LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight was released earlier this year on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, offering a much more ambitious take on the LEGO Batman formula. It features a full open world and a story that brings together different parts of Batman’s history, drawing from older games, comics, retro series and other interpretations of the character. As a Batman fan, I found this particularly impressive, as the story feels like a throwback to the classic Batman comics while bringing many of those influences together in a single game. From a gameplay perspective, it also takes clear inspiration from the Batman: Arkham series, adapting that style of gameplay to the LEGO formula.
I originally played the game on PS5, but this review focuses specifically on the Switch 2 version. There are some visual compromises compared with the PS5 release, but they are not severe enough to make the Switch 2 version feel like a heavily downgraded experience. The biggest difference is resolution. On PS5, the game offers a 4K 30 FPS mode as well as a performance mode that uses dynamic resolution while targeting 60 FPS. The Switch 2 version does not have a 60 FPS option, instead targeting 30 FPS at a dynamic 1080p resolution.
There are some other reductions to the visual quality as well. Texture quality is slightly lower in certain areas, particularly environmental textures, while character models remain fairly similar to the PS5 version. Reflections have also been reduced in quality, and the level of detail has been scaled back. This is most noticeable in Gotham City, where the number of NPCs and vehicles has been reduced. Alongside the lower resolution and 30 FPS target, these are the most noticeable differences between the two versions.
Despite these compromises, the overall presentation remains surprisingly close to the PS5 version when the two are viewed side by side. Performance is also generally stable, with the game managing to maintain its 30 FPS target for the most part. I did notice some minor stuttering and slowdowns when destroying large numbers of LEGO bricks at once, so it is not a perfectly locked 30 FPS experience, but these issues are relatively minor.
I also played the new Joker and Harley Quinn DLC on Switch 2, and I was quite impressed with how it was handled. Rather than simply adding the two characters to the main game, it features a separate story mode that can be played independently of the main campaign. It focuses on Joker and Harley Quinn’s meeting and their subsequent escape, while also giving them a limited open world to explore. It is not a particularly large expansion, but the separate story and the dynamic between Joker and Harley make it an enjoyable addition.
Overall, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is a good Switch 2 port. The lack of a 60 FPS mode is disappointing, particularly when the PS5 version offers one, but given the game’s scale and visual ambition, the compromises made for Switch 2 are reasonable. The core experience remains intact, and outside of the resolution, reduced detail and lower frame rate target, the game still looks remarkably close to the PS5 version. If you have not played LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight yet, the Switch 2 version is a solid way to experience it, especially if you are a fan of Batman or the LEGO series.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Game Information
- Price: $69.99
- Publisher: Warner Bros. Games
- Developer: TT Games
- Platform: Switch 2 (Reviewed)
- Disclaimer: A review code was provided by the publisher
