As someone who has been grinding Battle Royale matches since Fortnite first exploded onto the scene in 2017, I was filled with equal parts curiosity and skepticism when Nintendo announced it was coming to the Switch in mid-2018.
Could a cartoony hybrid portable really do Epic Games‘ masterpiece justice? Would cramming finger gymnastics onto Joy-Cons feel anywhere near as fluid as mouse and keyboard? Does the Switch even have the processing muscle to avoid slowdowns during hectic firefights?
After taking the port for a test run, I‘m happy to report that – for the most part – Fortnite not only runs smoothly on Nintendo‘s convertible console, but adds an element of on-the-go fun to an already addictive game loop.
That said, getting it set up and adjusting to new controls does come with a learning curve for even seasoned players. So if you‘re eager to squad up from your couch or collect a Victory Royale on your morning commute, then this personal guide will walk you through everything you need to know about downloading Fortnite and settling into the island on Switch.
The Epic Rise of Fortnite – By the Numbers
Let‘s start from the top. For anyone unfamiliar with perhaps the biggest gaming and pop culture craze of the decade, Fortnite began life in 2011 as an ambitious cooperative survival shooter in development at Epic Games.
Early gameplay previews focused on players scavenging resources, crafting weapons, and teaming up to build fortified bases capable of withstanding zombie horde attacks at night – thus inspiring the name Fortnite.
After years in closed alpha and a pivot to emphasizing action-oriented exploration and building mechanics ala Minecraft, the first early access packages for Fortnite’s main campaign – Save The World – sold in July 2017. One month later, Epic spun up a side project experiment: a free 100-player last-man-standing Battle Royale mode.
When Fortnite Battle Royale rolled out to all players on September 26, 2017, hardly anyone predicted the unparalleled popularity it would reach in the months to come.
Flash forward to 2023, here are some mind-blowing statistics about Fortnite‘s success across its lifetime:
- Over 250 million registered players globally
- 3.2 billion hours watched on Twitch streams
- Upwards of 25 million concurrent players at peak times
- #1 highest-grossing free-to-play game from 2018-2022 raking in $5.1 billion
- Pop culture staple referenced across thousands of YouTube videos, TV shows, and branded partnerships
There’s no denying it: lightning struck with Fortnite and spearheaded the explosive growth of multiplayer battle royale shooters.
Why Nintendo Fans Were Eager for Fortnite
Ever since the mid ‘80s heyday of arcade classics like Donkey Kong and Super Mario Bros catapulting them to the top, Nintendo has cultivated perhaps the most beloved and family-friendly reputation in the gaming industry.
While platforms like PlayStation and Xbox battled to attract hardcore first-person shooter (FPS) and action fans with cutting edge graphics and mature themes, Nintendo doubled down on cheerful color palettes, charming characters, and revolutionary concepts like motion controls and portability.
All of this is what makes Fortnite seeming so unexpectedly aligned with the Nintendo difference upon first glance. And yet, Epic Games‘ phenomenon has become so universally appealing that when Nintendo announced it was coming to their genre-defying Switch console in summer 2018, it drove fans into a frenzy.
The Switch‘s entire ethos is flexibility between handheld and TV modes for gaming anywhere. What could exemplify that mobility better than dropping onto the Fortnite island from the bus on-the-go?
Beyond convenience, Nintendo devotees were also eager to test if Joy-Con motion aiming could provide competitive precision against PC and console counterparts.
As Switch hardware has evolved to support theater-quality Witcher and Alien adventures, its maturation only further set the stage for the anarchic playground of Fortnite to feel at home.
When Did Fortnite Launch on Nintendo Switch?
Epic Games wasted no time capitalizing on Battle Royale fever by expanding the free experience across platforms. After initial Windows, Mac, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One support, 2018 marked monumental mobile growth for Fortnite.
