Switch 2 runs „like a mid-tier PC” according to third-party developers

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As an ardent fan, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the thoughts of third-party developers regarding the potential release of their games on the Switch 2. For some, the development process has been underway for months before the unveiling of Nintendo’s latest console. The burning question on everyone’s mind ahead of this launch is how it will stack up against existing consoles, and perhaps even more critically, how it will hold its ground in a market where Nintendo is no longer the sole provider of handheld gaming devices.

Switch 2 runs “like a mid-tier PC” according to third-party developers

Stephen Totilo, known as the writer behind the well-regarded site Game File, got to test the Nintendo Switch 2 on the day of the Nintendo Direct. He had discussions with three crucial third-party developers who were highlighted in the presentation. One of these conversations was with the developers of Civilization VII, a game that was released on the original Switch and other platforms more recently. Given the rumored mouse functionality of Nintendo Switch 2’s Joy-Cons, this game sparked curiosity. Inquiring about the process of adapting Civ VII for the Switch 2, Dennis Shirk, executive producer for the Civilization franchise, replied: “We were able to make it perform like a mid-tier PC, thanks to its sufficient power.

This fantastic news is for Nintendo enthusiasts eagerly waiting for a more potent sequel console, as they’ve longed for a broader range of top-tier games in the Nintendo Switch library due to its limited processing power. For some time, the Switch struggled to incorporate major AAA games at launch because it lacked the necessary computing power. As time passed, many games eventually made the transition, but it often came with some cost. For instance, Totilo spoke with the team behind 2023’s blockbuster game Hogwarts Legacy. The game was released six months later on the original Switch, and certain concessions were required. Rob Nelson, Avalanche Software’s head of technology, mentioned this during their conversation with Totilo: “In Hogsmeade, we had to load before,” which means that on the first version of the Switch, Hogwarts Legacy could not offer the same freely explorable world as it can on the upcoming Switch 2.

In summary, Totilo additionally revealed a snippet of his chat with Greg Kasavin, the co-founder of Supergiant Games, who is working on Hades 2, set to release on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. A significant point here is the parallel drawn between the Steam Deck, which could be seen as Nintendo’s strongest rival in handheld gaming, and Kasavin stated to Game File, “Our game runs at a constant 60 frames per second on both of these devices“. Thus, at least for Hades 2, the performance on the Nintendo Switch 2 will be comparable to that on the Steam Deck.

For the Nintendo Switch 2 enthusiasts who have been voicing concerns about game prices, here’s some positive news: The final price of the new console is still undecided for American consumers. After revealing a price point of $449.99 in their recent Direct, Nintendo has postponed pre-orders in the U.S. due to tariffs, suggesting that American buyers might end up paying a higher price for the new console within the coming week.

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2025-04-07 23:32