🔗 Share this article

It's astonishing, however we're already closing in on the new Switch 2 console's six-month anniversary. By the time the upcoming Metroid Prime 4 releases on the fourth of December, we'll be able to give the system a comprehensive assessment based on its impressive roster of exclusive initial releases. Heavy hitters like Donkey Kong Bananza will lead that check-in, however it's two newest Nintendo titles, Pokémon Legends: Z-A and now Age of Imprisonment, that have helped the new console overcome a critical examination in its initial half-year: the hardware evaluation.

Tackling Hardware Issues

Before Nintendo officially announced the successor system, the main issue from users around the then-theoretical console was about power. In terms of technology, Nintendo trailed competing consoles in recent cycles. That reality began to show in the end of the Switch era. The expectation was that a successor would bring consistent frame rates, better graphics, and modern capabilities like 4K resolution. That's exactly what we got when the console was released in June. Or that's what its specs indicated, at least. To really determine if the Switch 2 is an upgrade, we required examples of some key games operating on the system. We now have that evidence over the last two weeks, and the outlook is positive.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A serving as Initial Test

The console's first major test came with October's Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The franchise had well-known technical problems on the first Switch, with titles such as Scarlet and Violet debuting in downright disastrous states. The system didn't bear all the responsibility for those problems; the underlying technology powering Game Freak's RPGs was old and being pushed beyond its capabilities in the transition to larger environments. Legends: Z-A would be a bigger examination for its developer than anything, but there was still a lot to analyze from the game's visual clarity and its operation on the upgraded hardware.

Although the title's basic graphics has sparked discussions about Game Freak's technical capabilities, it's clear that Legends: Z-A is far from the tech disaster of its preceding game, Arceus. It operates at a consistent 60 fps on the new console, whereas the original console maxes out at 30 frames per second. Objects still appear suddenly, and you may notice various fuzzy textures if you zoom in, but you won't hit anything resembling the situation in Arceus where you initially fly and observe the whole terrain beneath become a rough, low-poly terrain. This is sufficient to give the system a decent grade, but with caveats given that Game Freak has independent issues that worsen restricted capabilities.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment as the More Demanding Hardware Challenge

We now have a more compelling tech test, yet, thanks to the new Hyrule Warriors, released November 6. This Zelda derivative pushes the Switch 2 thanks to its Musou formula, which has users confronting a literal army of monsters at all times. The earlier title, the previous Hyrule Warriors, struggled on the first Switch as the console couldn't keep up with its fast-paced action and density of things happening. It often fell under the intended 30 frames and gave the impression that you were pushing too hard when fighting intensely.

The good news is that it likewise clears the performance examination. I've been putting the game through its paces in recent weeks, experiencing every level available. Throughout this testing, I've found that it achieves a more stable framerate versus its predecessor, reaching its 60 fps mark with better regularity. It sometimes drops in the most heated of battles, but I haven't experienced any moment where the game turns into a stuttering mess as the performance struggles. A portion of this could be because of the reality that its short levels are structured to prevent excessive numbers of foes on screen at once.

Significant Trade-offs and General Assessment

There are still foreseeable trade-offs. Primarily, splitscreen co-op has a noticeable decrease around 30 frames. Additionally the premier exclusive release where it's apparent a noticeable variation between my old OLED display and the current LCD panel, with particularly during cinematics appearing less vibrant.

Overall though, the new game is a complete change over its previous installment, like Pokémon Legends: Z-A is to the earlier Pokémon title. For those seeking any sign that the upgraded system is delivering on its tech promises, even with some caveats still in tow, these titles show clearly of how Nintendo's latest is substantially boosting series that struggled on previous systems.