Which is the best version of Vampire Crawlers? Switch 2, PS5, Xbox, Switch 1, Steam Deck, and PC compared

poncle has launches its turn-based card-driven first-person dungeon crawler Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard from Vampire Survivors for PC and consoles this week. Ahead of its launch, I had a chance to play the Switch version. You can read my thoughts on it after over 30 hours here. I also played the Steam demo on my PC handhelds before, and have since played every version to see how it scales across platforms. For this, I tested the Switch version on Switch OLED, Switch version on Switch 2, Switch 2 version, PS5 version on both PS5 and PS5 Pro, Xbox version on Xbox Series X and ROG Ally, and also the Steam version on Steam Deck and ROG Ally.

Vampire Crawlers feature differences across platforms

Vampire Crawlers doesn't have any content differences across platforms, but it does have some added features that are platform-specific. These include touch controls on Switch and Switch 2, Joy-Con 2 mouse controls on Switch 2, Quick Resume and Play Anywhere support on Xbox Series/Xbox on PC, multiple input options on PC, and more. 

While not included for launch, poncle confirmed that cross save is coming to Vampire Crawlers. It will likely be timed with the mobile versions, but I want to inform potential players of how this might go down based on the hundreds of hours I've put into Vampire Survivors across every platform. Vampire Survivors cross save is not available on PlayStation platforms. I have my progress carrying over across Switch, Steam Deck, iOS, and Xbox consoles without any trouble. It is unclear if Vampire Crawlers will have cross save on every platform, but this is worth keeping in mind if you plan on playing it on multiple devices like I do.

Vampire Crawlers visuals and performance differences across PS5, Xbox, Switch 2, PC, and Switch

Beyond those platform-specific features and potential issues with cross save, the differences between console versions have to do with visuals, performance, and load times. Visually, the PS5 (even when played on PS5 Pro) and Xbox Series X versions are identical. I compared 4K captures across four different situations and everything was a match. The Switch 1 and 2 versions appear to target the same resolution docked though. I was surprised to see this as you'd expect Switch 2 to offer a higher resolution. Hopefully this is addressed in a patch. I've included some zoomed in comparison images based on 4K capture from all four consoles below to showcase the different in how the pixel art appears when playing at 4K: 

When playing handheld, having spent all my time pre-release with the Switch 1 version tested via handheld boost mode on Switch 2 and also on Switch 1, I was surprised to see the Switch 2 native release runs lower resolution (handheld) than the Switch 1 version via handheld boost mode. If you use handheld boost mode, you lose out on touch controls though. I assume this is a bug that will be fixed soon. It might not seem like a huge issue given the game, but when you don't have proper pixel art scaling for even the UI and menus, it isn't great. 

On the performance side, I originally played the Switch version on Switch 2 and Switch 1. It struggled with some particle-heavy battles even on Switch 2 with animations cut down, but wasn't a bad experience, and I was more than happy with how it played on Switch 2 handheld via boost mode. It does however feel quite sluggish on Switch 1 with what feels like a variable frame rate. Via backward compatibility on Switch 2, the Switch 1 version feels a lot better as I said, but it isn't perfect. The Switch 2 version hits its 60fps target a lot more consistently, though there appear to be some animations at a lower frame rate for specific card skills even here. This is all when playing on TV or docked. 

The PS5 and Xbox Series X versions have a 120fps target. I verified it by slow motion camera capture so it is not just using a lower frame rate in a 120hz container. In a turn-based first-person dungeon crawler with grid-based movement, you might not be bothered by a lower frame rate target, but I did expect poncle to have 120fps support on Switch 2 if the PS5 and Xbox versions offer it. 

Moving over to portable play, the ROG Ally followed by Steam Deck OLED delivers the best performance as you'd expect, but I don't really have major complaints with how the Switch 2 version plays handheld. The Switch 1 version on the other hand is noticeably sluggish even here with much longer load times as I will cover below. As for the PC version itself, it supports uncapped frame rates in my testing and doesn't break a sweat even on PC handhelds.

