Leave a Comment / January 4th, 2021 / Daniel Dell-Cornejo

Guide: Nintendo Switch games with cross-save/cross-progression

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One of the more recent developments in gaming is the concept of cross-saves/cross-progression. This feature allows you to pick up and play a game and keep the same same file/game progression no matter which platform you’re playing on! For example, with the game Hades, you can play a few hours on your Nintendo Switch version, save the game, upload it to the cloud, and then continue playing where you left off on your Steam version. Or, like with games like Fortnite or Rocket League, your progress is saved automatically — requiring no effort on your part — and can be used on whatever platform you want.

Not every game has cross-save/cross-progression functionality, and some come with a few caveats. Some don’t allow for retroactive achievements, while some do. For example, if you were to play Paladins on your Switch, then pick up again on Steam or PlayStation 4, you would instantly earn achievements on those platforms for anything you did on the Switch version. However, with The Witcher III: Wild Hunt – Complete Edition, this isn’t the case, and you won’t retroactively earn achievements the same way.

It’s also important to note that some things, like purchased DLC and in-game currency, won’t transfer over.

We’ve made notes for games where this is the case, so don’t worry! Use the table below to find out more about which Switch games have cross-save/cross-progression functionality and make an informed purchase!

 

Nintendo Switch games with cross-save/cross-progression

 

GameCross Saves with...Notes
Daemon x Machina
  • Steam
Divinity: Original Sin 2 - Definitive Edition
  • Steam
After each save transfer, Steam achievements will not be earned retroactively for anything you did in the Switch version.
Game Dev Tycoon
  • Steam
Hades
  • Epic Games Store
  • Steam
  • After each save transfer, Steam achievements will be earned retroactively for anything you did in the Switch version.
Kingdom: Two Crowns
  • Steam
Immortals Fenyx Rising
  • Epic Games Store
  • PlayStation 4
  • PlayStation 5
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X/S
  • After each save transfer, trophies/achievements will not be earned retroactively for anything you did in another platform version.
  • DLC will not transfer between platforms; you must buy downloadable content separately for each platform you play on.
Minecraft
  • PlayStation 4
  • PlayStation 5
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X/S
  • Windows Store
Sid Meier's Civilization VI
  • Steam
  • After each save transfer, Steam achievements will not be earned retroactively for anything you did in the Switch version.
  • DLC will not transfer between platforms; you must buy downloadable content separately for each platform you play on.
The Witcher III: Wild Hunt - Complete Edition
  • GOG
  • Steam
  • After each save transfer, Steam achievements will not be earned retroactively for anything you did in the Switch version.
  • DLC will not transfer between platforms; you must buy downloadable content separately for each platform you play on.
Dauntless
  • Epic Games Store
  • PlayStation 4
  • PlayStation 5
  • Steam
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X/S
  • In-game purchases transfer between platforms, although not at the storefront level (ie. purchases made will show up in-game on whichever platform, but you won't see you purchased something on the PlayStation Store if you bought it on the Nintendo eShop).
Fortnite
  • Epic Games Store
  • PlayStation 4
  • PlayStation 5
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X/S
  • Battle Royale mode is the only available Fortnite mode on Switch.
  • In-game purchases transfer between platforms, although not at the storefront level (ie. purchases made will show up in-game on whichever platform, but you won't see you purchased something on the PlayStation Store if you bought it on the Nintendo eShop).
Paladins
  • Epic Games Store
  • PlayStation 4
  • PlayStation 5
  • Steam
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X/S
  • In-game purchases transfer between platforms, although not at the storefront level (ie. purchases made will show up in-game on whichever platform, but you won't see you purchased something on the PlayStation Store if you bought it on the Nintendo eShop).
Realm Royale
  • Epic Games Store
  • PlayStation 4
  • PlayStation 5
  • Steam
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X/S
  • In-game purchases transfer between platforms, although not at the storefront level (ie. purchases made will show up in-game on whichever platform, but you won't see you purchased something on the PlayStation Store if you bought it on the Nintendo eShop).
Rocket League
  • Epic Games Store
  • PlayStation 4
  • PlayStation 5
  • Steam
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X/S
  • In-game purchases transfer between platforms, although not at the storefront level (ie. purchases made will show up in-game on whichever platform, but you won't see you purchased something on the PlayStation Store if you bought it on the Nintendo eShop).
Rogue Company
  • Epic Games Store
  • PlayStation 4
  • PlayStation 5
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X/S
  • In-game purchases transfer between platforms, although not at the storefront level (ie. purchases made will show up in-game on whichever platform, but you won't see you purchased something on the PlayStation Store if you bought it on the Nintendo eShop).
SMITE
  • Epic Games Store
  • PlayStation 4
  • PlayStation 5
  • Steam
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X/S
  • In-game purchases transfer between platforms, although not at the storefront level (ie. purchases made will show up in-game on whichever platform, but you won't see you purchased something on the PlayStation Store if you bought it on the Nintendo eShop).
Spellbreak
  • Epic Games Store
  • PlayStation 4
  • PlayStation 5
  • Steam
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X/S
  • In-game purchases transfer between platforms, although not at the storefront level (ie. purchases made will show up in-game on whichever platform, but you won't see you purchased something on the PlayStation Store if you bought it on the Nintendo eShop).

 

More Nintendo Switch guides

 

Looking for more help with your Switch? Check out our other guides!

 

Nintendo Switch Black Friday 2022 Guide
Nintendo Switch Black Friday 2021 Guide
Nintendo Switch Black Friday 2020 Guide
Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) Buyer’s Guide
Nintendo Black Friday 2018 Guide
Guide: Nintendo Switch games with cross-save/cross-progression
Guide: How to transfer Nintendo Switch system data to another console
Guide: How to transfer Miis to your Nintendo Switch
nintendo switch Guide: How to change your Nintendo Switch and eShop region to play games from other countries
Guide: All the first party games coming to Nintendo Switch in 2022
Guide – Nintendo Switch Online’s free Game Trials, how they work, and what’s available now
Guide – How to pair your Bluetooth headphones or speakers to the Nintendo Switch
Guide – 2022 Nintendo Switch game and accessory pre-orders and bonuses
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Daniel Dell-Cornejo

Written by Daniel Dell-Cornejo

Daniel is an editor at Nintendo Wire. Always with his head in the clouds, he is never apart from his creative thoughts – a blessing for an aspiring fiction writer. As a journalist and lifelong gamer, he aims to provide readers with the very best in Nintendo coverage.