Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on Nintendo Switch 2 Experience
An in-depth review of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition running on Nintendo Switch 2, exploring performance, cross-platform features, and the console's unique capabilities with this demanding AAA title.
As a launch title for the Nintendo Switch 2 (NS2), Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition serves as a benchmark for testing the console’s limits. Known for its demanding performance requirements on PC and consoles, the original 2020 release faced optimization challenges. Years later, with the NS2’s hardware trailing behind PS5 and Xbox Series X, we were eager to see how this ambitious port, including the Phantom Liberty expansion, performs on Nintendo’s new hybrid device. Using a review code provided by CD Projekt Red (CDPR), we downloaded the full game in about an hour and dove in. Here’s our take.
Performance on NS2
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on NS2 offers two display modes:
- Handheld Mode:
- Performance: 720p at 40 FPS
- Quality: 1080p at 30 FPS
- Docked Mode:
- Performance: 1080p at 40 FPS
- Quality: 1080p at 30 FPS
Note: Performance mode in docked setup requires a display supporting a high refresh rate (120Hz/HFR).
The NS2’s enhanced hardware delivers surprising results. In Dogtown, a neon-drenched hub from Phantom Liberty, the handheld mode shines at night, rendering vivid, layered visuals that capture the area’s chaotic mix of oppressive order and raw violence. Strolling through Night City’s bustling center highlights the benefits of CDPR’s optimization efforts, bolstered by close collaboration with Nintendo. As the first NS2 title to support DLSS, the game’s visuals and performance are notably polished.
While the NS2 is heavier than its predecessor, it’s lighter and slimmer than most Windows-based handhelds, offering comfortable grip for extended play without significant fatigue.
That said, performance mode in handheld struggles in crowded scenes, like the busy street markets below V’s “Mega Building H10” apartment—a frequent showcase in demos. Frame rates occasionally dip below 40 FPS in these high-traffic areas. However, intense scenarios like fast-paced combat or high-speed chases through Night City remain smooth, with frame drops limited to extreme conditions.
Loading times are reasonable: roughly 25 seconds from the main menu to a save file and 20 seconds for in-game save loads.
Cross-Platform Features and NS2 Exclusives
CDPR’s commitment to cross-platform save syncing shines here. After enabling cloud saves in the settings, we seamlessly loaded a PS5 save from the start of Phantom Liberty and a 100% platinum trophy save, both running flawlessly. However, PC saves with mods may encounter compatibility issues.
As a flagship NS2 launch title, Cyberpunk 2077 integrates features tailored to the console’s unique capabilities:
- Mouse Mode: Detach the new Joy-Con, and the right Joy-Con doubles as a mouse for camera control, with detailed sensitivity settings. You can also plug a USB keyboard and mouse into the dock for a PC-like experience, though actions like crouching aren’t fully supported, making it more of a novelty.
- Motion Controls: Dual-wielding Joy-Cons enables gesture-based combat actions, unlocked after completing in-game training.
- Touchscreen Support: In handheld mode, tap, swipe, or pinch to navigate menus like inventory or perks, streamlining the experience.
- Gyro Aiming: A familiar feature for Nintendo fans, gyro controls offer precise aiming with customizable sensitivity, dead zones, and usage scenarios.
One quirk: when mouse mode is active with detached Joy-Cons, the right analog stick becomes unresponsive. You must disable mouse mode in settings to revert to standard dual Joy-Con controls, unlike the seamless adaptability seen in games like Metroid Prime 4. This may be a deliberate design to prevent accidental inputs.
Note: The multilingual voice pack, including Chinese dubbing, is a separate eShop DLC download.
A Truly Cyberpunk Experience
When Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition was announced for NS2, game director Adam Badowski called it “the most cyberpunk way to play.” This rings true. The game’s array of control options—mouse mode, motion controls, gyro aiming—creates a distinct experience compared to other platforms. CDPR didn’t settle for a bare-bones port; they crafted a version that feels fresh and innovative.
As a leader in physical media, CDPR delivers a full 64GB cartridge for Cyberpunk 2077, unlike other NS2 third-party titles (e.g., Rune Factory: Dragon’s Land, which requires a full download despite a physical release). This commitment to quality is commendable.
For players without a high-end PC or current-gen console, or those who want to roam Night City on the go, the NS2 version is a compelling choice. The main caveat is the console’s battery life, which struggles under the game’s high-performance demands.
Why This Matters for NS2’s Future
The significance of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on NS2 extends beyond its own merits. If a resource-intensive AAA title like this can run admirably on the platform, it signals that most modern games could feasibly launch on NS2 with decent performance—provided developers are willing to invest in optimization. This bodes well for the console’s future as a home for ambitious ports.