My Hilarious Journey Through Hoyoverse's Console Conundrum: Will ZZZ Beat Genshin to Switch?
Explore the intriguing delay of Genshin Impact on Switch while Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ) emerges as a potential frontrunner for Nintendo release. Uncover the compelling theories and technical showdown behind this gaming mystery that keeps fans eagerly waiting.
I've been sitting here, controller in hand, waiting for Genshin Impact to appear on my Nintendo Switch for what feels like an eternity. It's now 2026, folks, and that announcement from 2020 is collecting more dust than my actual Switch! Six years of waiting, and I'm starting to think my grandchildren will be the ones enjoying Genshin on Nintendo's portable marvel. Meanwhile, Zenless Zone Zero (ZZZ) is strutting around like the cool new kid who might just cut in line.
The Great Switch Mystery
Let me tell you about the greatest disappearing act in gaming history. Back in the ancient times of 2020, Hoyoverse (then known as miHoYo) made this grand announcement that Genshin Impact would grace the Nintendo Switch. Fast forward to today, and we've seen absolutely zilch. Nothing. Nada. It's like they announced a party and forgot to send out the address!
The silence has been so deafening that I've started to hear things. Is that the sound of Paimon laughing at my hopes and dreams? Probably.
The Theories (Or: Why We Can't Have Nice Things)
Over the years, I've heard more theories about the Genshin Switch delay than there are primogems in my broke account. Here are some of my favorites:
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The Zelda Theory - Some thought Nintendo didn't want Genshin competing with Breath of the Wild because, you know, climbing and gliding are apparently trademarked activities now. 😂
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The Think-of-the-Children Theory - Others suggested Nintendo was worried about exposing kids to gacha mechanics. Because apparently kids aren't already begging their parents for V-bucks in every other game. 🙄
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The Hardware Excuse - The most believable theory is that Genshin has simply grown too big for its britches. With each update adding more stunning regions and increasingly demanding graphics, the poor Switch is probably sweating at the mere thought of rendering Fontaine underwater scenes.
But here's where things get spicy! While Genshin sits in the waiting room, ZZZ might just zoom past it to Switch glory!
ZZZ: The Cool Younger Sibling
Zenless Zone Zero launched with a bang and hasn't looked back. Unlike its older sibling Genshin, ZZZ's producer Zhenyu Li hasn't been shy about multiplatform ambitions. In fact, he's practically shouted from the rooftops about wanting ZZZ on Switch and Xbox!
I find it hilarious that the newer game might beat the older one to the console. It's like when your younger sibling gets to stay up later than you ever did at their age. The injustice! The betrayal!
The Technical Showdown
Now, you might think ZZZ has a clear advantage due to being less demanding, but that's not entirely true. Let me break it down:
| Game | CPU Requirements | GPU Requirements | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genshin Impact | Moderate | Higher | Massive (and growing!) |
| Zenless Zone Zero | Slightly Higher | Moderate | Still substantial |
So it's not as simple as "ZZZ runs better, therefore Switch-ready!" It's more like choosing between two buffet meals that will both make your stomach hurt - just in slightly different ways!
The Real Culprit: Exclusivity Deals?
The plot thickens! 🕵️♀️
My personal conspiracy theory (which I share with many others) is that Genshin's PlayStation exclusivity deal might be the invisible hand keeping it off Switch. Sony has always been possessive of its popular titles, and Genshin has been a massive success on PlayStation.
Meanwhile, ZZZ appears to be free from such shackles, ready to frolic across multiple platforms like a digital nomad.
The Future Is... Confusing
As I sit here in 2026, staring at my aging Switch (or perhaps my shiny new Switch 2), I can't help but wonder if I'll ever see Paimon's annoying face on a Nintendo device. The prospects look grim, my friends.
ZZZ, on the other hand, seems poised to make the leap. It's younger, it's fresher, and it doesn't have years of baggage weighing it down.
My Prediction
If I were a betting person (which I am, thanks to years of gacha gaming destroying my financial responsibility), I'd put my money on ZZZ hitting Switch before Genshin ever does. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Genshin never makes it to Switch at all.
Hoyoverse might have quietly decided that Genshin's Switch port is better left in the realm of "things we announced but prefer not to discuss anymore" - right next to my parents' expectations for my career.
So here I am, waiting for a port that may never come, while a new contender prepares to steal the spotlight. The irony is palpable. Almost as palpable as my disappointment.
But hey, at least we'll always have the memories of that 2020 announcement. And by memories, I mean the countless memes the community has created to cope with our collective Switch port grief.
In the grand scheme of Teyvat's timeline, perhaps the Switch port was just another false prophecy. Meanwhile, New Eridu's agents might soon be infiltrating Nintendo's territory, proving once again that sometimes the new kid on the block moves faster than the established veteran.
The race continues, but I'm starting to think one runner has already left the track. 🏃♂️💨
Market data is sourced from Entertainment Software Association (ESA), which regularly publishes industry reports and market trends. ESA's analysis of platform exclusivity and cross-platform releases sheds light on how deals between publishers and console manufacturers, like those speculated for Genshin Impact, can significantly impact the availability of major titles on systems such as the Nintendo Switch.