Key Takeaways
1. The Nintendo Switch 2 features significant graphics enhancements, improving character models, background details, and allowing for more Pokémon on screen simultaneously compared to the original Switch.
2. Performance comparisons show the Switch 2 can compete with the PS4, particularly with games like Yakuza 0, and runs Cyberpunk 2077 smoothly at 30 frames per second with Nvidia DLSS upscaling.
3. The Nintendo Switch 2’s performance in action-packed scenes may dip, as seen in Elden Ring comparisons, although it shows sharper visuals in less intense moments due to DLSS.
4. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom upgrade costs $10 but offers a significant graphics boost, enhancing resolution, lighting, and shadow effects.
5. Upcoming games like Metroid Prime 4 will showcase noticeable improvements in resolution and frame rate on the Switch 2, with claims of running at “up to” 120 frames per second.
After the recent confirmation of the Nintendo Switch 2’s detailed specifications, a variety of graphics comparisons have surfaced that demonstrate how the much more robust hardware affects game visuals. The first examples are Pokémon Crimson and Purple, which faced significant backlash due to their outdated graphics and unsatisfactory performance on the original Nintendo Switch.
Graphics Enhancements
According to the comparison images posted on Reddit, the character models have seen a substantial boost in resolution with the new Switch 2 update. Background objects and ground details, including grass and shadows, appear much more refined. Additionally, the update allows for a greater number of Pokémon to be shown on screen simultaneously. However, it fails to fix several design flaws, such as the bland texture seen on rock walls.
Performance Comparisons
In the video comparison provided, Yakuza 0 is shown against the PS4 edition of the game, recorded on a PlayStation 5. The visuals on the Nintendo Switch 2 are slightly better, indicating that it can at least compete with Sony’s last-gen home console.
CD Projekt Red has also shared some gameplay footage of Cyberpunk 2077 running on the Nintendo Switch 2. Even though the game is capped at 30 frames per second, there are no significant stutters. The graphics look decent, likely benefitting from Nvidia DLSS upscaling.
Game Performance Insights
When comparing Elden Ring, the Nintendo Switch 2 directly stands against the PS5 version. The resolution on the Switch 2 noticeably dips during action-packed sequences, and some slight DLSS artifacts are visible in the footage. However, in less intensive scenes, the DLSS upscaling leads to sharper visuals compared to the PlayStation 5. With minor stuttering already apparent in the available gameplay video, it’s uncertain how well the game will perform on the Switch 2 overall.
Nintendo is charging $10 for the upgrade to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, but players receive a quite significant graphics boost in return, as shown in the comparison video below. Apart from the improved resolution, it seems that Nintendo has also enhanced the lighting and shadow effects to elevate the overall image quality.
Upcoming Releases
Metroid Prime 4 is set to launch simultaneously for both the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch 2. Unlike Pokémon Crimson and Purple, this game already looks pretty good on the original console, but the differences in resolution and lighting between the two versions are quite pronounced. The frame rate also sees an improvement due to the more capable hardware, with Metroid Prime 4 running at “up to” 120 frames per second on the Nintendo Switch 2, as stated by Nintendo.
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