Assassin’s Creed Shadows Nintendo Switch 2 Review

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After a lot of anticipation from ratings leaks and rumors, Assassin’s Creed Shadows was recently released on the Switch 2. Considering how well Ubisoft handled the Switch 2 version of Star Wars Outlaws, I had high hopes for this port. While it’s a good port overall, it didn’t quite meet my expectations. The game initially had stability issues and crashed frequently. Ubisoft has since released a major update to fix these problems, so I waited to write my review until after installing it (Title Update 1.1.7). In this review, I’ll also compare the Switch 2 version to the Steam and PS5 versions, which I tested on my Steam Deck and standard PS5. If you’re interested in our original review of the game on PC, you can find it here.

I initially experienced Assassin’s Creed Shadows on a console earlier this year, and unlike my usual habit, didn’t play it on my PC handheld devices. Now, with the new Nintendo Switch 2 version launching – which includes many updates and features exclusive to the Switch 2 – I’m reviewing the port and also testing how well the game performs on the Steam Deck. As a ‘Verified’ game, it has been specially optimized for that platform.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers three graphics modes – Quality, Balanced, and Performance – to adjust how the game runs on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Balanced mode aims for 40 frames per second on 120Hz displays, while Quality prioritizes visuals at 30fps and Performance focuses on a smooth 60fps. The main differences between these modes are the resolution and visual effects. Quality mode provides the best graphics, including realistic lighting and detailed hair, using ray tracing. Balanced mode maintains these effects but lowers the resolution. Performance mode prioritizes speed by further reducing resolution and turning off the advanced lighting and hair effects.

I haven’t been able to test Assassin’s Creed Shadows on a PS5 Pro or Xbox Series S. However, I’ve played it since its release on a standard PS5 and Xbox Series X. Based on that experience, the Switch 2 version – both when played on a TV and in handheld mode – seems to perform similarly to the performance mode on the PS5 and Xbox Series X, but with some visual adjustments. Specifically, the Switch 2 version has lower resolution, simplified shadows, and less detailed environments and textures.

What really sets Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the Switch 2 apart isn’t just that it’s a great handheld experience, but that it’s a full, current-generation Assassin’s Creed game available on the system so soon after its initial release. Remarkably, it includes all the gameplay features and maintains most of the original’s visual style. The last time we saw a mainline Assassin’s Creed game on a Nintendo console was a limited cloud version of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Plus, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a particularly strong entry in the series’ modern RPG style, and I’ll be detailing how it performs on the Switch 2 compared to the PS5 and Steam Deck versions below.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Nintendo Switch 2 features

Assassin’s Creed Shadows offers a great experience on the go, and Ubisoft has added some nice touches for the Switch 2, including enhanced rumble and touchscreen menus (plus support for managing your hideout). While the rumble isn’t quite as advanced as on a PlayStation DualSense controller, and it’s not exclusive to the Switch, the ability to continue your progress across platforms with Ubisoft Connect makes the Switch 2 version a worthwhile option – especially if you already play on consoles like PlayStation 5 or PC. If you own the ‘Claws of Awaji’ expansion on other platforms, don’t worry – it won’t interfere with your Switch 2 save, though you’ll get a message noting some content isn’t available. My save file loaded without any issues.

As someone who primarily plays on the go, I wanted to share a quick note about Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the Switch 2. The game requires you to sign in with a Ubisoft account when you start it up. I tried starting a new game on a profile without a linked account, and the only way to bypass the sign-in was to launch the game offline. If you already have a Ubisoft account linked, you can still play offline, but it’s worth knowing about this requirement for the first time you launch the game.

A cool feature in Assassin’s Creed Shadows for the Switch 2 is its ability to sense when the console is connected to a TV or being played handheld. It automatically changes the on-screen interface to best fit how you’re playing, and even lets you know when it does so.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Switch 2 vs PS5

I want to focus on how Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the Switch 2 stacks up against the PS5 and Xbox Series X versions, especially for players who already own the game or are considering buying it on either platform. It appears the Switch 2 version is similar to the performance mode on PS5, meaning it’s visually less detailed than the Quality or Balanced modes. This is understandable given the Switch 2’s hardware. You could think of the Switch 2 version as a middle ground between the current and last-generation versions of the game. If you already have Assassin’s Creed Shadows elsewhere, I’d recommend the Switch 2 version only if you plan to play it mostly in handheld mode.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows Switch 2 vs Steam Deck for the best portable experience

