System Shock Remake Nintendo Switch 2 Review

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I first became aware of Nightdive Studios through their work preserving classic PC games, but I’ve spent most of my time with their titles on Nintendo Switch. I really enjoyed how they brought back and updated games I’d either never heard of or had forgotten about, letting me discover fantastic 90s shooters I missed the first time around. That’s how I played System Shock and System Shock 2. I was disappointed that the original System Shock wasn’t available on Switch, as it felt like something was missing from Nightdive’s collection. The developers agreed, and that led to their recent releases last month.

The System Shock remake is now available on both Switch models, but the initial releases had performance issues. I waited to review the game because a promised launch patch was delayed. Now that the patch is out, the remake is significantly improved, though the Switch 2 version still isn’t perfect. This review will focus specifically on the Switch 2 port. For a review of the game itself, you can read Junior’s review of the PS5 version here.

The Switch and Switch 2 versions of the System Shock remake come packed with improvements and features fans asked for, such as motion controls, adjusted health levels, new sound effects, and interactive monitors. It also includes all previous updates and fixes, making it a more polished experience than earlier releases – though it still has some problems.

The Switch 2 version of System Shock remake launched with significant performance problems whether played on a TV or in handheld mode, and some players experienced issues with mouse controls. While the developers aimed for smooth gameplay at up to 1080p resolution handheld and 1440p docked, the game frequently crashed and didn’t run smoothly. A launch day patch was released near the end of last month, which greatly improved performance when played on a TV, but the handheld experience now feels even less stable.

The System Shock remake on the Switch 2 looks good when played on a TV (docked), especially on a 1440p monitor. However, the game’s performance isn’t consistent – the frame rate fluctuates quite a bit. It’s much improved since launch and enjoyable in docked mode if you don’t mind some frame rate dips. A technology called VRR would have smoothed things out, but it’s only available when playing in handheld mode.

Currently, the Switch 2 version of the System Shock remake isn’t performing well in handheld mode. It struggles with loading textures properly, frequently crashes, and the frame rate feels sluggish. I wouldn’t recommend playing it on the Switch 2 in handheld mode until these issues are fixed. It’s especially disappointing considering the game runs smoothly and at a higher frame rate on the Steam Deck.

I was excited when System Shock remake was announced for the Switch 2, hoping it would be the best way to play on consoles thanks to its support for gyro and mouse controls alongside standard controllers. However, the game currently has performance and stability issues that hold it back.

System Shock remake on Switch 2 vs PS5 and PC

As the System Shock remake gets closer to release on Switch and the new Switch 2, I’ve been revisiting the game on both my Steam Deck and PlayStation 5. The PS5 version looked fantastic and consistently maintained a smooth 60 frames per second on my 1440p monitor, with quick loading times. On the Steam Deck, I adjusted the controls slightly for better aiming, but it ran flawlessly, often exceeding 60fps. It’s a significant improvement over the game’s initial launch performance on my original Steam Deck.

The Switch 2 version looks fantastic – the graphics and effects are really well done. However, performance is a problem. Playing in handheld mode is currently very poor, and while docked mode is playable, it doesn’t run as smoothly as I expected. After two updates, I would have preferred the option to limit the frame rate to 30fps to ensure a more stable experience.

The Switch version of the System Shock remake has improved visually, but still has performance issues. I frequently experienced very low frame rates after loading a saved game. Playing on a second Switch helps, though it’s still limited to 30 frames per second. It’s important to know you can’t transfer saves or progress between the two Switch versions, and the original Switch version still has noticeable bugs, like missing textures appearing as black squares or solid black areas in the distance.

System Shock remake Switch 2 gameplay






System Shock remake load times compared across platforms

Before finishing up, let’s talk about how long it takes to load the game. I tested loading times on several different systems: System Shock remake on the Switch 2’s internal storage, the original Switch version on the Switch 2, the original Switch version on my Switch OLED using an SD card, the Steam version on my Steam Deck, the Steam version on the ROG Ally, and the PS5 version on the PS5. As you’ll see below, the Switch 2 currently takes much longer to load than the PS5 and PC versions, but it loads significantly faster than playing the original Switch version on the original Switch hardware.

Platform Dashboard to title Loading a save
Switch 2 20 11
Switch 1 on Switch 2 21 10
Switch 1 39-41 32
PS5 13 3
Steam Deck 18 4
ROG Ally 15 3

Note: All the load times above are in seconds.

Currently, I wouldn’t recommend playing the System Shock remake on the Switch 2 in handheld mode. Playing it while docked is improved, but still isn’t perfectly stable. If you have a PS5 or Steam Deck, those are much better options. I’m hoping the Switch 2 version gets better before the physical copy comes out, as I was really looking forward to owning it, but I’m not sure I’ll buy it if it’s still this buggy.

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We tested System Shock Remake on the Nintendo Switch 2. It’s also playable on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox, other Switch consoles, and PC.

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2026-01-12 19:27