Which is the best version of Hades II? PS5, Xbox, Switch 2, Switch, PC, and Steam Deck Compared

After a successful early access period with several updates, Supergiant Games released Hades II on Nintendo consoles and PC last year. Following the pattern of the first Hades, it’s now available on PlayStation and Xbox. I’ve played the game on PlayStation 5 Pro, standard PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and ROG Ally, and also revisited the Steam and Nintendo Switch versions. Honestly, I just wanted another chance to play one of my favorite games of 2025! This comparison will help you choose the best version for you, looking at features, graphics, performance, loading speeds, and more across all the platforms I tested.

Hades II release timeline

Before diving into the different versions and how they compare, it’s worth noting that Hades II has had a unique release schedule as it’s been available in early access on various platforms.

May 2024: Hades II is released via early access for PC platforms.
October 2024: Hades II adds support for macOS with M1 chips and gets The Olympic Update as its first major early access update.
February 2025: Hades II gets its Warsong Update, the second major update while in early access.
June 2025: Hades II gets The Unseen Update, the third major update while in early access.
September 2025: Hades II exits early access and launches for PC, Nintendo Switch 2, and Nintendo Switch.
April 2026: Hades II launches for PS5 and Xbox Series consoles. It is also included in Xbox Game Pass.

I’m so excited – Hades II is officially out on everything now! Not only did it just launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox, but Supergiant is also rolling out a new update for Switch, Switch 2, and PC with some cool new stuff and improvements to make the game even better.

Hades II feature differences across platforms

So, basically, no matter if you’re playing Hades II on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, or PC, you’ll get the same core game – all the story, characters, and challenges are all there. But each platform does have a few little differences in how things work, or some features that are unique to that specific system. It’s nothing major that changes the gameplay, but it’s good to be aware of!

Hades II on Switch and Switch 2: Hades II on Switch and Switch 2 are the only console versions with cross save support. Given the hybrid nature of the consoles, you can also play docked or handheld and seamlessly switch between them. The Switch version can be upgraded to Hades II – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition for free as well. It also has a Switch 2 Edition physical release with both the Switch and Switch 2 versions on the game card. As of this writing, this is the only physical release of the game.
Hades II on Steam: The Steam release of Hades II plays perfectly on basically any PC, has full ultrawide support, and is flawless on Steam Deck and PC handhelds out of the box. It also supports Steam Achievements and has cross save support with the Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 versions.
Hades II on PS5: Hades II on PS5 features Trophy support, activity card tracking, haptic feedback, lightbar support, and also works great with Remote Play.
Hades II on Xbox: Hades II on Xbox is a Play Anywhere title letting you access it on your Xbox Series console and Windows 11 device with saves syncing across. It also supports Quick Resume and is in Xbox Game Pass.

Hades II visuals and performance differences across PS5, Xbox, Switch 2, PC, and Switch

Hades II blends 2D and 3D graphics. The 2D parts look consistent across all devices, but the 3D elements appear different depending on your screen and system. Specifically, the game looks less sharp on the Switch 2 compared to the PC version on my Steam Deck (at 1440p). The PS5 and Xbox Series versions are even sharper. The original Switch has the lowest resolution and also lacks some visual effects.

I captured a scene of Melinoë standing still on five different platforms – PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, the docked Nintendo Switch 2, the docked original Switch, and a PC running at 1440p – to highlight the visual differences. You can see how clearly Melinoë’s character model appears in each version below.

Okay, so I’ve been playing Hades II on a bunch of different consoles, and here’s how it runs. On the new Switch 2, docked, it’s hitting a smooth 120fps, and handheld it’s at a solid 60fps. The original Switch also gets 60fps in both modes, but it’s not perfectly locked – which is fine, honestly, considering how the first Hades ran. But the Switch 2 feels fantastic! On PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, they’re aiming for 120fps, and there aren’t any options to choose between graphics and performance – it just runs at full quality. I talked to Greg Kasavin from Supergiant, and he said the PS5 version is already maxed out, so don’t expect any big upgrades for the PS5 Pro either.

The PC version offers smooth, unlimited frame rates and supports ultrawide resolutions. It looks great on my 21:9 monitor, as shown in the images below.