Here were the major console and handheld release milestones:
- March 2018 – iOS and Android roll-out begins
- June 12, 2018: Nintendo announces Fortnite arriving on Switch during E3 spotlight
- June 12, 2018: Global digital launch on Nintendo eShop
- June 16, 2018: Physical Fortnite Switch bundle debuts
In just 4 whirlwind days, over 2 million eager Nintendo fans downloaded Fortnite during its launch weekend. Impressively, this immediate uptake outpaced install rates when Fortnite first hit iOS app stores.
While the core Battle Royale and Creative modes came bundled free from day one on Switch, Save the World co-op functionality lagged until mid-2019.
Nonetheless, the instant platform expansion made Fortnite a ubiquitous portable gaming option and unified cross-platform profiles. Wherever players roamed, their character customization, Progress, and Battle Pass tier were seamlessly accessible.
Fortnite Nintendo Switch Edition: Under the Hood
Before jumping into the installation process, let’s break down the technical specifications powering Fortnite on Nintendo‘s hybrid machine:
| Developer | Epic Games |
| Publisher | Epic Games |
| Release Date | June 12, 2018 |
| File Size | 19.2 GB |
| Input Methods | Joycon Motion Controls, Pro Controller, Touch Screen |
| Handheld Resolution | 1280×720 pixels |
| Framerates (FPS) | 60 FPS (Docked & Handheld* |
| Pricing Model | Free-to-Play (In-Game Purchases Optional) |
| ESRB Age Rating | Teen |
*During intense sequences with many players building or battling, handheld frame rates may occasionally dip below 60 FPS. But Epic has optimized extremely well!
In terms of graphical settings, the Switch edition falls somewhere between Low and Medium on PC. It retains epic draw distances while dialing down finer details like shadows and water physics.
Impressively though, whether docked on a big screen or handled, Fortnite pushes a crisp native 1280×720 resolution at smooth 60 FPS during regular gameplay. Only 10 FPS separate it from the upscaled 1080p output on an Xbox One.
And one huge benefit over trying to build 90s on a pint-sized smartphone is the Switch‘s capacity for precision controls and tactile buttons. Between motion aiming, Pro Controller support with gyro, and button mapping flexibility, players have ample options to tailor schemes to their reflexes and playstyle.
Now let‘s get Fortnite installed and see how it handles!
Step 1: Turn on Your Nintendo Switch
Home screen icons may vary by model year or special editions. Fortnite cannot run without first powering up the console.
Kick off the download process by pressing the power button located on the top left edge of your Switch. You should see the glowing Nintendo logo flash as it boots up.
Step 2: Launch Nintendo eShop Digital Storefront
The Switch main menu displays your game library, settings, album gallery, and access to the eShop marketplace. Scroll to the vibrant orange shopping bag icon titled Nintendo eShop:
Select it to launch the platform‘s built-in digital store and wait as it loads your current region. This grants access to thousands of games, DLC packs, indie projects, early-access titles, and free downloads.
Step 3: Search "Fortnite" on Nintendo eShop
With the eShop now open, it‘s time to track down Fortnite amidst the vast catalog. Tap on the Search bar tucked against the top border:
When prompted, use the on-screen keyboard to slowly spell out "F-o-r-t-n-i-t-e". Any decent autocorrect should recognize the name after just a few letters. Once the full title populates, hit OK to initiate the query.
Step 4: Select Fortnite From Search Results
Assuming no connectivity issues, Fortnite should appear as the first found title:
Pro Tip: If by chance your search instead surfaces an ad tile for a Fortnite DLC bundle or controller skin, make sure to choose the actual base game listing like shown above.
Tap on the Fortnite icon and it will shift the eShop to the game‘s official page, complete with mesmerizing visuals and gameplay trailers. Take a moment appreciate just how slick the Switch edition looks!
With your sights set on that prestigious Victory Royale, continue to the download option.
Step 5: Hit "Download" on the Fortnite Nintendo eShop Page
On Fortnite‘s eShop platform page, essential info confirms we‘ve identified the correct battle royale phenomenon. Peep the eye-catching splash art and consider watching the gameplay reel.
When ready, scroll down and tap on the Download button:
Since Epic only offers Fortnite free-to-play rather than as a one-time purchase, there‘s no need to enter any credit card or billing details. Huzzah! Consider supporting the continuous development costs by grabbing custom character skins or emotes later on.
