BioShock: The Collection brings together three acclaimed first-person shooter games into one package for the Nintendo Switch, offering a deep dive into narrative-driven action with supernatural twists. Released in 2020, this remastered set includes BioShock, BioShock 2, and BioShock Infinite, complete with all their single-player DLC. Players explore underwater and aerial worlds filled with moral choices and intense combat, making it a standout choice for those who enjoy story-rich FPS experiences on a portable console.
Gameplay
In BioShock: The Collection, the core gameplay revolves around first-person shooting combined with genetic modifications that grant superhuman abilities. In the first two games, these come in the form of Plasmids, which let you unleash powers like electricity or fire from your hands while wielding various weapons. BioShock Infinite shifts this to Vigors, offering similar enhancements but set in a floating city environment. Combat feels deliberate and strategic, often requiring you to manage resources like ammo and health packs in tense encounters. The games emphasize exploration, puzzle-solving, and decision-making that affects the story, though earlier entries lack features like aiming down sights or sprinting, giving them a distinct, somewhat dated feel.
Customization plays a key role, as you upgrade your abilities and weapons through collectibles and tonics scattered throughout the levels. Each game builds on this loop, with BioShock Infinite introducing more open areas and companion mechanics for added depth. On the Switch, the controls adapt well to handheld play, though some inconsistencies between titles might take getting used to.
Game Modes
The collection focuses entirely on single-player experiences across its three main games. There are no multiplayer options included, as the BioShock 2 multiplayer component was omitted from this remaster. Instead, you'll find challenge modes that test your skills in specific scenarios, drawing from the original releases.
Additional content enhances replayability, such as the Museum of Orphaned Concepts, an in-game gallery showcasing unused development ideas. Director's commentary, unlocked by finding collectibles in the remastered BioShock, provides insights from the creators. These extras complement the main campaigns, which vary in length but center on narrative progression without competitive or cooperative play.
Current State and Updates
As of its 2020 release on Nintendo Switch, BioShock: The Collection remains a static package without ongoing seasons or live service elements. Patches have addressed initial bugs and improved performance, ensuring smooth operation at 1080p resolution and 30 frames per second when docked, dropping to 720p in portable mode. The remasters upgrade textures and effects for the first two games, while BioShock Infinite retains its original high standards.
The collection has held up well, with no major new updates since launch, making it a complete, self-contained experience. Technical tweaks have minimized issues like frame rate dips, allowing for reliable play in both docked and handheld configurations.
Is It Worth Playing?
For fans of atmospheric first-person shooters with strong narratives, BioShock: The Collection on Switch is a solid pick, especially if you value portability. It has earned Metacritic scores around 84 out of 100, praised for its value and preserved storytelling. Criticisms often point to aged mechanics in the earlier games, like clunky controls or occasional glitches, but the overall package delivers hours of engaging content.
If you prefer modern FPS titles with fluid movement and multiplayer, this might feel outdated. However, for those new to the series or seeking thoughtful single-player adventures, it's recommended as a worthwhile investment, running reliably without the need for constant updates.
