Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Impressions

Tomorrow, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter becomes available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC (via Steam) globally. This is the first time a game in the series has launched on all these platforms at the same time. I’ve been testing the PS5 and Steam versions for over a week, but just received the Switch version today. Until recently, the only demo available was for the original Switch, so it was unclear how the new Switch 2 version would perform. The eShop listing now confirms it will offer a choice between 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second, or 4K resolution at 30 frames per second.

After playing Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter on the Nintendo Switch 2 for a few hours, I’ve found the information on the eShop isn’t quite right. I’m doing a complete comparison across all platforms, but wanted to share some initial thoughts on the Switch 2 version and how it differs from the original Switch release. These impressions are based on version 1.0.4 of both the Switch 2 and Switch editions. For the PlayStation 5, my comparisons use version 1.04.

Despite what’s listed on the eShop, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter for Nintendo Switch doesn’t offer options to prioritize frame rate or resolution. I tested this by playing the game on different displays (4K, 1440p, and 1080p) and changing the Switch’s output settings. After a few hours of playing, it’s clear that this version looks significantly better than the original Switch release, but the performance isn’t flawless.

The Switch demo of Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter felt great when played on a TV, consistently reaching 60 frames per second. However, the handheld mode wasn’t as smooth due to how the screen syncing and frame rate were handled. The full Switch version aims for 60fps in both docked and handheld modes, but it doesn’t consistently achieve this. There’s noticeable stuttering, even in indoor areas and during cutscenes. As of update 1.0.4, this issue hasn’t been resolved, but I’ll update this information if any future patches improve performance.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter on Nintendo Switch looks great whether you’re playing on your TV or in handheld mode. While the graphics aren’t quite as detailed as on PlayStation 5 or PC, it still looks good. My main hope is that the performance will become more stable soon, as it currently fluctuates in both handheld and docked play.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Switch 2 vs Switch 1 visual and performance differences

The updated Nintendo Switch version of Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter (2nd Edition) offers significant visual improvements over the original Switch release. You’ll notice sharper resolution, richer details in trees and foliage, better shadows, and fewer distant objects appearing blurry or simplified. Load times are also faster overall in the new edition. Interestingly, despite these improvements, the original Switch version actually loads slightly quicker when played on the updated Switch hardware.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Switch vs Switch 2 load times

To compare how quickly games load, I installed Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter (the Switch 2 Edition) on the new Switch 2’s internal storage and the original Switch version on my Switch OLED. If you’re interested in load time comparisons for the demo version, you can find that information here. I tested the same scenarios – starting the game, loading a saved game, and going in and out of buildings. I also skipped any introductory logos by pressing the A button to reach the title screen as quickly as possible.

Device	Dashboard to title	Loading a save	Exiting a building
Switch	8-9	5	6-7
Switch on Switch 2*	5	5	2
Switch 2 Edition	7	4	3-4

Note: All load times above are in seconds. *The Switch on Switch 2 results are from the demo.

I also tested loading the game from different points to see how long it took. Loading into the house is quick, around 5 seconds, but loading into the city takes much longer – up to 15 seconds on the first Switch. The original release on the second Switch takes about 9 seconds for the same city load. The PlayStation 5, however, loads everything almost immediately.

Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Switch 2 vs PS5

Comparing Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter on the Nintendo Switch 2 to the PlayStation 5 reveals that the Switch 2 version has noticeably less detailed shadows, textures, and overall image clarity, especially when it comes to plants and trees. The PS5 version boasts a sharper picture with a consistently smooth 60 frames per second, and can even reach 120fps in a special high frame rate mode – something the Switch 2 currently doesn’t offer. These differences are purely visual; gameplay is the same on both consoles.

I’ll be sharing visual comparisons in my complete article soon. However, unless the performance issues in both docked and handheld mode are fixed in the Switch 2 version, it’s difficult to recommend over the PS5 version. As a long-time Trails fan who originally played on PSP, I hoped for a strong portable experience, but it currently needs either a 30fps cap option or performance improvements to make it an easy recommendation. It’s disappointing, especially considering how well Ys X: Proud Nordics runs on the Switch 2 in both modes. Right now, the only way to consistently get 60fps on the Switch 2 is by playing the original Switch version (without the Upgrade Pack) while docked.

I’ll be sharing a detailed comparison of Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter on PS5, Switch, Switch 2, and PC soon. The game releases worldwide on September 19th for Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC (via Steam). You can find information about all available DLC and game editions here.

2025-09-18 07:57