Which is the Best Version of Shuten Order? Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC Compared

The game Shuten Order, developed by EXNOA, Spike Chunsoft, and Tookyo Games, was first released on Switch and Steam a few months ago. Before launch, I tested the Steam version on the Steam Deck (including the OLED model) and ROG Ally, and also played the Switch version on both the original and OLED Switch consoles, using backward compatibility. Recently, a dedicated Shuten Order version for the Nintendo Switch 2 was released, along with an upgrade option for players who already owned the game on the original Switch. A complete bundle is also available for new players.

When it first released on PC, the game was pretty basic, but it ended up looking better than the Switch version because of its character portraits and 2D graphics. In this article, I’ll be discussing how the game plays on handheld devices and sharing tips to significantly improve its appearance and performance on the Steam Deck. Don’t worry, there are no spoilers here – all screenshots are from the first couple of hours of gameplay.

Shuten Order PC port features

Shuten Order works with both controllers and keyboard/mouse, but you can’t customize the button assignments. The game’s display settings allow you to change how it looks – you can play in full screen, windowed mode, or borderless window, select which monitor to use, and turn v-sync on or off. However, you can’t adjust the resolution or frame rate within the game. Shuten Order only supports a 16:9 widescreen display. When v-sync is on, the game will run at the same speed as your monitor’s refresh rate. Turning v-sync off allows for an unlimited frame rate, though some parts of the game appear to be capped at 60 frames per second.

You can play Shuten Order on PC using a mouse or touchscreen, but moving the cursor with a controller’s left analog stick feels slow and unresponsive. This issue happens on both the Switch and Steam versions of the game, and unfortunately, there’s no way to adjust the cursor speed within the game itself. Also, the game currently doesn’t save your progress to Steam Cloud, and hopefully, this feature will be added around the time of launch or shortly after.

Shuten Order Steam Deck impressions

Shuten Order works perfectly on the Steam Deck without any initial setup. I tested it on both the OLED and LCD models, using the latest stable and preview versions of SteamOS with Proton Experimental. The game’s controls work right away, though they can be further customized for a better experience. One minor issue is that some character portraits and menu boxes appear a bit pixelated, especially when zoomed out. However, the game runs smoothly overall, and this visual issue is easily addressed.

Shuten Order Steam Deck recommended settings

I discovered a fix for display issues in the game: forcing it to render at 1080p or 1440p through its settings. Since the game isn’t demanding, this doesn’t significantly affect performance, only battery life. I personally set the game to 1440p on both the Steam Deck OLED’s screen and my external 1440p monitor. I compared this to the original LCD screen running at its default resolution. For the best and most stable experience, I recommend setting the resolution to 1080p or 1440p and limiting the framerate to 60fps using the Steam Deck’s quick access menu. While you can leave the framerate uncapped, it sometimes dips below 90fps during more intense scenes with characters and movement.

I noticed the cursor felt a bit slow. While it’s better than on the Nintendo Switch, the Steam Deck’s touchscreen is still the easiest way to navigate. If you prefer using a cursor, I suggest setting up the trackpad as a mouse through Steam Input. This will give you much faster and more accurate control than using the analog stick. Once you’ve enabled the trackpad as a mouse, adjust the sensitivity to your liking.

With these two changes, Shuten Order feels and looks perfect on Steam Deck.

Shuten Order Nintendo Switch impressions

Shuten Order is a game for the Nintendo Switch, and it can be played on the new Switch 2. However, to get the best experience on Switch 2, you’ll need to purchase an upgrade. Without the upgrade, the game’s existing issues – some of which also appeared in the Switch and PC versions – are more noticeable. Specifically, the game runs at a lower resolution (720p) but is displayed at 1080p on the Switch 2’s handheld screen, relying on upscaling to make it look sharper. Generally, Shuten Order aims for a smooth 60 frames per second on both the Switch OLED and Switch 2, though occasional slowdowns can happen. While not as problematic as in some other games, the biggest issue is that moving the cursor feels slow and unresponsive. It’s also a shame that the game doesn’t support touch controls.

