Review - Star Wars: Outlaws Gold Edition for Nintendo Switch 2

Roberto Nieves
Oct 2
5 min read

Developer: Massive Entertainment

Publisher: Ubisoft

Available on: PC (Epic Games Store, Steam, Ubisoft Connect), PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2

Review system: Nintendo Switch 2

A Long Time Ago

The galaxy is ripe with opportunity. In a galaxy of civil war and rebellion, there are those that reap the spoils of war and those just trying to survive. For the survivors, it's a day-to-day struggle of trying not to be ground into a paste. However, for some tired of surviving, it's a matter of persistence and finding the right score. It's a dangerous world of bribes, corruption, crime, and betrayal. Play the cards right, and you might just make it.

Star Wars: Outlaws proved to be quite the force when it launched in the Summer of 2024, being a hit with critics and players. Now, this ambitious open-world Star Wars experience has arrived for the newest hybrid console, the Nintendo Switch 2, and comes in as Star Wars: Outlaws Gold Edition. Even with its blemishes, this is easily the best way to play Star Wars: Outlaws on the go and a fine choice for first-time players.

The Galactic Civil War

It is a time of great struggle and rebellion. The Empire has been dealt a massive blow with the loss of the Death Star. While they are locked in furious conflict to crush the Rebellion, some whisper of a potential fall to the Empire. Change is coming, and from the ashes of war come those looking to seize an opportunity at a new life. Meet Kay Vess, and her alien companion, Nix.

Broke and out of options, Kay and Nix try for one big score against the crime lord Sliro and the criminal empire Zerek Besh. The heist goes awry, and a death mark is placed on Kay, but while she makes her escape, she seizes a special ship, The Trail Blazer. Kay and Nix barely survive the crash landing on Toshara, but it's here that their greatest adventure is set to begin.

Looking for an Opportunity

At Stack Up, we reviewed Star Wars: Outlaws last year. If you are looking for a more detailed look into what to expect with the game running on a gaming PC, check out our review. However, since this is my first time with the game on Nintendo Switch 2, I can safely say it meets the marks of what has been said before, and then some. This isn't a typical Star Wars game but an ambitious open-world experience that truly puts players into the heart of the galaxy's criminal underworld.

Star Wars: Outlaws Gold Edition is a beefy game, with plenty to do and see, and with a tremendous amount of immersion. Like any good open-world adventure, beyond the gameplay and visuals, it all begins with the main character and what the character can offer to the players.

Who's Scruffy Looking?

Star Wars: Outlaws Gold Edition crafts solid characters with Kay Vess and Nix. Kay is the scrappy scoundrel who knows how to hold her own with a blaster, but can find herself getting into moments way above her. Still, she figures it out, gets creative, and has a witty thing to say. She isn't a soldier or a descendant of a dynasty but a regular, everyday person in the galaxy. Her character is identifiable with players as they step into the dangerous criminal world, with heists and jobs that have danger lurking in every corner. Kay's alien companion, Nix, is part of that character.

While Kay may be an Outlaw, she clearly has a golden heart for Nix, the alien lizard-cat-dog creature. Nix can be used in creative ways in the gameplay, from distracting enemies to fetching items and blowing up canisters. Using Nix in combat is exciting and complements exploration, stealth, and combat. The game takes a moment to highlight their companionship and how Kay isn't alone in a world where a friend can become an adversary.

A Trusty Blaster by Your Side

Gameplay-wise, there are many aspects to the overall experience. Players can work for one of the game's several criminal factions. One job may help one but anger the other. More jobs done for one faction yield rewards. However, it's up to the player to carve out their legacy and decide who to help and who to double-cross. These missions range from infiltrations, eliminations, transport, heists, and other tasks.

From shooting to stealth, the game feels very Uncharted-inspired, but made for good effect. Blaster fire and combat feel cinematic. Sneaking into an Imperial outpost to steal high-quality gear is thrilling. Using the Trailblazer to shoot down enemy fighters feels fantastic. There is a lot to enjoy here and many, many hours to explore.

New Hardware

With the game's release on the Nintendo Switch 2, there is that big question. Is Star Wars: Outlaws Gold Edition on the Nintendo Switch 2 any good, or has it been compromised to be squeezed onto the hybrid device? The answer may surprise you, and if it's any indication, the Switch 2 is going to be ripe for ports.

Visually, Star Wars Outlaws is sharp, running at a stable and resilient 30 fps with no noticeable dips. The game features ray-tracing and various visual dynamics as well, with strong reflections and shadows. Grass sways in the wind while water flows smoothly through a river. Derelict space vessels look like they were taken from a Star Wars set. An evening sky sees meteors burning up in the sky and stars flickering in the night. Even the alien creatures have smaller details, such as skin texture.

THX Energy

Sound-wise, the game sounds sharp. Wilbert Roget II infuses a music score that mixes the classic orchestra, inspired by John Williams to a modern electronic bass. It works during moments of danger and moments of calm, further grounding the experience in the classic Star Wars world. Whether handheld or docked, the Switch 2 port of Star Wars: Outlaws is an absolutely rock-solid port.

In addition to being a technical achievement, Star Wars: Outlaws features a bevy of QoL improvements that were addressed in patches on the other versions. These include the stealth missions, which have been improved. The game also features motion controls and touch controls. All the DLC and cosmetic items are included as well. There are also a plethora of accessibility options as well.

That's Not How the Force works

However, Star Wars Outlaws isn't entirely one with the force on Nintendo Switch 2. A few graphical and AI mishaps do occur. The game did crash on me twice. Granted, I had been running the game continuously for a few days in handheld mode, and perhaps it was too much. However, most of the experience was smooth with no further crashes. Additionally, I did witness some instances of enemies clipping through doors or not seeing me entirely. It's possible this was to address the AI issues that were troublesome before.

Perhaps the biggest missed opportunity is the Sabacc mini-game. I absolutely do not understand card games, and while there is a helpful tutorial, I would have preferred there to have been some automatic way of playing the Sabaac game altogether or some kind of assist mode to better guide my hand. The experience isn't mandatory, but there are side-quests tied to winning Sabacc. I just wish there were a better way to implement a more accessible approach.

Star Wars: Outlaws is Interstellar

For those looking to see if Star Wars: Outlaws is worth it on the Nintendo Switch 2, the answer is simple: Yes, the game is worth it on Nintendo Switch 2. While there have been adjustments made to best accommodate the portable hardware, it nonetheless delivers while being a strong port. Star Wars: Outlaws Gold Edition feels as close to old-school, genuine Star Wars as we will ever get. Between the scrappy scoundrel of Kay to the various gameplay layers to the overall experience, Star Wars: Outlaws is clearly a labor of love for Star Wars and a great new title for the Nintendo Switch 2.