For now though, the download should begin automatically and bounce you back to the main menu with an active progress bar.
Time estimates primarily depend on your Wi-Fi speeds or cellular plan bandwidth if playing handheld. Let‘s break down the download duration to expect:
- 5G cellular or 200+ Mbps Wi-Fi: under 5 minutes
- 20 – 50 Mbps Wi-Fi: 10 to 30 minutes
- 5 – 10 Mbps Wi-Fi: 1 to 2 hours
Set aside time to let the 19.2 GB install run smoothly in rest mode. Avoid force closing while downloading or idle play sessions may suffer regular crashes later.
Once wrapped, the main menu tilts from "Downloading" to "Download complete" or Installation finished". Huzzah!
Step 6: Find and Launch Fortnite
With the lengthy game data transfer fully wrapped, locating Fortnite amongst your Switch game library icons should prove a cinch:
Navigate to the newly populated Fortnite tile using analog joysticks or directional buttons. Recognize it by the colorful "F" logo against a black background rather than the greyed out "coming soon" placeholder that may have occupied the space previously.
Press A when selected for the satisfying tones signifying Fortnite firing up for the first time. Drink in the slick animated intro sequence while any final shuffle work concludes.
After a uniquely epic splash, you‘ll gain freedom to roam the Fortnite lobby as your chosen avatar. Tinker with settings, practice building in Creative mode, then work up the courage to battle strangers in a heated Battle Royale face-off!
Recommended Settings for Nintendo Switch Players
Transitioning to new hardware after getting comfy on a preferred platform comes with inevitable growing pains. Here are 5 quick recommendations for easing into Fortnite on Switch controls:
1. Complete the opening tutorial – A step-by-step training area introduces movement, harvesting, construction and fighting without pressure.
2. Try multiple control schemes – Whether JoyCons, Pro, touch or motion feel best comes down to the player. Test options in Playground mode.
3. Lower sensitivity early on – Nailing precise broad strokes eases adjustment to real combat later.
4. Experiment with custom bindings – Place crucial actions like jump, reload or build on intuitive buttons tailored to your hands.
5. Stick to defaults first – Building muscle memory early with standard mappings makes learning advanced tactics smoother down the road.
And with that, you should have all the tools needed to fare well on the Fortnite island anytime, anywhere thanks to Switch flexibility! Drop those hard-earned V-Bucks on a fancy skin to look slick alongside Switch-exclusive joy-con and console customizations.
Common Questions from Fortnite Switch Players
Let‘s recap answers to frequent questions from newcomers:
How large is the full Fortnite file size on Nintendo Switch?
The base app caps around 19.2GB. Leaving ample built-in storage or an SD card is recommended for patches and future growth.
Does Nintendo Switch have every Fortnite game mode?
As of Chapter 4 Season 1, Switch players can access the full Battle Royale maps and weapons, Creative builders paradise, plus Save the World PvE co-op campaigns.
Can I use the same Fortnite account across Nintendo, PC and other consoles?
Absolutely! Epic Games allows players to retain all progress, currency, Battle Pass, and unlocked cosmetics when accessing Fortnite from different supported devices.
How can I squad up with friends on PC, Xbox or PlayStation?
Fortnite permits cross-platform parties. So Switch users can join voice chats and jump into matches with buddies on those platforms thanks to this rare connectivity.
Will Fortnite ever be removed from Nintendo eShop?
Currently no indications exist of Fortnite getting vaulted. As the premier free-to-play shooter phenomenon, new seasons and content drops should keep players engaged on Switch for years to come!
Last Words for My Fellow Nintendo Switch Players
Wishing everyone chasing Victory Royales from handheld mode smooth performance and all-around exciting Fortnite sessions on such an impressive hybrid device. This Battle Bus is ready to drop and take on some epic Nintendo-themed challenges. Catch you on the island!
Let me know which skin is your go-to and what unique strategies you leverage for slick building maneuvers or stealth plays. Just remember above all else in the heat of battle:
Have fun!
