When Hitman: Absolution released in 2012, it split the fanbase down the middle. Some praised its cinematic flair, others wanted the traditional sandbox design back. Now that the 2025 Nintendo Switch port has arrived, it’s time to see whether this chapter in Agent 47’s past still stands strong. Here’s everything you need to know about the Switch version.

Hitman Absolution is a stylish, stealth action game where you sneak, disguise yourself, and decide whether to be a ghost or cause absolute chaos. The campaign’s 20 missions give you plenty of room to experiment with your approach, and the story is darker and more personal than most Hitman plots. It also shows a more vulnerable side of of the normally very serious Agent 47. 



One of the nicest surprises on the Switch is how well the controls translate.The developers added optional motion controls for aiming. This makes scoped shots and precise takedowns feel smoother, especially in handheld mode. The $29.99 price on the eShop feels reasonable too, especially considering the added quality of life tweaks.


Visually, it’s definitely still a 2012 game. The character models and lighting got a little polish, but you’ll still notice some blur and lower detail here and there. Performance is fine in handheld mode, but I noticed that while the Switch is docked, the game experiences more visible frame rate drops. In fact I actually had the game crash on me in the middle of a mission and I had to restart. This only happened once, but knowing it’s a possibility kept me on edge when there was a lot happening on the screen.



Of course, the original issues are still here. The checkpoint system can be rough, making you redo big chunks if you mess up, and the AI sometimes behaves in ways that pull you out of the moment. Hitman Absolution is still going to feel more linear and more action-heavy than you might prefer. Even so, this port strikes a solid balance. It keeps what made Absolution unique, improves a few rough spots, and doesn’t mess with the overall vibe.



One of the bonuses for longtime fans will be Contracts Mode. The create and share assassination challenge mode is coming as a free update in early 2026. That shows the developer is taking the port seriously and wants it to have some longevity. So, I’m sure we can expect some updates regarding frame rate drops and game crashes as well.



Overall, if you’ve been wanting to replay Absolution or try it for the first time on a system you can take anywhere, the Switch version is a great option. It doesn’t magically fix every flaw, but it doubles down on what works. And with Contracts Mode on the way, it’s only going to get better. I definitely recommend trying it out if you’ve never played it before, especially if you’re a fan of stealthy action games.