The Nintendo Switch version of Apex Legends is no longer playable. Apex Legends was originally released in 2019 as a hero shooter-spin on the battle royale genre. It was a massive hit out of the gate, becoming one of the top BRs of all time alongside other mainstays in the genre like Fortnite and PUBG. With Apex Legends being such a popular game, it’s no surprise that EA tried to bring it to as many platforms as possible.
A couple of years after Apex Legends was released for PC, PS4, and Xbox One, a Nintendo Switch port hit the scene. Unfortunately for Nintendo Switch gamers, Apex Legends famously struggled on the platform and was nowhere near the quality as the other versions of the game. Now, five years after Apex Legends was first released on the Nintendo Switch, it has shut down forever.
Apex Legends is No Longer on Switch
The Apex Legends Switch shutdown was announced months ago, so fans of the game on the platform have had plenty of time to prepare. Even so, it’s always disappointing whenever a game is shut down, and there are no doubt Switch 1 owners that are upset they can no longer play the game on their platform of choice. The good news is that Apex Legends remains playable elsewhere, so those on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC can still play it without interruption. In fact, it’s even possible to continue playing Apex Legends on a Nintendo console.
What’s That Weapon?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Easy (7.5s)Medium (5.0s)Hard (2.5s)Permadeath (2.5s)
An Apex Legends Switch 2 version was released in August of 2025, offering significant improvements compared to the Switch 1 version of the game. This way, Nintendo Switch gamers that have upgraded to the Switch 2 can keep playing Apex Legends on a Nintendo console if they so desire. The downside is that there are millions upon millions of Switch 1 gamers that have yet to buy a Switch 2. These individuals will be hurt most by the Apex Legends Switch 1 shutdown, but hopefully they can find a new way to play it soon, whether that’s on the Switch 2 or another platform.
With the Switch 1 hardware so outdated, it’s no surprise that Apex Legends has left it behind, and it’s possible other free-to-play multiplayer games will follow suit in the years ahead. It wouldn’t be surprising at all if it was eventually announced that Overwatch on Switch 1 is being shut down, especially since a native Switch 2 version of the game is now available, and the same could be said for Fortnite. Having to accommodate older hardware is holding these games back to some degree, and so it may be healthier for them in the long run to abandon old consoles like the Switch 1, even if it means cutting off a portion of their potential audience.
If you are someone that is thinking about upgrading from Switch 1 to Switch 2, you should note that a price increase is happening soon. Starting September 1, Switch 2 consoles will cost $499.99, a $50 increase from their current asking price. If you don’t want to pay $50 more for a Switch 2, you are running out of time to do so.
- Released
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February 4, 2019
- ESRB
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Teen / Blood, Violence, Users Interact, In-Game Purchases (Includes Random Items)
- Publisher(s)
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Electronic Arts
