Guardians of the Galaxy Nintendo Switch Cloud Version cover

Guardians of the Galaxy Nintendo Switch is a Cloud Version

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Published: June 15, 2021 2:30 PM

The Guardians of the Galaxy Nintendo Switch edition won't is a little different than the others — the Switch is getting a "Cloud Version" that will require an active Internet connection to play it.

Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy was one of the many third-party games revealed as part of the Nintendo Direct E3 2021. Unlike other games shown, however, it has a rather curious disclaimer on the video:

Footage representative of visual quality under optimal conditions. Persistent high-speed internet connection required. Terms apply. See Nintendo eShop for details.

Those details were later revealed upon exploring the Nintendo eShop page for the game — this will be a "Cloud Version" of Guardians of the Galaxy, and that means you'll need an Internet connection to play it.

Guardians of the Galaxy Nintendo Switch Cloud-Only slice

What is a "Cloud Version" on the Nintendo Switch?

The Guardians of the Galaxy Nintendo Switch version will be a "Cloud Version." That's not some kind of special edition or anything like that; rather, calling it a "Cloud Version" is Nintendo's way of saying that you'll need an active (and strong) Internet connection to play it.

A Cloud Version uses streaming technology to deliver a game to your console over the Internet in realtime. This is pretty much the same kind of tech that powers Google Stadia and services like GeForce Now. No Internet, no game.

Guardians of the Galaxy is the third major international Cloud Version game announced for the Nintendo Switch. The first was Remedy's Control Ultimate Edition; I had the opportunity to test it out on launch day late last year and it worked surprisingly well with my broadband Internet connection at home. That was followed by Hitman 3's Cloud Version earlier this year — and now Guardians of the Galaxy makes the third game on the Switch to deliver the game in this fashion.

Guardians of the Galaxy Nintendo Switch Cloud-Only slice 2

When is the Guardians of the Galaxy Nintendo Switch Release Date?

The Guardians of the Galaxy Nintendo Switch release date will be October 26, 2021. There won't be any Nintendo Switch delay here — it's launching on the same day that the game is arriving on other platforms.

It looks like this upcoming game will be pretty fun regardless of where you play it! You can add Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy: Cloud Version to your wishlist on the Nintendo eShop and you can pre-order the game for PC and the other consoles via its official website.

If you want to check out more of TechRaptor's E3 2021 and related summer event coverage, click here.

What do you think about Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy being a Cloud Version on the Nintendo Switch? Do you think Nintendo will lean more heavily into cloud gaming in the coming years? Let us know in the comments below!

A photograph of TechRaptor Senior Writer Robert N. Adams.
| Senior Writer

One of my earliest memories is playing Super Mario Bros. on the Nintendo Entertainment System. I've had a controller in my hand since I was 4 and I… More about Robert N

More Info About This Game
Learn More About Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
Developer
Eidos Montreal
Publisher
Square Enix
Release Date
October 26, 2021 (Calendar)
Purchase (Some links may be affiliated)