Every Platform's Version Of Fortnite Ranked
The year 2018 has been crazy for Fortnite: Battle Royale. The game seems to be on the tips of everyone's tongues, and to its credit, Epic has done a fantastic job at creating and keeping buzz around the game alive. But 2018 hasn't been huge for Fortnite just because of its upswing in popularity. The game also became available on three more platforms this year.
That's right. In addition to PC, Xbox One, and PlayStation 4, you can now play Fortnite on Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. And with so many versions of the game available across various platforms, it can be tough to choose the one that lines up with your needs.
So we're going to rank them all.
There's not a terrible flavor of Fortnite, per se. But some versions are better than others, and below, we'll take a look at each one and hit you with the pros and cons. Because let's be honest: the game is big enough that, if you're not already a gamer, you might want to buy hardware just to play it. And we'd like to help steer you in the right direction.
Here is every platform's version of Fortnite ranked from worst to best.
Android only recently got Fortnite ... and there are some kinks to work out
Android users who've been pining for some Fortnite action have likely encountered some scams along the way. For months, the game could only be played on mobile on iOS, leaving out-of-the-loop Android users wide open to nefarious schemes involving fake apps and data harvesting.
No more. Fortnite is now officially on Android. That is, if you own one of the few supported devices.
That's right. For all the waiting, Fortnite still isn't a freely downloadable Android game. It launched as a Samsung exclusive for a few days before making its way into a beta stage, but even that requires an invitation via email. No invite, no Fortnite.
And should you be lucky enough to get the game on your device, the result won't leave you feeling all that impressed. Even if you're fine with PlayStation-era graphics — yes, the original PlayStation — you'll still have to contend with the slow touch controls and reduced 30 frames-per-second framerate.
Fortnite on Android is good in a pinch. But right now, it's the worst way to play the game.
iOS can be great or so-so for Fortnite, depending on your device
Say what you want about Apple's ecosystem, but it makes optimizing apps a whole lot easier for developers. Case in point: Fortnite on iOS runs on the iPhone SE, the monster 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and every iOS 11-supported device in between. That may seem like a lot, but when you consider every Android device out in the wild and the number of companies making Android phones, Apple's iOS family seems rather small in comparison.
Which is why, for Fortnite, you'll get the best smartphone or tablet experience on iOS.
Now, the playability of the game will certainly differ depending on what you use. If you choose to use that smaller iPhone SE — which is on par with the iPhone 6S in terms of power — you're going to take a hit on graphics, never mind the fact that the tiny screen makes play more difficult. Bump up to that larger iPad Pro, though, and you'll not only get beefier specs — which means increased viewing distances — but a larger display, which makes spotting enemies even easier.
The knock? All mobile versions — both on Android and iOS — are locked at 30 frames per second. If you can handle the reduced frame rate, and again, the less-than-optimal touch controls, the iOS version should get you by.
The Nintendo Switch's version is saved by its controls
It was tough trying to determine where the Switch version of Fortnite fell on this list. Graphically, the game can actually look worse than the mobile versions on iOS and Android. This is because the Switch will sometimes drop resolution to keep its 30 frames per second intact. And even when docked, the Switch version isn't much to look at.
But the Switch version of Fortnite has something the other mobile versions don't: joysticks and buttons.
If you're someone who plays on the Xbox One, PlayStation 4, or even PC (with a gamepad), you'll feel right at home manipulating Fortnite on the Switch. The button layout is largely the same as the one used on other console versions, which means you won't have to learn an entirely new scheme to get your Fortnite fix.
Plus, you can join a party with friends on other consoles and not feel like a complete hindrance. With touch controls, you'd be far more likely to die at the hands someone using a gamepad or a keyboard.
The Switch version isn't pretty by any means. But if you want Fortnite on the go — and you don't have a worthy laptop — it's the best option.
PlayStation 4 plays a good-looking version of Fortnite, but with a huge caveat
Here's where things start to get a lot better in the world of Fortnite. The PlayStation 4 — whether you're speaking about the base system or the upgraded PS4 Pro — offers a far better experience than anything you'll find on mobile or on Switch. The game hits much higher frame rates and resolutions, shooting for 60 FPS while targeting 1080p on both the PS4 and PS4 Pro. And traditional controls just feel better for a game with so much shooting involved.
But the cross-play debacle Sony created is a huge problem.
The beauty of Fortnite is how it seems to exist everywhere for all people. You can, for instance, hop into a game on your PS4 with your little cousin who plays on iPad. But what you can't do, right now, is use your PS4 to play with anyone on Switch or Xbox One. Even worse: you can't share your Fortnite progress with those consoles. If you're the owner of both a PS4 and Switch, you'll need to maintain two separate Epic accounts and Fortnite characters across the two systems.
Once you've signed in on a PS4, the account is tainted forever. It can't be used on an Xbox One or Switch. It's stuck. It's a stance that has to change, and until it does, you should think long and hard about signing into your Fortnite account on your PS4.
Xbox One plays nice with others, and could have the best-looking console edition of Fortnite
The story of Fortnite on Xbox One is wildly dependent on which version of the system you have.
Are you the owner of a launch Xbox One? You're not going to do as well in the graphics department as you would on any PlayStation 4. You'll still get 60 frames per second in Battle Royale, but you'll usually be playing at a resolution of 792p. Are you gaming on the much-improved Xbox One X? Then you'll get the best home console version of Fortnite, with the game usually hitting 1440p and 60 FPS.
But the best part about playing on Xbox One? The console won't lock your Fortnite account down.
In case you couldn't tell from the PlayStation 4 section above, the whole Fortnite cross-play scandal is a big deal. And Microsoft and Nintendo, to their credits, have come down on the good side of the issue. The base Xbox One may not play Fortnite as pretty as the base PS4, but it's hard to argue that the Xbox One enables gamers to experience a better version of Fortnite thanks to its cross-platform play and save features.
The Xbox One and PS4 would be incredibly close if not for the cross-play issue. But it exists, and because of it, the Xbox One gets the nod over the PS4.
PC offers the definitive Fortnite experience
You had to see this one coming. PC is the bar-none best way to play Fortnite, period.
Let's talk about customizing your experience, for instance. Do you want to play in 4K? Or on a 2560p widescreen display? If you have the right monitor, you can do it. Do you want "Epic" settings on everything? Do you want to see enemies on screen way before they see you? If your rig has a powerful graphics card, it can be done.
And do you want to use a keyboard and mouse for the ultimate in precision? Or pair a gamepad to a gaming laptop and play console-quality Fortnite on the train? The decision is yours to make.
Fortnite started out as a PC-exclusive game, and it should come as no surprise that the best version of the game lives on that platform. The building, the shooting: they can be done quickly and accurately on PC, which is why you'll find serious Fortnite players opting for a mouse and keyboard over an Xbox One or PlayStation 4 controller.
Case in point: PC is the platform of choice for Ninja. And we hear he's pretty good at the game. So if you can swing a good gaming PC, why play anywhere else?