Review assesses Guardians of the Galaxy Encore Edition on Switch 2

Nintendo Life published its review of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Encore Edition for Switch 2 on Nov. 2, 2026. Cite: Eidos Montreal

Nintendo Life’s review calls the game a bright and charming adventure but warns that the native Switch 2 port has performance caveats compared with the cloud version. The reviewer did not recommend the original cloud-only release on the first Switch. If players can stomach some performance issues, the story is worth experiencing at least once, and the native port works without a constant internet connection. Cite: Eidos Montreal

Nintendo Life’s reviewer described the performance as just fine but noted hitches and stutters throughout the campaign, and said loading times last roughly 15 seconds and feel annoying and noticeable, similar to the PlayStation version from 2021. Gematsu’s listing specifies that quality mode targets 30fps at 1440p and performance mode targets 40fps at 1080p in docked TV mode, while handheld mode targets 30fps. Cite: Eidos Montreal, Gematsu

Nintendo Life’s review says the game follows Peter Quill as Star-Lord, who travels the galaxy with Rocket Raccoon, Drax, Groot, and Gamora. The story starts as a scrappy attempt to get out of debt and grows into a deeper narrative about friendship and teamwork. The reviewer, who used the Marvel Cinematic Universe as a frame of reference, liked this version more than the movies and praised the voice acting, script, and art direction. Revisiting it felt like seeing an old friend, with moments that drew laughs and tears.

Cite: Eidos Montreal

The review notes that the graphics take a small hit on Switch 2 compared with other platforms, but gorgeous environmental and enemy designs make up for it. The planets feel alien yet colourful, and enemy types range from weird worms to gelatinous cubes. Players control only Peter Quill and his dual pistols, though they can issue attack commands to the rest of the crew. Drax can stagger larger enemies, while Rocket can clear huge areas with explosives if the fight becomes overwhelming.

Cite: Eidos Montreal

The review also says it is disappointing that players cannot take control of the other characters, but they all feel like they are participating in some way. Peter unlocks elemental shots during the campaign, including an Ice shot that freezes foes and a Lightning shot that ricochets between nearby enemies. The combat is not especially deep, but it offers enough variation to stay fresh. Cite: Eidos Montreal

Nintendo Life’s review explains that when a gauge fills, Peter can activate Huddle, giving a pep talk to teammates; choosing the correct response based on mood grants the team a temporary strength boost, while a wrong choice still helps Peter. The review describes an active-reload perk popularised by Gears of War as a satisfying minigame in hectic fights, and says the constant rumbling on Joy-Con feels incredible. The reviewer eventually shifted mainly to Joy-Con instead of a Pro Controller. Cite: Eidos Montreal

Switch 2 owners get two new control schemes: Gyroscope lets them tilt the controller to fly the Milano, guide Peter while sliding or using Jet Boots, while Mouse Mode uses the right Joy-Con as a mouse to move the camera. New glam-rock-inspired skins for each main character are a nice exclusive for the Encore Edition but do not affect the game. The edition also fixes a bug from other platforms where certain conversations would not trigger after collecting items on a previous save, leaving them missing from Peter’s glossary. Cite: Eidos Montreal

The Encore Edition includes the complete main game, all previously released digital content, five new exclusive outfits inspired by 1980s glam rock, mouse and gyroscope controls, and three play modes: TV, table, and handheld. Jean-François Dugas, Studio Creative Director at Eidos-Montréal, said, “With the Encore Edition, we want to give the Guardians one more night on stage, this time on the Nintendo Switch 2,” Cite: WorthPlaying

KitGuru says the Encore Edition was announced during a Nintendo Direct and is set to arrive on Nov. 5, 2026. Gematsu notes that Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy first launched on Oct. 26, 2021, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Switch, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, with the Switch version available only through the cloud. KitGuru adds that the game earned praise and awards at release but that sales fell below what Square Enix hoped, partly because the previous year’s live-service Avengers had soured the IP. Cite: KitGuru, Gematsu

Nintendo Life’s review called the original a great game that was criminally overlooked. The disastrous cloud version on the first Switch cast a long shadow over an otherwise strong release. Cite: Eidos Montreal