Hades II ultrawide PC gameplay

Hades II load times across Switch 2, PS5, Steam, Xbox, Xbox on PC, and Switch

I tested how quickly Hades II loads, measuring the time it takes to get to the main menu and then to load a saved game. Keep in mind that the Nintendo Switch and the new Switch 2 take an extra 2-5 seconds to load when cross-save is turned on. Steam handles cross-save instantly. I tested on different systems with the game installed on various storage types: a microSD card (Switch), internal storage (Switch 2, PS5 Pro – using the standard PS5 version, PS5, Xbox Series X, ROG Ally, and Steam Deck). The times below are shown in seconds.

Platform	Dashboard to title	Loading a run/save
PS5 Pro	7-8	3-4
Xbox Series X	14-15	4-5
PS5	8-9	3-4
Switch 2	10	4-5
Switch	29	8-9
Steam Deck	20-22	3-4
ROG Ally Steam	18-20	3-4
ROG Ally Xbox App	51-55	6-7

The PS5 and the upgraded PS5 Pro start up the quickest. While all versions – including PlayStation and Nintendo Switch 2 – load saved games and continue gameplay quickly, the Xbox app on PC consistently took much longer to initially launch. I tested this repeatedly over several days, and it was always significantly slower than the other platforms.

Which version of Hades II is the best?

For the best portable experience with Hades II, the Steam Deck OLED is the way to go, thanks to its excellent screen and ability to run the game at a smooth 90 frames per second. If you have the original Steam Deck LCD model, the Switch 2 actually offers a better experience with its bigger screen and comparable frame rate. The ROG Ally can hit 120fps, but its screen quality isn’t as good as the Steam Deck OLED. Plus, I found the ROG Ally’s battery life didn’t last as long as the Switch, and it took longer to load the game at that higher frame rate.

As a gamer, I have to say both the PS5 and Xbox Series X are fantastic for playing on my TV – I honestly can’t fault either. But if I had to pick one, I’d go with the PS5. The faster loading times and the DualSense controller features just give it the edge. That being said, the Xbox version has ‘Play Anywhere,’ which is great if you also game on PC and like using handheld devices. Just be aware that loading times through the Xbox PC app are a bit slower than if you use Steam.

If you plan to play Hades II on more than one device, I suggest buying it for both Steam and Nintendo Switch. This lets you share your progress between platforms and enjoy the game on both. Until cross-save is available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox, the Steam and Switch versions are the best option for players with multiple devices. I’ll continue playing this way myself, although I’m hoping to unlock all the trophies on PS5 eventually.

If you want the best graphics and performance on a console, the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are your top choices. The Nintendo Switch 2 offers a great mix of handheld and TV gaming, though it could be even better. While Hades II looks good on the Switch 2, it doesn’t quite push the hardware as much as it does on PC handheld devices – ideally, it would run at a faster frame rate and higher resolution.

Which version of Hades II should you buy today?

Since everyone values different things, here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of each version of Hades II to help you decide which one is right for you.

Here’s a breakdown of the best way to play Hades II on different platforms:

Switch: The Switch 2 Edition (which also works on the original Switch) is currently the only way to get a physical copy. If you like playing on the go or want cross-save with Steam, this is the version to get. While the Switch 1 version isn’t ideal if you have other options, the Switch 2 Edition is a great experience overall.

Steam: Like the first Hades, the Steam version is the best technically, offering uncapped frame rates, ultrawide display support, and excellent performance on the Steam Deck OLED. It’s also a good choice if you own a Nintendo Switch and want to play on both your console and PC.

Xbox: If you have an Xbox Series console or a PC handheld, the Play Anywhere feature (allowing you to play on either device) and Quick Resume are major benefits. However, syncing between devices can cause slightly longer loading times, especially on the Xbox PC version.

PlayStation 5: If you prefer playing on your TV, enjoy trophy hunting, and want to utilize the DualSense controller features, the PS5 version is the way to go. It also boasts the fastest loading times in the game, though it doesn’t offer portable play unless you stream to a PlayStation Portal or phone.

So, hopefully that helped you figure out where to snag Hades II – seriously, it’s shaping up to be one of the best games of 2025, and Supergiant Games has really outdone themselves with this one. I’m really hoping they release a physical copy for the PS5 down the line, and it would be amazing if they added cross-save between Steam, PS5, and Xbox. I’d love to be able to pick up my progress on any platform!

Hades II is now released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC through Steam, Epic Games Store, and Xbox PC.

2026-04-13 18:28