The upcoming Nintendo Switch version of Devil May Cry 3 will introduce a major change to the classic action game’s combat. Late last year, Capcom announced that DMC3 will join the Nintendo Switch eShop, along with the first two entries in the series, as a downloadable title.

Devil May Cry 3 is widely regarded as one of the best action games of all time, and with good reason. The game’s dynamic, satisfying combat and its associated style system had an indelible impact on the genre, influencing later games like Bayonetta and Vanquish. Despite being over 15 years old, DMC3 is still played and enjoyed today by many fans. Although it’s been re-released multiple times across different platforms, the core game has remained mostly unchanged since the Special Edition launched for PlayStation 2 back in 2006. However, the upcoming Switch port will be making some significant changes.

According to an official post on Capcom Unity, Devil May Cry 3 will feature a new “FreeStyle” mode when it comes to the Nintendo Switch on February 20th. This addition will allow players to freely switch fighting styles during combat. The six fighting styles of the original Devil May Cry 3 - Swordmaster, Gunslinger, Royal Guard, Trickster, Doppelganger, and Quicksilver - could previously only be changed in the menu. Devil May Cry 4 introduced style switching in combat, resulting in an even more varied combat system that was further enhanced in Devil May Cry 5.

The post states that style switching in DMC3 on Switch “will work just like you’d expect.” In other words, it will be reflective of protagonist Dante’s abilities in later DMC games, using the D-pad to swap between styles on the fly. It doesn’t say whether or not the game’s combat rankings will be adjusted to account for this, but it will certainly result in much flashier combos. This new system also means the game’s six different styles can be leveled up all at once.

This is a very big change to Devil May Cry 3’s gameplay, and a positive one at that. Style switching brings the game up to date with its successors, and gives both new and old players another reason to go back to it. However, this news might be disappointing to fans who were hoping for a different announcement this week - some expected Dante to be the next DLC character in Smash Ultimate. Unfortunately, that character turned out to be Byleth… but given Dante’s popularity and with six more DLC characters coming to Smash Ultimate in the future, all hope is not yet lost for the star of Devil May Cry 3.

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Source: Capcom Unity