Limited Run Games‘ DOOM: The Classics Collection allegedly has DRM on DOOM (1993) and DOOM II on Nintendo Switch.
The allegations come from Brett Mullaney, showing that while DOOM 3 can play without issue, DOOM (1993) and DOOM II will not launch without an internet connection, or a user profile without a Nintendo Account.
I can confirm that the Switch physical version of Doom: The Classics Collection from @LimitedRunGames suffers from worse online DRM requirements than the PS4 physical version. Neither Doom or Doom II will even boot without a linked Nintendo account. @DoesItPlay1 @ModernVintageG pic.twitter.com/Xt72tnCqLg
— Brett Mullaney (@BrettEMullaney) November 4, 2021
Others have corroborated and shared this information, such as DoesItPlay? (a Twitter account dedicated to game preservation). Is should be noted that others may have merely cited what Mullaney claimed.
Nonetheless, Limited Run Games made no mention of any such DRM on their store, or during the announcement; nor is there any mention of DRM on Nintendo’s website for either game. The DRM also seems to not be present on PlayStation 4, further deepening the confusion. Full shipping is estimated to begin Q1 2022, though some have gotten the games [1, 2, 3, 4].
Limited Run Games even publicly stated the games would not require an online connection on Nintendo Switch, answering an individual on Twitter with that very concern.
Most who would acquire physical games would do so without expectation of needing a digital connection, even if said game had online features. Both games only feature local co-op, and the option of cloud saves via a Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
We have reached out to both Bethesda Softworks and Limited Run Games for comment.
