🔗 Share this article

It's astonishing, however we're approaching the new Switch 2 console's half-year mark. By the time Metroid Prime 4: Beyond releases on the fourth of December, it will be possible to deliver the device a comprehensive evaluation thanks to its solid selection of exclusive launch window games. Heavy hitters like Donkey Kong Bananza will headline that review, but it's the company's latest releases, Pokémon Legends: Z-A and recently Age of Imprisonment, that have enabled the new console overcome a critical examination in its opening six months: the performance test.

Confronting Hardware Issues

Ahead of Nintendo publicly unveiled the Switch 2, the main issue from users around the then-theoretical console was about power. When it comes to technology, Nintendo trailed Sony and Microsoft for several generations. That reality began to show in the original Switch's later life. The expectation was that a Switch 2 would introduce more stable framerates, better graphics, and industry-standard features like ultra-high definition. Those are the features included when the console was launched in June. At least that's what its specs indicated, at least. To accurately assess if the upgraded system is an enhancement, it was necessary to observe important releases performing on the hardware. That has now happened in recent days, and the assessment is favorable.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A as the First Examination

The system's initial big challenge arrived with the October release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Pokémon games had notable performance issues on the first Switch, with releases including Pokémon Scarlet and Violet launching in highly problematic conditions. Nintendo's hardware wasn't exactly to blame for those issues; the game engine powering the developer's games was aged and getting stretched beyond its capabilities in the transition to larger environments. This installment would be more challenging for its studio than any other factor, but we could still learn to analyze from the visual presentation and its operation on the upgraded hardware.

Despite the release's basic graphics has sparked discussions about the developer's skills, it's clear that Legends: Z-A is nowhere near the tech disaster of its preceding game, the previous Legends game. It performs at a stable 60 frames per second on the new console, whereas the original console maxes out at 30 frames per second. Objects still appear suddenly, and you'll find various fuzzy textures if you zoom in, but you won't experience anything resembling the situation in Arceus where you initially fly and observe the whole terrain beneath turn into a jagged, polygonal surface. That qualifies to grant the new console some passing marks, though with reservations since Game Freak has separate challenges that amplify restricted capabilities.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment serving as a More Demanding Hardware Challenge

Currently available is a more compelling tech test, though, because of the new Hyrule Warriors, launched earlier this month. The latest Musou title pushes the Switch 2 due to its Musou formula, which has players facing off against a huge number of enemies constantly. The franchise's last installment, the previous Hyrule Warriors, had issues on the original Switch as the system couldn't handle with its quick combat and numerous on-screen elements. It regularly decreased below its target 30fps and created the sensation that you were overwhelming the system when being too aggressive.

Thankfully is that it likewise clears the performance examination. I've been putting the title extensively in recent weeks, experiencing every level available. In that time, I've found that it manages to provide a more stable framerate versus its previous game, reaching its 60 fps mark with more consistency. Performance can dip in the most intense combat, but I haven't experienced any moment where I'm suddenly watching a slideshow as the framerate chugs. Some of this could be because of the fact that its compact stages are careful not to put overwhelming hordes on screen at once.

Notable Trade-offs and General Verdict

Remaining are compromises that you're probably expecting. Most notably, shared-screen play sees performance taking a significant drop closer to the 30 fps range. Additionally the initial Nintendo-developed title where I've really noticed a noticeable variation between my old OLED display and the new LCD display, with notably in story sequences having a washed out quality.

Overall though, this release is a dramatic improvement versus its earlier title, like the Pokémon game is to Pokémon Legends: Arceus. For those seeking any sign that the upgraded system is meeting its performance claims, although with certain reservations remaining, these titles show clearly of how the Switch 2 is substantially boosting series that struggled on older technology.