Apex Legends end Nintendo Switch support this summer

Apex Legends first landed on the Nintendo Switch in March 2021, but now, five years after its Switch debut, Respawn has announced that the game will be removed from the Switch when Season 30 begins on Aug. 4.

“Season 29 will be the final update for Apex Legends on Nintendo Switch,” Respawn shared via the official Apex Legends X account. “Future seasons of Apex Legends will continue to be available on Nintendo Switch 2.”

According to the X post, players will still be able to play the game (and purchase Apex Coins) until Aug. 4, after which the game will become unavailable on the original Switch. Respawn has confirmed that Switch 2 support for the game will continue, as will support on all other platforms. Any in-game currency purchased via Switch is tied to players’ EA accounts, and will be accessible in Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation, Xbox, and Windows PC versions of the game.

“We are deeply grateful to the Nintendo community that has been with us on this journey since Day 1, and we hope to see you on the Dropship on Nintendo Switch 2,” Respawn’s statement reads.

Switch players are understandably upset by the news. Many choose to play on Switch because of its portable nature, and aren’t thrilled at the idea of either shelling out the cash for a Switch 2, or being stuck on a non-portable console or PC.

“HOW AM I GONNA PURCHASE MY LOBA SKINS NOW WHEN I’M ON VACATION,” one player asked in response to the post announcing the upcoming Aug. 4 deadline.

Other players — likely those who don’t play Apex exclusively on Switch — seem to support the decision, with one commenting, “Honestly we need more developers to discontinue last-gen game support/production. You’ll never move forward while focusing on the past.”

PlayStation 4 users also voiced concern, fearing Sony’s last-gen console could be next on the chopping block despite Respawn’s assurance that there are no plans to discontinue support on other platforms.

“As we continue to evolve Apex Legends’ content and technical foundation, our goal is to deliver a high quality experience,” Respawn said of the Switch announcement. “Thanks to Nintendo’s investment in the Nintendo Switch 2, the platform offers a great handheld experience for Apex Legends.”

“Switch must be full of hackers,” one player joked, referencing the 2024 announcement that Apex Legends would no longer support Steam Deck due to Respawn’s concerns about Linux users cheating.

Respawn did not provide a specific reason for its decision to end Switch support.