Although theNintendo Switch 2had a strongshowing in terms of third-party support, new reports suggest that some of the games being ported to the system are making significant concessions in terms of performance. During the full reveal of the system on April 2, several third-party developers, including CD Projekt RED and FromSoftware, announced that major titles would be making their way to the Switch 2, but to make it onto the system, these games may also be facing performance downgrades.
According toJason Schreier on BlueSkyandJulien Chièze on YouTube(viaReddit), live footage and hands-on testing ofCyberpunk 2077andHogwarts Legacyon the Switch 2 have revealed thatboth games get around 30 FPS while docked, withCyberpunkable to reach around 40 in performance mode, andboth ports are graphically downgradedfrom other consoles. Schreier has additionally reported thatCyberpunk 2077will cost $70 on the system, and, as confirmed by the officialCyberpunkaccount on X, will be the Ultimate Edition of the game, withPhantom Libertyincluded.
It’s No Secret That The Switch 2 Is Less Powerful Than Competing Platforms
The Switch 2 Still Lags Behind Competitors In Terms Of Performance
While the Switch 2 is a significant upgrade from the original console, it seems like the cost of being a portable system is thatit still can’t match up to PS5, Xbox, and especially high-end PCs in terms of power. For reference,Cyberpunk 2077andHogwarts Legacycan both reach 60 FPS on a base PlayStation 5, so while it’s understandable that a portable console has less power to spare, the Switch 2 versions of these games will inevitably look worse by direct comparison.
“DROP THE PRICE”: Nintendo Treehouse Switch 2 Stream Chat Showered With Upset Reactions
During the Nintendo Treehouse Switch 2 stream, the chat becomes full of messages saying, “DROP THE PRICE,” with fans notably upset at the price.
Of course,simply being able to play these games on a portable system will be enough of a draw for many buyers, but it’s almost unavoidable that the Switch and Switch 2 versions of many games are often the worst available options in terms of technical performance. ForCyberpunk 2077, theofficial X accounthas at least indicated some hope for improved performance at launch, but also that the game will still be targeting 30-40 FPS.
Are These Switch 2 Ports Of Third-Party Games Worth It?
Portability Will Be A Deciding Factor For Potential Buyers
While it can be disappointing to hear that games released multiple years ago are going to be performing worse on a brand-new console,performance on the Switch 2 does seem to match or exceed that of its closest equivalent, the Steam Deck, whereCyberpunkspecifically is notoriously unstable in terms of frame rate. Still, being “worth” the money will mostly depend on a buyer’s access to other platforms, and how highly they value the option to play certain games on the go.
“$70 For An 8-Year-Old Game”: Fan Backlash Over Nintendo Switch 2 Game Prices Is Rampant
Players aren’t happy with the pricing for several of Nintendo’s Switch 2 games, emphasizing an ongoing problem with the gaming industry as a whole.
Along with the controversialpricing of the Switch 2and its exclusive games, reports of lowered performance from third-party games are garnering a mixed reaction from fans. By the metrics of simply playing the games at home, titles likeCyberpunk 2077andHogwarts Legacywill likely be strictly superior on almost any other platform, and whether the portability factor of theNintendo Switch 2is enough to tempt double-dip purchases or new players remains to be seen.
Sources:@jasonschreier/Bluesky,Julien Chièze/YouTube,Reddit, @CyberpunkGame/X (1,2)
