the adventure together with other pagers, something that can make it even more interesting to complete each mission and explore Pandora and the rest. of scenarios available in each of the three games.
Even so, since we do not have cross-play, we can only join other players who are with the same version as us. Therefore, we found a barrier when trying to establish connection with other players via online. Added to this are the usual Wi-Fi connection problems in the Nintendo console since, especially in portable mode, it will depend a lot on our connection speed and how close we are to the router, something that cannot always be kept stable if, for example, we play from bed and switch to the sofa during a certain game.
Graphics and technical performance on Switch
The cell-shading characteristic of the Borderlands saga suits you very well on the screen of the Nintendo Switch. Graphically, it has been adapted to both the 720p of the portable mode and the 1080p of the mode connected to the television. Where we most notice it is in Borderlands 1, as it is palpable that it has received a facelift to present brighter colors and a higher resolution than it had in its original version.
As for the technical section, it usually holds the refresh rate of 30 FPS less on certain occasions, in which there are wild action scenes on screen and the FPS drop slightly. Still, it is nothing serious and does not complicate the gaming experience, but we should mention some rather long loading screens that stop the action for a few moments even in the scenes where tutorials appear. As for the vibration of the console, we consider that it is somewhat excessive in portable mode but having the joy-con separated it becomes a somewhat more precise mechanics and to be thankful for feeling more immersed in the action and the shootings that Borderlands presents.
Finally, its sound section remains as we remember it. To a soundtrack to remember and quality dubbing in Spanish are added various careful sound effects to make us feel that we are playing a Borderlands and not any other shooter. All this makes the "Legendary Collection" a good port that fully respects the original version and adapts as best as possible to the characteristics of the console for which it is intended.
CONCLUSION
The Borderlands Legendary Collection brings together the first two installments and The Pre-Sequel to make them land on Nintendo Switch in the best possible way. Although we always prefer keyboard and mouse control for shooters, it is an interesting experience to enjoy the Gearbox and 2K titles in portable mode. This can make controlling and mastering the action-packed shooting scenes somewhat difficult, in addition to clearly reading the lyrics of the subtitles or menus, but even so we will end up getting used to and appreciate being able to explore Pandora from the comfort of our bed, sofa or anywhere. Graphically, cell-shading adapts like a glove to the resolution of the Nintendo hybrid console and technically it does not fall short, since it maintains the promise of 1080p in TV mode and 720p native in portable mode, in addition to 30 FPS stable except on rare occasions. For all this, and if we consider that the DLC of the three games are included, it is a good opportunity to return to the Borderlands universe or to discover it for the first time and be able to switch between portable and TV modes at will and at all times.
THE BEST
- The possibility of being able to play Borderlands in portable mode
- Fully maintains the essence and characteristics of the originals
- Your local cooperative split-screen mode
- The fact of including the DLC within the pack
WORST
- A complicated control system to master
- Loading screens too long
- Excessive vibration in portable mode
Very good
Game with a remarkable finish that we will enjoy and remember. A good purchase, highly recommended for lovers of the genre. It is well cared for at all levels.
