Star Wars Outlaws on Switch 2 keeps ray-tracing, but has “concerning” performance at the moment

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Ubisoft’s Star Wars Outlaws is unexpectedly leaping to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, transporting its stunning open-world gameplay to the handheld device. Other titles like Assassin’s Creed Shadows have been hinted at but not yet confirmed for the new console, suggesting that Ubisoft could once again be a significant ally in supporting Nintendo’s latest hardware.

Yet, from the brief glimpses of Ubisoft’s Switch 2 launch title, it’s evident that the work-in-progress version of the game is still quite unpolished. Despite the game appearing to fit the bill, performance issues are apparent, with as low as 19 frames-per-second being experienced in demonstrated gameplay sequences.

Star Wars Outlaws Switch 2 performance isn’t great

According to Digital Foundry’s latest podcast episode, footage from the Nintendo Switch 2 version of the upcoming game Star Wars Outlaws suggests that the new handheld might be nearing its limits. This gameplay demonstration, presented at the recent Star Wars Celebrations event in Japan, appears to be a lower-resolution but acceptable port of the next-gen exclusive title developed by Ubisoft.

The latest gameplay clips demonstrate that the game now includes the complete ray-tracing lighting system, and these videos were all captured during handheld play.

In terms of potential issues, the handheld version seems to struggle with a relatively low frame rate during close combat situations. A particular scene featuring Kay Vess battling Stormtroopers in a hallway is reportedly running at 19 frames per second, which results in noticeable choppiness when viewed in the promotional gameplay clips.

Although the Digital Foundry technical team appreciates the endeavor of porting Star Wars Outlaws onto the Nintendo Switch 2, they acknowledge that there are areas that require enhancement prior to its release, which is scheduled for several months from now.

Absolutely, it’s quite a ways off until Star Wars Outlaws hits Nintendo Switch 2, with its launch slated for September 4, 2025. Here’s hoping that by then, the game can significantly boost its performance – perhaps even leveraging DLSS technology similar to Cyberpunk 2077 on the system.

To delve deeper into the buzz surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 and learn about its impact on MicroSD card sales globally, check out our latest articles. Moreover, don’t miss our insights on how developers are praising the console’s performance, likening it to a mid-range PC encased in a compact body.

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2025-04-21 18:10