*DISCLAIMER: This review will specifically discuss the Switch version of "DOOM" and is not an overall assessment of the game, but rather an assessment of the port itself. I previously reviewed the game on the PlayStation 4 and rewarded it a 10 out of 10. Head to my profile if you want to read that review and hear my actual thoughts on the core game itself.*
I've gone on record on numerous occasions to say that the 2016 "DOOM" remake was not only one of my favorite PlayStation 4 games, but one of my overall favorite video games. Yeah, sure, it was my first experience with the series, but I had an absolute blast with the game. It had all the things a great "DOOM" game should have: incredible visuals, extremely fun, fast-paced and action-packed gameplay, smooth controls, and a ton of badass moments. So, when hearing that this game I loved so much was heading to the Nintendo Switch, I was admittedly a bit intrigued: would a game that huge, that graphically intense, and that fast actually translate well to the Switch, specifically when taking the system as a portable? Well, I'm here to report that, for the most part, it does!
"DOOM" on the Nintendo Switch retains all of the things that made the base game great, and it's honestly a miracle that the game can run on the Switch pretty solidly. Sure, it's downgraded to 30 FPS, but it's an overall quite smooth 30 FPS (though I recommend turning off the motion blur and the chromatic aberration), and while the resolution was downgraded, the game still looks just fine visually. On top of that, the portable experience is great in and of itself, and the game still feels great regardless of whether or not you're playing it docked or undocked.
Obviously, however, those downgrades are pretty noticeable: certain effects and models obviously look worse on the Switch version, and while the experience as a whole is quite smooth, there is some occasional frame dipping. Now, for me, it wasn't TOO distracting, and the game still performed fine enough, but some might be a bit turned off by that. On top of that, I did run into a few noticeable glitches here and there, and again, they weren't game-breaking, but they were slightly distracting.
"DOOM" on the Switch is a marvel in and of itself: the fact that the game was even able to run without the Switch completely imploding is a miracle on its own, and the fact that the game, downgrades and all, still performs and looks fine on the system (even in handheld mode) is even more impressive to me. Of course, the downgrades are there and they are noticeable, but they luckily don't distract too much from the game as a whole. So, is it worth buying the Switch port if you already own the game elsewhere? Well, if you love "DOOM" but aren't begging to have a portable version of it, then obviously, the other versions should suit you just fine, but if you want to be able to take it on the go with you and play it whenever you please, most definitely. It's honestly just a matter of knowing thy self with this one. It's obvious the developers had to cut some corners to get it on the Switch, but they aren't all that bad at the end of the day, so if you're looking for the "DOOM" experience on the go, or you just need a fun, high-adrenaline shooter on your Switch, "DOOM" is definitely a solid option. Sure, it doesn't stack up to it's other console counterparts in performance or visuals, but it's still one hell of a ride on the Nintendo Switch.
Final rating: 7 out of 10 "Good"