Cyberpunk 2077 on Nintendo Switch 2: First Look and Performance Analysis
When CD Projekt RED announced Cyberpunk 2077 on the Nintendo Switch 2, the reaction was mixed, to say the least. It is real that getting a game as graphically demanding as Cyberpunk 2077 on a Nintendo hybrid console raises questions. After the bumpy release of Cyberpunk on older hardware such as the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, many fans are understandably curious – and many perhaps a little dubious – as to how this new version will hold up.
To give us the first look, the folks at the YouTube channel Cycu1 have put together a comparison video. Taking Nintendo's official trailer video, they've put the Switch 2 version side by side with its PlayStation counterparts. The million-dollar question: Is Switch 2's Cyberpunk 2077 as hyped, or does it offer a diluted experience?
Visual Showdown: Switch 2 vs. PlayStation
Now, nobody was really expecting the Switch 2 to be on par with the graphical fidelity of a PlayStation 5, but the comparison is compelling nonetheless. Yes, there are visual compromises. The Switch 2 version, by the trailer's indications, certainly does appear ever-so-slightly blurrier and less detailed overall. But it's not all bad news.
In a curious turn of events, the Switch 2 port is said to be placed roughly at the level of the PlayStation 4 Pro version in overall detail quality. That could be a decent benchmark for a portable console, maybe. But here's something that will surprise you: the lighting on some scenes in the comparison is actually said to look better on the Switch 2 than on the earlier PlayStation versions. This could be a huge visual upgrade, one that adds atmosphere and depth despite marginally lower texture detail.
Resolution Reality: Docked vs. Portable
CD Projekt RED has put resolution targets for Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 out in the open. In portable mode, you will be exploring Night City in 720p. Dock the console, and you will notice a bump to 1080p on your TV screen. While not shattering any resolution barriers, 1080p docked could potentially be quite a nice, playable experience on larger screens.
Is It Worth It? Launch Date and Price
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition will be available on Switch 2, as well as the console itself, on June 5th. It is said to cost $70. Whether the graphical sacrifices are worth the ease of use and the price will have to be decided by the fans themselves.
Early Verdict: Cautiously Optimistic?
From this early look, Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2 looks like a technically ambitious port. It will not be the absolute visual experience, but it may well be an unexpectedly capable and portable way to dive into Night City. Whether or not CD Projekt RED can deliver a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience on the Switch 2 is yet to be seen, but this early comparison provides us with a glimmer of hope for those who wish to take Cyberpunk on the go.
