Is the Nintendo Switch 2 a Game-Changer for Fighters?

The Nintendo Switch 2 has hit the streets, promising gamers the ultimate portable fighting experience, but there's one burning question: How does it perform in terms of input lag?

The Big Reveal: Latency Tests Unveiled!

Latency specialist Nigel 'Noodalls' Woodall dove into the numbers, performing rigorous tests on Street Fighter 6 and several other titles on the new console, and the results might surprise you!

In handheld mode, Street Fighter 6 clocked in at an average of 71 milliseconds—translating to roughly 4.4 frames of input delay. Docked mode? Practically identical at 72 ms on a 120hz monitor!

How Does Switch 2 Stack Up Against Competitors?

When it comes to performance, the Switch 2 puts itself in the same arena as the PlayStation 4 and 4 Pro versions but lags behind the latest consoles. In comparisons, the PlayStation 5 scored a sleek 57.4 ms, Xbox Series X at 58.3 ms, and even the Xbox Series S and PC averaged under 59 ms.

What’s Holding the Switch 2 Back?

One notable absence seems to be the missing "Input Delay Reduction" feature, which could explain the extra half-frame of lag when matched with the PS4. While not catastrophic, it could influence competitive players' choices.

Tournament Legality: Ready for the Pro Scene!

In a silver lining for competitive gamers, the Switch 2 version of Street Fighter 6 has been deemed tournament legal for the Capcom Pro Tour this year. This might sway some players to consider it for their next competition.

Shocking Latency Improvements on Other Titles!

On a brighter note, Noodalls's tests revealed drastic reductions in latency for some original Switch fighters. For instance, Guilty Gear Strive saw a significant drop from 87.41 ms (5.41 frames) on the Switch to just 49.58 ms (3.09 frames) on the Switch 2!

Similarly, Dragon Ball FighterZ improved from 69.85 ms (4.37 frames) to 51.30 ms (3.2 frames). Now that’s a win!

Mixed Results for Capcom Fighting Collection 2

However, it's worth noting that the Capcom Fighting Collection 2 revealed slightly higher latency on the Switch 2. As is often the case, performance may vary dramatically by title.

No Changes for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate!

In a letdown for Smash fans, testing for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate showed no changes in latency between the two systems.

For more in-depth insights, don't miss Noodalls's full video on his findings related to input lag on the Nintendo Switch 2!