Character portraits and menus that appeared pixelated or the wrong size on the original Switch look even more noticeable on the new Switch when played in handheld mode using older game compatibility. While it’s less of a problem when played on a TV, the game Shuten Order can sometimes look quite rough in handheld mode, especially with character portraits and other 2D graphics. This is particularly frustrating because the game has a distinctive and appealing art style.

Shuten Order Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade impressions

When I first wrote about Shuten Order, I suggested a dedicated Nintendo Switch 2 version could offer better graphics and mouse support. This week, that version arrived, and it definitely delivers! The visuals are noticeably improved, and mouse controls work great when the Switch 2 is docked. If you play on Switch 2, this upgrade is a must-have, though there’s still some room for improvement. While using a controller, the cursor feels a little slow, even on the native Switch 2 version. The mouse controls, however, are smooth and precise. Hopefully, a future update can address the controller responsiveness. Aside from that, I’m very happy with Shuten Order on Switch 2 – the $2.49 upgrade is well worth it.

The new Switch 2 version of the game is a big improvement, especially when it comes to picture clarity and resolution – the 2D graphics look much sharper. While the 3D elements aren’t perfect, they’re still better than on the original Switch. Now, the Switch 2 Edition and the Steam Deck OLED are very close in terms of being the best way to play on the go. Which one is better really comes down to personal preference – do you prioritize precise cursor control, or overall visual quality?

To compare the consoles, I recorded both the original Switch and the new Switch 2 while they were connected to my TV using a capture card. When comparing how they look handheld, I used screenshots from each console and then zoomed in on the images to highlight any differences in sharpness.

Aside from hoping they can improve cursor speed and maybe add touchscreen compatibility, the 3D graphics could benefit from some smoothing to reduce jagged edges. It’s not a major problem now, but fixing this would polish an already excellent update.

Shuten Order ROG Ally impressions

Shuten Order looks good on the ROG Ally, with character portraits displaying correctly, though some menus can appear a little pixelated. Performance is excellent, matching the Steam Deck with 120fps support right away. However, the Ally doesn’t have a trackpad, so you’ll need to use the sometimes slow cursor or the touchscreen to control the game. Otherwise, it runs smoothly without any major issues. If you’re playing on a PC, try lowering the resolution if you notice problems with how portraits or menus look. If it doesn’t match the Switch version I showed, you’re all set!

Shuten Order load times compared — Switch 2, Steam Deck, Switch, and ROG Ally

I wanted to check how long it takes to load the game Shuten Order on different devices, as it’s built with Unity. I installed the game on several platforms: a Switch 2 (with a copy for backwards compatibility), the upgraded Switch 2, a Switch OLED (using an SD card), the Steam Deck LCD, the Steam Deck OLED, and the ROG Ally (all using their internal SSDs). I measured how long it took to start the game and load a saved game, always at the same point in the prologue. The results are shown below.

Platform	Dashboard to title screen	Loading a save
Switch	29-30	6-7
Switch on Switch 2	20-21	4-5
Switch 2 Edition	16-17	3.5
Steam Deck LCD	21	3
Steam Deck OLED	21	2-3
ROG Ally	19	2-3

Note: All load times above are in seconds.

Although loading times aren’t ideal on any system, the Switch 2 version loads games the quickest. When loading saved games, the Switch 2 version is almost as fast as the PC version and noticeably faster than playing on the original Switch. The Steam Deck OLED and ROG Ally are slightly faster, but the difference isn’t significant compared to the Switch 2.

Which is the best version of Shuten Order?

For portable gaming, I think the PC version of Shuten Order, played on either the Steam Deck OLED or the Switch 2 Edition, offers the best experience. If precise cursor control and touch support are important to you, the Steam Deck OLED is the way to go. However, if you prefer a larger screen while playing on the go, the Switch 2 Edition is a better choice. The Steam version lets you fix display issues, use a trackpad or touchscreen for the cursor, and looks fantastic on the Steam Deck OLED’s screen. If you want to play on your TV, the Switch 2 Edition is excellent – it looks great on my 1440p monitor, and you still have the option of portable play.

Shuten Order is now available on Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch and PC (Steam).

2025-11-30 14:28