Hogwarts Legacy's Switch Release Date Could be a Golden…

Summary

Hogwarts Legacy is the highest-selling game of 2023, grossing over $1 billion and maintaining its success through multiple releases. However, launching early in the year on most platforms means it could be forgotten come awards season.
Fortunately for Hogwarts Legacy, the upcoming Nintendo Switch release on November 14 is expected to perform extremely well, adding to the game's popularity and impressive sales numbers.
Releasing closer to the Game Awards in December increases Hogwarts Legacy's chances of receiving recognition and potentially winning awards, as it makes it relevant again right before the show.

2023 is quickly becoming one of the greatest years the video game industry has ever seen. With stellar remakes like Resident Evil 4 and Dead Space, phenomenal sequels like Star Wars Jedi: Survivor and Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and brand-new IPs like Hi-Fi Rush and Dredge, the 2023 Game Awards ceremony is going to be a stacked one, with every category having at least a handful of worthy contenders. And when it comes to Hogwarts Legacy, there are a few Game Awards categories it's certain to appear in.

Released back in February for PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, Hogwarts Legacy was both a critical and commercial smash-hit, and it's continued to maintain that impressive reputation ever since. Now, with its Nintendo Switch release on the horizon, Hogwarts Legacy's extreme success has the opportunity to keep on growing, paving the way for even more potential spots in 2023's Game Awards line-up.

Hogwarts Legacy's November Switch Release Date Could Be a Blessing in Disguise

Hogwarts Legacy is currently the highest-selling game of 2023. While The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom briefly dethroned it, Hogwarts Legacy's sales have soared high above the vast majority of AAA releases this year, and as of the end of May, it had grossed over $1billion. Though Hogwarts Legacy's initial sales were incredibly impressive, its continued success is largely due to the game's later release on Xbox One and PlayStation 4, bringing about a second wave of sales and popularity. And before the end of the year, Hogwarts Legacy is set to receive a third wave of success.

On November 14 2023, Hogwarts Legacy is set to come to Nintendo Switch. Much like its second release on Xbox One and PlayStation 4, Hogwarts Legacy's third release wave for Nintendo Switch is expected to perform extremely well, making this success story even more impressive. But while Hogwarts Legacy's Switch release will probably bring in a ton more money for Warner Bros., it isn't the only benefit of having a third release wave later in the year.

The Game Awards is quickly becoming one of the most popular and important annual events in the gaming industry. Though winning the coveted Game of the Year award isn't the be-all and end-all, it does add a definitive seal of approval to a game, and can help the title to attract an even bigger audience. Hogwarts Legacy doesn't really need this boost, but gunning for the top award is never a bad idea, and its upcoming November Switch release date could put it in a prime position.

It's often been the case that games that release at the start of the year don't receive as much attention at the Game Awards as those that released closer to the event. While there are certain titles that are simply too monumental to forget, like last year's Elden Ring, many games do slip through the cracks, even if they earned an impressive critical reception upon their initial release. Hogwarts Legacy, however, has put itself in a unique position. While it initially launched at the start of the year, Hogwarts Legacy has remained relevant throughout 2023 by releasing in waves, and its final November Switch release could be the perfect way to keep conversations around the game going right up until the Game Awards in early December. And though general popularity doesn't necessarily mean it'll win any awards, it certainly won't hurt Hogwarts Legacy's chances.