The Cyberpunk Challenge: A Game-Changer for the Switch 2?

Cyberpunk 2077 isn’t just another game; it’s a monumental gaming achievement, often compared to the legendary Crysis—an ultimate benchmark title that's pushed even the mightiest gaming PCs to their limits. But the question burning on everyone’s mind is: how does it perform on Nintendo's new Switch 2?

We’ve been eagerly awaiting this title's arrival on the Switch 2, and after glimpses in Nintendo’s recent Direct presentation, we finally got hands-on experience with an early version. Although this build is already two months old, the excitement it generates is palpable.

Peeking Behind the Curtain: What We Discovered at the Event

Contrary to some reports circulating, this game version has been in development for quite some time, far exceeding the seven-week timeline mentioned. However, what we experienced is a captivating look at how the game is shaping up ahead of its simultaneous release with the Switch 2.

Mixed Reviews: Is Switch 2 Up to the Task?

Feedback from earlier demos in cities like New York and Paris has been a mixed bag—some players were blown away, while others had reservations. This skepticism largely stems from performance issues within the current build, leading many to question whether Cyberpunk 2077 is simply too ambitious for the newest Nintendo console.

Performance Modes: Pushing the Switch 2 to Its Limits

Playing on both handheld and docked modes, I tested performance and quality settings. The quality mode targets a resolution of 1080p at 30fps, while performance mode aims for 1080p at 40fps when docked and 720p at 40fps handheld. However, it’s worth noting that these are not native resolutions—we're seeing dynamic resolution scaling in action.

Dynamic adjustments seem to suggest a minimum of 540p for handheld and resolutions ranging from 720p to 1080p when docked. Although Nintendo Direct advertised HDR10 support, the visuals during gameplay—specifically the neon lights of Night City—looked stunning on the Switch 2.

A System Under Pressure: Performance Challenges Unveiled

Let’s delve into performance specifics: the Switch 2 GPU shows capabilities resembling that of a PS4 when docked, an interesting comparison given that last-gen consoles struggled with this game. However, CD Projekt RED's decision to showcase the Phantom Liberty expansion—a visually demanding part of the game—could highlight potential limitations.

While navigating the open-world area of Dogtown, I encountered noticeable frame rate drops and stutters during intense battles, reminiscent of issues on older consoles. Even handheld play exhibited similar struggles, revealing the potential hurdles that developers face as they optimize.

The Hope for Optimization: Is DLSS the Answer?

A burning question remains: will Cyberpunk 2077 utilize Nvidia's deep learning super sampling (DLSS)? Unfortunately, we didn’t get confirmations on that front from the on-site representatives. My own comparative tests with a downclocked RTX 2050—which simulates the Switch 2’s capabilities—point to the complexity of implementing DLSS effectively.

While the potential benefit of DLSS for performance improvements is clear, the computational costs associated with it could hinder performance in ported games like Cyberpunk 2077, especially in mobile mode.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Cyberpunk 2077 on Switch 2?

Although the current build of Cyberpunk 2077 for Switch 2 isn’t polished, there's an undeniable buzz about what’s to come. With pressing challenges ahead, including optimizing streaming and environmental art for a consistent experience, how CDPR navigates these hurdles will be crucial as we approach launch.

Ultimately, Cyberpunk 2077 stands as a litmus test for the Switch 2's capabilities. Despite some performance hiccups, it’s still visually impressive, and excitement mounts as we anticipate how the final product will play out. Buckle up, gamers—this ride is just beginning!