Hogwarts Legacy: Nintendo Switch release date, gameplay, pre-order bonuses, more
Avalanche SoftwareHogwarts Legacy set the standard for a Harry Potter video game, and soon players on the Nintendo Switch will be able to discover everything it has to offer. With the Switch release date around the corner, here’s everything you need to know about Hogwarts Legacy.
Harry Potter is one of the most iconic film and literature franchises in the world, with countless fans across the globe, and Hogwarts Legacy expanded on that popularity. Hogwarts Legacy launched to much success as the most comprehensive Harry Potter game yet.
With the wizarding world to draw upon, Hogwarts Legacy will soon immerse Nintendo Switch players into the Harry Potter universe like never before.
Here’s everything you need to know about Hogwarts Legacy, including the release date for Nintendo Switch, gameplay details, and more.
- Hogwarts Legacy release date
- Who is Hogwarts Legacy developer?
- Hogwarts Legacy pre-order bonuses
- Does Hogwarts Legacy have multiplayer or co-op?
- How long does it take to beat Hogwarts Legacy?
- Hogwarts Legacy gameplay details
- Is Hogwarts Legacy on Xbox Game Pass?
- Does Hogwarts Legacy have microtransactions?
- Hogwarts Legacy trailers
Hogwarts Legacy Nintendo Switch release date
Hogwarts Legacy’s release date for the Nintendo Switch is Tuesday, November 14, 2023.
Hogwarts Legacy was expected to hit the Nintendo console in July of 2023, but the devs announced yet another delay for the game. Of course, the game is already available for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S players as well as PS4 and Xbox One fans.
Who is Hogwarts Legacy developer?
Hogwarts Legacy is developed by Avalanche Software, an American development studio who are affiliated with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.
Avalanche Software are renowned for making video games from movie franchises such as Disney’s Cars and Toy Story. As the Harry Potter movies are owned and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, this gave Avalanche Software the rights and opportunity to create a game using the Wizarding World.
Hogwarts Legacy pre-order bonuses
Fans can pre-order Hogwarts Legacy on Nintendo Switch up until its release. You can pre-order the Standard, Deluxe Edition, or Digital Deluxe Edition for the Nintendo Switch. Here’s an overview of the pre-order bonuses depending on the version you choose.
| Pre-order bonus item | Hogwarts Legacy Standard Edition | Hogwarts Legacy Deluxe Edition | Hogwarts Legacy Digital Deluxe Edition |
| Thestral Mount | X | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dark Arts Cosmetic Set | X | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dark Arts Battle Arena | X | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dark Arts Garrison Hat | X | X | ✓ |
Does Hogwarts Legacy have multiplayer or co-op?
Hogwarts Legacy does not come with multiplayer or online co-op, so you can’t play the game with your friends. However, it’s possible that these options could be added later on in its life cycle.
The game also doesn’t feature cross-progression, crossplay, or anything of the sort.
How long does it take to beat Hogwarts Legacy?
Hogwarts Legacy’s main campaign takes 35 hours to complete, and a completionist run has a runtime of 70 hours.
However, this information wasn’t officially announced by Portkey Games themselves. The game will feature plenty of optional objectives for you to tackle, including secret dungeons and boss fights.
Hogwarts Legacy gameplay details
Avalanche SoftwareDevelopers Avalanche Software revealed that the game takes place in the 1800s. According to the devs, this was a conscious decision to prevent your wizarding story from being overshadowed by a certain modern-day wizarding hero.
As the protagonist, your character will be tasked with investigating a goblin-led rebellion. The goblins have allied with dark wizards and you’ll have to take on some dangerous foes along the way. Hogwarts Legacy will allow you to explore Hogwarts’ massive grounds as well as many surrounding areas.
Wizard character customization
Avalanche SoftwarePlayers will have the opportunity to fully customize their character for this grand adventure. Once you’ve created your character, the Sorting Hat will place you in one of the four Hogwarts houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin.
Life as a Hogwarts student
Avalanche SoftwareOnce you’ve been placed in a Hogwarts house, you’ll have access to your dorms and begin to attend classes. From Potions to Defense Against the Dark Arts, you’ll attempt to hone your wizarding skills all while making new friends along the way.
As a student, you’ll be able to make friends in different houses, including the Slytherin student Sebastian Sallow who teaches you the Cruciatus Curse, putting you on the path to becoming a dark wizard.
Hogwarts Legacy RPG elements
Avalanche SoftwareAs you attempt to tackle the dark secrets that await you outside of the castle, you’ll certainly grow as a wizard. You’ll be able to upgrade your talents and abilities with the experience points you’ve earned from completing challenges.
Players will also be able to upgrade their catalog of spells making them more effective and powerful as they progress through the game.
In Hogwarts Legacy, combat between wizards will include the use of offensive and defensive spells but that’s not all. Players can also brew powerful potions to give them an advantage when facing enemies.
Hogwarts Legacy locations
Avalanche SoftwareHogwarts Legacy features 24 classic Harry Potter locations across its vast open world, including the main castle, Forbidden Forest, the Room of Requirement, Diagon Alley, and different classes for players to attend.
These locations will be familiar to Harry Potter fans as many of the most memorable moments in the series took place in them. Harry got his wand and school supplies from Diagon Alley, and Dumbledore’s Army was trained in the Room of Requirement.
Hogwarts Legacy beasts
While exploring the world of Hogwarts Legacy, you’ll encounter a variety of different magical creatures including Hippogriffs, Dragons, Graphorns, Trolls, Mooncalfs, Acromantula, and Nifflers.
You can collect these beasts and then visit them in a location known as The Vivarium which can be accessed through The Room of Requirement. You can feed and play with them whenever you go to this location.
Is Hogwarts Legacy on Xbox Game Pass?
Avalanche SoftwareThere is no indication that Hogwarts Legacy will appear on Xbox Game Pass. The game is available to purchase on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S, and pre-purchase on Nintendo Switch.
Xbox Game Pass members would love to see Hogwarts Legacy available on the service, however, as there is a variety of PlayStation-exclusive content, it’s unlikely that Hogwarts Legacy will be seen on Game Pass.
Does Hogwarts Legacy have microtransactions?
The developers confirmed that Hogwarts Legacy will feature no microtransactions in any way, shape, or form. Meaning that you will be able to enjoy all the content of the game without having to make additional purchases.
Hogwarts Legacy trailers
As well as the reveal trailer, Avalanche Software also revealed two gameplay showcase trailers leading up to the game’s eventual release.
The nearly 35-minute trailer showcased the most in-depth look at Hogwarts Legacy yet. The trailer unveils several key aspects of the game, including broom flight, traversal, combat, and more.
An official cinematic trailer was released on 18 January 2023, and this followed the perspective of an owl flying across Hogwarts on its way to deliver a message to one of the students. This trailer showed the classes, students, spells, Nearly Headless Nick, Dragons, and more.
For more Hogwarts Legacy content, make sure to check our other useful guides:
Every classic Harry Potter character in Hogwarts Legacy | Can you play Quidditch in Hogwarts Legacy? | Hogwarts Legacy PC requirements | How to access the Dark Arts Battle Arena in Hogwarts Legacy | Hogwarts Legacy Trophies & Achievements list | How to get Venomous Tentacula in Hogwarts Legacy | How to complete the Cache in the Castle quest in Hogwarts Legacy | How to complete the Phoenix Rising Quest in Hogwarts Legacy