When Star Wars Outlaws came out, it wasn’t really playable on handheld PCs like the Steam Deck or even my ROG Ally without significant compromises. Because of that, I wouldn’t recommend those devices for a good on-the-go experience with that game. However, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is different – Ubisoft made sure it ran well on less powerful hardware and even verified it works on the Steam Deck at launch. If you’re choosing between playing Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the Steam Deck or the upcoming Switch 2, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Okay, so I’ve been playing on both the Steam Deck and the Switch 2, and here’s what I’ve noticed. On the Steam Deck, everything just looks a bit crisper, especially on the device’s screen itself. The Switch 2’s screen seems to rely more on upscaling to make things look good. Now, when I dock the Switch 2 and play on my TV, it actually looks better than the Steam Deck. As for frame rates, the Steam Deck handles its 30fps cap a little smoother overall, but there are moments where the Switch 2 actually runs things better. But if you’ve got a Steam Deck OLED, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is gorgeous on that screen – way better than what the Switch 2 can offer. If you have the original LCD Steam Deck though, I think you’re actually better off playing Shadows on the Switch 2.

On PC, Ubisoft Connect feels more demanding than on consoles. This means the game takes longer to start up and relies more heavily on an internet connection compared to the Switch 2. While the Switch 2 launches much faster than the Steam Deck, the Steam Deck is quicker at loading your saved game and getting you into the action. It’s worth noting that the Switch 2 currently doesn’t support mouse or motion controls. The Steam Deck, however, lets you use the trackpad and even enable motion controls through Steam Input.

Considering everything, I’d choose to play Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the Switch 2 instead of the Steam Deck’s LCD screen right now. However, the Steam Deck OLED and Switch 2 are surprisingly similar in terms of which I’d recommend. The Steam Deck OLED has a clearer picture, especially with HDR and its adjustable sharpness settings. But the Switch 2’s VRR technology significantly improves the handheld gaming experience.

Assassin’s Creed Shadows load times compared across Switch 2, PS5, and Steam Deck

I tested how quickly Assassin’s Creed Shadows loads on three different systems: the Switch 2 (using its internal storage), the PlayStation 5 (using its internal SSD), and the Steam Deck (using its internal SSD). I measured the time it took to go from the system’s home screen to the game’s title screen, and then from loading a saved game to being able to control the character. I pressed buttons to skip cutscenes where possible, but the game includes some unavoidable splash screens. I’ve taken this into account in the results below.

Platform Dashboard to title screen Loading a save
PS5 48 10
Switch 2 53 35
Steam Deck 103 24

Just a quick note for anyone wondering about how long things take to load: all the times I’m mentioning are in seconds. I’ve noticed especially on Steam that the loading can be really slow, and it seems to be because of how Ubisoft Connect works on PC. Other games like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown have the same problem, so it’s not just me!

Switch 2 loads the game fairly quickly at first, even compared to the PS5. However, it takes noticeably longer to load your saved game. Despite this, it’s still a solid performance for the Switch 2, and significantly faster than playing the game on the Steam Deck.

Is Assassin’s Creed Shadows worth playing only on Switch 2

If you’re considering buying Assassin’s Creed Shadows just to play it on the new Switch, it’s definitely worth it for handheld or on-the-go play. However, if you have other consoles or a PC, you probably don’t need to buy it specifically for playing on the TV (docked). The game runs very well in handheld mode, showcasing the Switch 2’s strengths. While it’s good overall, the TV mode could use some improvements to smooth out the gameplay. I also encountered a couple of bugs where the screen went black when switching between handheld and docked modes after the latest update, so hopefully those will be fixed soon.

Overall, my feelings about Assassin’s Creed Shadows remain the same as when I first played it. I still enjoy the game, though its story didn’t quite reach the peak of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, which is my personal favorite of the newer titles. My main issue with Shadows is the way the Animus and Memories are presented through the menu systems. I generally prefer the more RPG-focused Assassin’s Creed games, like those released after Origins, over the originals – something to keep in mind when reading this review.

Overall, Assassin’s Creed Shadows is a worthwhile experience on the Switch 2, especially for handheld play, even with its current issues. If you already own the game on another system, the Switch 2 version is a great way to enjoy it on the go, adding to your home console experience. I’m hoping future updates will improve performance when played on a TV, and I plan to review the game again when the ‘Claws of Awaji’ expansion is released.

7

We tested Assassin’s Creed Shadows on the Nintendo Switch 2. It’s also playable on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and computers.

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2025-12-18 17:59