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Is Diablo 3 coming to Nintendo Switch or not?

Is Blizzard being coy, or is a Diablo 3 port for Nintendo Switch really fake news?

 

Chris Reed

Internet Culture

Posted on Mar 6, 2018   Updated on May 21, 2021, 10:35 pm CDT

Ever since the Nintendo Switch came out, fans have spouted a common refrain about all their favorite games: When is it coming to Switch? That’s because Nintendo’s unique console lets you play games on your TV or on the go. The loot-hunting dungeon-crawler Diablo 3 seems like a particularly good fit. After all, dedicated fans spend hundreds of hours in it grinding for loot. Wouldn’t it be great to do that on a portable device?

It would indeed. But for anyone hoping to play Diablo 3 on Nintendo Switch, it’s been a tumultuous week. You could say it’s been a demonic rollercoaster of emotions.

Last week, developer Blizzard tweeted a 6-second video of a Diablo nightlight plugged into an electrical outlet. A hand flicks a switch on the light, turning it off and on as the camera closes in and retreats from the demonic face. The text says, “Sweet dreams.”

Instantly, fans put two and two together. The Diablo light switching on and off seemed like a visual pun hinting that Diablo 3 was coming to Switch.

After numerous outlets reported on the apparent tease, Blizzard issued a statement downplaying the event. “This tweet was meant to be a fun engagement piece. We do not have any plans to announce Diablo for Switch.”

That was a bummer. It seemed pretty clear: Fans misread meaning in a tweet that Blizzard hadn’t intended. Fans gradually accepted they probably wouldn’t get a portable version of their favorite demon-slaying game.

But today Eurogamer reported its sources have confirmed Diablo 3 is coming to Switch after all. Those sources aren’t sure if the Reaper of Souls and Rise of the Necromancer will be part of the package. But other similarly late ports tend to include all downloadable expansions, so it would be surprising if they weren’t part of the deal.

Even with Eurogamer’s reporting, Diablo 3 on Switch remains a rumor. But the site does have a pretty solid track record for leaking unannounced games in development. For its part, as expected, Blizzard has no comment on the matter.

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*First Published: Mar 6, 2018, 3:46 pm CST