Cities Skylines Switch Edition: Worth It? DLC & Differences
Yes, Cities: Skylines on Nintendo Switch is worth buying if you value portability and are willing to accept a pared-down version of the PC original. The Switch edition includes the base game plus the first two major expansion packs, but it omits several later DLCs, has smaller city limits, and runs at a lower resolution and frame rate than other platforms.
Background: What the Switch Edition Includes
The Switch version of Cities: Skylines launched in 2018, developed by Tantalus Media and published by Paradox Interactive. It is not a straight port of the PC game; rather, it is based on the console versions but further adapted for the Switch’s hardware. Out of the box, the Switch edition includes the base game plus the After Dark and Snowfall expansions. These add day/night cycles, leisure and tourism specialization, and winter-themed maps with new mechanics like road maintenance and heating.
Later DLCs that appeared on PC and other consoles—such as Mass Transit, Green Cities, Parklife, and Industries—were never released for the Switch. The only additional content available on Switch is the Content Creator Pack (a set of decorative assets) and a few free updates that added basic features like the chirper filter. This means Switch players miss out on several gameplay systems that many consider essential to the modern Cities: Skylines experience.
How the Switch Version Differs
The most obvious difference is performance. On Switch, the game targets 30 frames per second, but it frequently dips below that, especially as your city grows past 30,000–40,000 citizens. The resolution also drops dynamically, resulting in a noticeably softer image compared to the crisp 1080p or 4K visuals on other consoles and PC. In handheld mode, the text can be small and hard to read, though it remains legible on the 6.2-inch screen.
Another critical difference is the map size. The Switch version limits you to 25 tiles (the same as the base PC game), but the total buildable area is smaller than the PC’s 81 tiles when you account for the fact that the Switch cannot handle the larger maps. In practice, you hit the building cap much sooner. The game also has a lower limit on the number of vehicles, pedestrians, and buildings it can simulate at once, which means traffic jams are less severe but also that the city feels less alive.
Controls are a mixed bag. The Switch version uses a radial menu and button shortcuts that work reasonably well once you learn them, but they are not as intuitive as the mouse-and-keyboard setup on PC. Placing roads and zoning districts requires more steps, and fine-tuning road curves is fiddly. That said, the touchscreen in handheld mode helps with some menus, though it is not fully supported.
DLC: What You Get and What You Miss
If you buy the Switch edition today, you get the base game plus After Dark and Snowfall. These two expansions are a decent start, but they are not the most impactful ones. After Dark adds a day/night cycle and lets you designate leisure and tourism districts, which changes how commercial zones behave. Snowfall introduces winter maps, road maintenance, and heating costs, which add a new challenge but are not essential to the core loop.
Missing DLCs like Mass Transit (which adds ferries, monorails, cable cars, and better traffic management) and Parklife (which lets you build parks and nature reserves) are widely considered to add significant depth. Without them, the Switch version feels closer to the 2015 release than to the 2020-era game. There is no way to purchase these DLCs separately on Switch; they were simply never ported. If you want the full DLC suite, you need to play on PC, PlayStation, or Xbox.
How to Choose: Should You Buy It?
Deciding whether to buy the Switch edition depends on your priorities. Here are the key factors to weigh:
- Portability: If you want to play a city builder on a plane, train, or in bed, the Switch is your only option. The ability to pause and resume anywhere is a huge plus.
- Performance vs. Content: If you care about high frame rates, large cities, and the latest DLC, the Switch will disappoint. You are trading content and performance for convenience.
- Price: The Switch version often goes on sale for around $20–$25, which is a good price for the base game plus two expansions. On PC, you can get the base game for cheaper, but the DLC costs add up quickly.
- Your experience level: If you are new to city builders, the Switch version is a fine introduction. If you are a veteran who knows what you want from Skylines, you will likely feel the limitations.
Common Problems and Limitations
Players frequently report a few recurring issues on the Switch version:
- Performance drops: As your city grows, the frame rate can stutter, especially when zooming in or during heavy traffic. This is the most common complaint.
- Loading times: Loading a save can take 1–2 minutes, which feels long compared to other platforms. It is not terrible, but it is noticeable.
- Building limits: You will hit the building/vehicle cap much sooner than on PC. Once you reach ~50,000 citizens, the simulation starts to simplify, and you cannot place new buildings in some categories.
- No mods: The Switch version does not support mods, which are a huge part of the PC game’s longevity. You cannot add custom assets, traffic mods, or quality-of-life improvements.
Comparisons: Switch vs. PC vs. Other Consoles
Compared to the PC version, the Switch edition is a downgrade in almost every way except portability. The PC version supports mods, larger maps, higher resolutions, and all DLCs. It also runs smoother on most modern hardware. The PlayStation and Xbox versions sit in between: they have all the DLCs (except some of the newest ones) and run at 60 FPS on PS5/Xbox Series X, but they lack mods and are not portable.
If you already own a decent PC, the Switch version is hard to recommend as your primary way to play. However, if you only have a Switch and want a city builder, it is the best option available on that platform. There is no other game quite like Skylines on Switch, so it fills a niche.
Cost and Value
The Switch edition typically retails for $39.99, but it frequently goes on sale for $19.99 or less. At that price, it is a solid value for the content you get. The base game alone on PC costs $29.99, and the two included DLCs would cost another $25 if bought separately. So the Switch version is actually a good deal when discounted.
However, if you want the full Skylines experience, you will need to spend significantly more on PC. The base game plus all major DLCs can easily cost over $100, even during sales. The Switch version’s lower price reflects its reduced content and performance. You are paying less, but you are also getting less.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get more DLC on Switch?
No. The only additional content available is the Content Creator Pack, which adds decorative items. The major expansion packs like Mass Transit and Parklife are not available on Switch and have not been announced. Paradox has not updated the Switch version with new DLC since 2019.
Does the Switch version run well in handheld mode?
It runs, but with compromises. The resolution drops, and the frame rate can dip, especially in busy areas. The text is small but readable. Many players find it playable, but it is not a smooth 60 FPS experience.
Is the Switch version worth it for beginners?
Yes. The tutorial is the same as other versions, and the slower pace of a city builder means the performance issues are less of a problem when you are learning. The portability is also a nice bonus for new players who want to play in short sessions.
Why is there no Mass Transit DLC on Switch?
Paradox and the porting studio likely decided that the Switch’s hardware could not handle the additional simulation and asset load. The Switch version already struggles with the base game, so adding more content would have worsened performance.
Can I transfer my PC save to Switch?
No. Saves are not cross-platform. You would have to start a new city on Switch.
Is the Switch version still supported?
Paradox has not released any major updates for the Switch version since 2019. It is effectively in a finished state. You will not get new features or DLC, but the game is fully playable as-is.
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