Vampire Crawlers ultrawide PC gameplay

Vampire Crawlers on PC also supports ultrawide monitors. I played it at 21:9 and the team did a good enough job with the UI and menus, but the gameplay is still in the same middle portion of the screen. Since this is maintained across all platforms, I didn't expect things to be different at 21:9, but it is worth noting. I hope a future update adds proper 16:10 support though. 

Vampire Crawlers load times across Switch 2, PS5, Steam, Xbox, Xbox on PC, and Switch

To test load times, I installed Vampire Crawlers for Switch on Switch OLED SD card and Switch 2 internal storage, the Switch 2 version on Switch 2 internal storage, the PS5 version on my PS5 and PS5 Pro internal storage, the Xbox version on my Xbox Series X internal storage and ROG Ally internal storage, and the Steam version on my Steam Decks and ROG Ally. I measured the time taken to load the title screen after the initial photosensitivity warning and also the time taken to load a mid-dungeon run. I found the initial load for a save file to the hub was nearly the same across all platforms and this gave a better idea for how people will play Vampire Crawlers under normal circumstances since you can quit to menu and essentially suspend your gameplay even during a boss battle. The results below are in seconds.

*Note: The Xbox console and Xbox PC apps can take longer based on how long it takes to sync, but even in the best cases, it was always a lot longer than other consoles for the initial load.

As you can see, the PS5 version is the fastest to load across the board. The Switch 1 version on Switch 2 loads a bit faster for in-game dungeon saves, but no console takes too long barring the Switch 1 version. The ROG Ally and Steam Deck both took longer than all current consoles for the initial load.

Which version of Vampire Crawlers is the best?

The PS5 version is the best console version of Vampire Crawlers if you want to play exclusively on TV or a monitor. For portable play, I would actually go with the Switch 1 version on Switch 2 via handheld boost mode since it delivers a crisper experience. Until this is patched, the Switch 1 version on Switch 2 is the way to go on console. 

Overall, just like Vampire Survivors, Vampire Crawlers for Steam is the best version since you have the ability to scale performance above consoles and get the best portable experience on PC handhelds. It also likely will get updates and fixes faster than the consoles. 

Vampire Crawlers Switch 1 and 2 upgrade purchase and save transfer

If you buy Vampire Crawlers on Switch 1, the Switch 2 version (Note: This is not a Nintendo Switch 2 Edition with an Upgrade Pack like Final Fantasy Tactics) appears at a 100% discount to claim on the eShop via the same account. If you play the Switch 1 version and then boot up the Switch 2 native release, it asks if you want to load your save file and you can continue your progress. You cannot however take your Switch 2 save to a Switch 1 and I cannot confirm if buying the Switch 2 version grants you the Switch 1 native release. Keep this in mind when you buy and I recommend buying the Switch 1 version to get both either way. I can confirm it works on the North American eShop that way.

Which version of Vampire Crawlers 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 Vampire Crawlers as a conclusion to this feature below:

Vampire Crawlers on Switch 1/2: If you want to play on the go or value the hybrid nature of Nintendo's Switch consoles, buy it on Switch 1 (and claim the Switch 2 version free). While I don't recommend the Switch 1 version on a Switch 1 console, it plays great on Switch 2, and you can also try both and see which one you prefer. Just note that save data cannot be synced from the Switch 2 version back to the Switch 1 version. It only goes forward for the first time you load it up. 
Vampire Crawlers on Steam: Vampire Crawlers on Steam is the best version with support for uncapped frame rates, ultrawide displays, and with how perfect it feels on PC handhelds with no issues at all. This version will also likely see the fastest fixes for any bugs or other issues. 
Vampire Crawlers 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. This version is on Game Pass though so it is worth considering if you have the subscription and want to try out the game.
Vampire Crawlers on PS5: If you want the best possible TV experience, care about trophy support, 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 Vampire Crawlers, my most-played Switch game of 2026 right now, and a big surprise from poncle in just about every way. I will revisit this when any major patches release for the Switch 2 port and also once the mobile versions launch alongside cross save.

Vampire Crawlers is now available for Switch 2, PS5, Xbox Series, Switch, and PC (Steam). It launches for iOS and Android this year.