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

Hades II from Supergiant Games finally launched last year on Nintendo consoles and PC platforms following multiple major updates while in early access. As with the original Hades, Hades II has arrived on PlayStation and Xbox platforms soon after its debut, and I've had a chance to play both versions across my PlayStation 5 Pro, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and ROG Ally in addition to revisiting the Steam and Nintendo Switch 1/2 versions to see how they all feel. I also just wanted an excuse to replay one of my favorite games of 2025 so here we are. This Hades II comparison feature aims to help you find the best version for you going over the features, visuals, performance, load times, and more across Hades II on everything I can test it on.

Hades II release timeline

Before getting to the versions and other differences, Hades II has had an interesting release timeline across platforms through its early access.

• 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.

As of today, Hades II is now available on all major platforms and alongside today's PS5 and Xbox release, will see a patch on Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC bringing in some new content and quality of life updates.

Hades II feature differences across platforms

While the in-game content is the same across all versions of Hades II on consoles and PC, each platform has a few notable platform or game-specific feature differences. 

• 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

Visually, Hades II uses a combination of 2D elements sampled differently and 3D elements. The former will look similar across different devices, but the 3D elements look quite different as you move between resolutions and platforms. Hades II on Switch 2 is noticeably softer than when I play the PC version on my Steam Deck running at 1440p on my monitor. This in turn is softer than the PS5 and Xbox Series versions. The Switch 1 version has the lowest resolution of the lot, and it also is missing some particle effects.

To showcase how different 3D elements look, I cropped a scene featuring Melinoë standing still across PS5, Xbox Series X, Switch 2 docked, Switch 1 docked, and the PC version running at 1440p. You can see the difference in clarity for Melinoë's model below:

When it comes to performance, Hades II targets 120fps on Switch 2 docked, 60fps handheld, and 60fps in both modes on Switch 1. The Switch 1 doesn't deliver a 100% locked experience, but I didn't expect that after how Hades ran a few years ago. Switch 2 feels great though in both modes. On PS5 and Xbox Series X, it targets 120fps and has no graphics or performance mode options. Supergiant's Greg Kasavin told me the PS5 version is already at full quality, so there are no additional enhancements for the PS5 Pro version. 

When it comes to the PC release, it supports uncapped frame rates as well as ultrawide resolutions. it looks fantastic on my 21:9 monitor as you can see in the gallery below:

Hades II ultrawide PC gameplay

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

When testing load times, I wanted to measure how long it takes to reach the main menu when launching Hades II and also how long it takes to load your save file into character control. Note that the Switch and Switch 2 with cross save enabled will take 2-5 seconds more on top of the results below. Steam handles cross save instantly compared to the 2-5 seconds it took on Switch and Switch 2. I had the game installed to the SD card on Switch, internal storage on Switch 2, internal storage on PS5 Pro (the PS5 version since it is not PS5 Pro Enhanced), internal storage on PS5, internal storage on Xbox Series X, and the internal storage on both ROG Ally and Steam Deck. The results below are in seconds.

As you can see, the PS5 and PS5 version on PS5 Pro load the fastest initially, but loading an actual save or run while in-game is very fast across the board for PlayStation and Nintendo Switch 2. I'm a bit surprised that the Xbox App on PC still takes that long. I tested this four times over a week and it was always massively slower to initially boot than every other version. 

Which version of Hades II is the best?

If you have a Steam Deck OLED, I recommend playing Hades II there for the best portable experience thanks to the screen quality and it holding 90fps. If you have a Steam Deck LCD though, the Switch 2 is a better experience with its larger screen and the same frame rate. The ROG Ally delivers a 120fps portable experience, but the screen isn't as good as the Steam Deck OLED. I also noticed battery life was worse than Switch when running the ROG Ally at 120fps and the initial load takes longer than the Switch 2 version.

For playing on TV, you will get an excellent experience with PS5 and Xbox Series X. I have no complaints with either, but the faster load times and DualSense features make the PS5 version the best one. The Xbox version does support Play Anywhere though, and that gives you a portable option if you play on PC handhelds, though you should keep in mind the longer load through the Xbox PC App compared to the Steam version.

If you play on multiple devices though, I recommend getting Hades II on both Steam and Switch (2) so you can sync your save across and get access to both versions. Until cross save comes to PS5 and Xbox, I will recommend the Steam and Switch 2 versions for those who own multiple platforms. That is the way I will be continuing to play Hades II, though I hope to get all the trophies on PS5 over time.

For the best TV experience on console, PS5 is the way to go followed by Xbox Series X. The Switch 2 delivers an excellent hybrid experience, but I still hope Supergiant adds support for 120fps handheld and a higher resolution docked if possible at 60fps. Hades II on Nintendo Switch 2 feels a bit conservative given how the game runs on PC handhelds.

Which version of Hades II should you buy today?

Everyone has their own priorities for what they want, so I'm going to list the advantages and disadvantages of every single version of Hades II as a conclusion to this feature below:

Hades II on Switch 1/2: The Switch 2 Edition (compatible with Switch 1) is the only way to get Hades II physically right now. Barring that, if you value the hybrid nature or Steam cross save, this is the version to get. While I don't recommend the Switch 1 version if you have access to other platforms, the Switch 2 Edition is excellent, but a bit conservative. It is still one of the best games on the system. 
Hades II on Steam: Just like Hades, Hades II on Steam is the best version with support for uncapped frame rates, ultrawide displays, and with how perfect it is on Steam Deck OLED. This is also a good version to buy if you have a Nintendo Switch system and want to play on your PC at home with the Switch 1/2 version being your portable experience.
Hades II on Xbox: If you have access to a PC handheld or play on Xbox Series consoles and PC, the Play Anywhere feature is a big selling point in addition to the Quick Resume feature on Xbox, but the longer initial load times thanks to the syncing holds this version back a bit, especially on the Xbox PC version. 
Hades II on PS5: If you want to play on your TV, care about trophy support, DualSense features, and don't care about portable play (unless you stream to a PlayStation Portal or phone), this is the version to get. It is also the fastest version when it comes to load times.

Hopefully this helped you decide where you should get Hades II, one of the best games of 2025, and a sublime experience from Supergiant Games from start to finish. I hope we see a PS5 physical release in the future and potentially Steam cross save added to PS5 and Xbox as well as I'd love to have my main save on all platforms. 

Hades II is now available on PS5, Xbox Series, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, and PC (Steam, Epic, Xbox PC).