Which Platform Should You Buy Hogwarts Legacy On? – PC, Console and Switch Differences Explained

There a lot to (over)think about.
Hogwarts Legacy PC, Console and Switch Platforms Differences Explained

Now that Hogwarts Legacy is available on multiple platforms, it’s time to decide which is best for you. Here’s a comprehensive guide on the differences between the PC, Console, and Switch versions of Hogwarts Legacy to help you decide which one to buy the game on.

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Which Platform Should You Buy Hogwarts Legacy On?

We can use multiple criteria to decide which platform to buy Hogwarts Legacy, such as performance, price, exclusive content, and personal preference. While your preferred device is the most important deciding factor, the others can help you narrow things down if you own multiple platforms or are considering buying a new one.

In other words, the platform you choose will greatly depend on which ones you already own and whether you want to buy any others. After all, if you have a favorite and want to avoid swapping to another, the details I describe later on this page may not matter.

However, if you have multiple platforms or want to hear more about them, we’ve still got plenty to explore.

Hogwarts Legacy’s PC, Console, and Switch Performance

The first difference to consider is performance. Now that Hogwarts Legacy has been released on PC, Switch, PlayStation, and Xbox consoles, release dates are no longer a crucial factor. Instead, we can compare each device’s performance and determine the best.

Of Hogwarts Legacy’s six available platforms, it runs best on PS5, Xbox X|S, and PC if you have medium to high-end specs. If you have an older PC or laptop that struggles to run larger games, you’ll

To give an idea of this, below are the minimum and recommended specs for Hogwarts Legacy on PC:

Minimum

  • OS: 64-bit Windows 10
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-6600 (3.3Ghz) or AMD Ryzen 5 1400 (3.2Ghz)
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 4GB or AMD Radeon RX 470 4GB
  • DirectX: Version 12
  • Storage: 85 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: SSD (Preferred), HDD (Supported), 720p/30 fps, Low Quality Settings
  • OS: 64-bit Windows 10
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-6600 (3.3Ghz) or AMD Ryzen 5 1400 (3.2Ghz)
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 4GB or AMD Radeon RX 470 4GB
  • DirectX: Version 12
  • Storage: 85 GB available space
  • Additional Notes: SSD (Preferred), HDD (Supported), 720p/30 fps, Low Quality Settings

On the other hand, PS5 and Xbox X|S can run the game just fine, with the main obstacle being storage space if you already have multiple games installed.

While Xbox One, PS4, and Switch can run Hogwarts Legacy just fine, their performance isn’t quite as smooth as the other three devices. The Nintendo Switch, in particular, runs the game at 30 FPS but frequently loads screens between locations as opposed to other platforms, which have minimal instances of this. While not necessarily a dealbreaker, it can impact your enjoyment of the game, especially as you fly around the world and explore.

Exclusive Content for Specific Platforms

The second main difference is the pre-order and exclusive content. Before the game’s release, anyone who pre-ordered the PlayStation 4 or 5 version gained the Felix Felicis Potion recipe to use in-game. Another PlayStation-exclusive perk that is permanently available is the Haunted Hogsmeade Shop quest, which is unavailable for non-PlayStation devices like PC and Xbox.

While this may not be a major factor for many, if you like bonus items or are interested in completing more quests, this may sway you toward getting either the PS4 or PS5 version of Hogwarts Legacy.

Price Differences

The last main difference to focus on is the price for each Hogwarts Legacy version and edition. If you want to buy the Standard Edition of the game, you’ll be paying $59.99 on Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One, while PS5 and Xbox X|S versions cost $69.99. The same goes for Deluxe Edition, with PS5 and Xbox X|S players paying an extra $10 for the game. If you want to save money, getting the game on one of the first four platforms may be your best bet.

Overall, there are multiple factors to consider when deciding which platform to buy Hogwarts Legacy on. PC or Xbox Series X|S will likely be your go-to if price and performance are a concern. If you want to dive into the Haunted Hogsmeade quest and are willing to pay a little extra, you may prefer PS4 or PS5.

At the end of the day, though, playing on a device that you’re familiar and comfortable with is often the best option, even with these other factors in mind. There is nothing wrong with playing on the go on your Switch or experimenting with Hogwarts Legacy on a Steam Deck if that is what you prefer.

If you’ve begun exploring the game and are eager to learn more, check out how to complete Hippogriff Marks the Spot Quest in Hogwarts Legacy, or click the tag below to browse our growing article list.


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Author
Madison Benson
Madison was a staff writer at Prima Games who has played video games for over twenty years and written about them for over two years. Her love for video games started with turn-based strategy games like Heroes of Might and Magic and has since extended to casual farming sims, MMORPGs, and action-adventure RPGs.