Cyberpunk 2077 on Nintendo Switch 2 makes no sense in the best way

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In a surprising turn of events following the success of The Witcher 3, CD Projekt Red’s launch of Cyberpunk 2077 was quite unusual in video gaming history, as it shifted from critical acclaim to a notable misstep in their adaptation of Mike Pondsmith’s Cyberpunk universe.

Initially, Cyberpunk 2077 struggled significantly on older gaming platforms, including PlayStation 4 where it was even temporarily removed from sale due to poor performance. Despite running more smoothly on PC, certain features were either absent or poorly executed. CD Projekt Red acknowledged these issues and pledged to fix bugs and crashes, a promise they eventually kept. In the years since its release, I believe CDPR has significantly improved Cyberpunk 2077 to the point where it is now considered one of the best games released in the last fifteen years.

I must admit, when I heard whispers about Cyberpunk 2077 gracing the Nintendo Switch 2 as a launch title, my jaw dropped a tad. Could they seriously be planning this? The upcoming Switch 2 would undeniably be more robust than its predecessor, but this idea seemed like a distant, unrealistic dream, destined for disappointment, didn’t it?

What a difference a dock makes

As a dedicated fan, let me say this: The technological prowess of Cyberpunk 2077 on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 is nothing short of amazing. The game’s installation size, clocking in at a manageable 59.4 GB, is an impressive 11 GB less than its PC counterpart, offering significant storage savings.

Moreover, this version boasts two frame rate modes. CDPR themselves state that in Performance mode, the game aims for up to 40 frames per second at a resolution of 1080p when played on TV and up to 40 FPS at 720p in handheld mode. On the other hand, Quality mode maintains a consistent 30 FPS at 1080p resolution, whether you’re playing on TV or handheld.

What makes things intriguing is how the game and handheld device work together to achieve resolutions that aren’t native 1080p. To reach this resolution, the game produces a lower-resolution image and then uses DLSS technology to enlarge it to 1080p. Whether or not this matters to you depends on your personal preferences, but I want to be upfront and say that I don’t compare the graphics of games played on my handheld devices to those on my PC or other consoles.

In essence, I’d say Cyberpunk 2077 on the hypothetical Switch 2 is visually striking, generally speaking. It boasts a pleasing aesthetic and performs smoothly for the most part. However, performance issues can arise when venturing into Dog Town while playing the Phantom Liberty DLC. Given that this DLC wasn’t even released on PS4 and Xbox One due to poor performance, its presence here is indeed remarkable.

During my gameplay, I encountered a couple of unusual visual phenomena, particularly when multiple light sources interacted in dimly lit areas, like the one shown in Jackie’s image above. For example, you might see an uncommon layering effect where his shadow, cast by the light source on his right, interacts with the front-facing red light, giving an odd appearance. These issues weren’t critical or exclusive to Switch 2, but they appeared frequently enough for me to take notice during my gameplay sessions. However, I should clarify that such occurrences were infrequent overall.

Bring the past with you

In Night City, your reputation precedes you, even to the anticipated Switch 2. Just as I usually do when starting a game, I spent time with Jackie Welles before diving into the main storyline. If someone skips the initial segment, they’re not truly a gaming companion of mine. I then navigated the city streets, completed a mission, and mourned my fallen comrade, followed by some cross-save maneuvers.

The Switch 2’s cloud save feature is fantastic, albeit somewhat restrictive. Once linked with your CD Projekt Red account, you can seamlessly continue your game from your most recent save, pulled directly from the cloud. This has significantly enhanced my gaming experience, allowing me to switch between my couch-bound exploration sessions and focused PC playthroughs with ease. When I’m in a laid-back mood, I enjoy the convenience of playing on my Switch, while when I’m ready for some serious challenges, I move over to my PC.

It’s uncertain if numerous games will incorporate this system in their Switch 2 editions, but it certainly appears advantageous. No one enjoys discarding past saves simply due to switching platforms.

I’ve got control issues

One intriguing aspect of Cyberpunk 2077 on Nintendo’s latest console lies in its exploitation of the control systems. The gyroscopic aiming adds an engaging twist for those who enjoy it, and I appreciate the availability of this option even if it doesn’t particularly appeal to me. Motion controls, though, truly make the Switch 2 stand out. The excitement comes from reloading weapons or healing with a simple wrist flick. Engaging in hand-to-hand combat and being able to throw punches literally by tossing them is an exhilarating experience.

Reminds me of the enjoyable experience of Wii Sports, where the control system was exceptional because it felt so instinctive and logical as you used it. CDPR has hit a similar note here; whether you’re reloading a magazine, healing yourself, or giving someone a hard slap, it all feels fantastic and surprisingly intuitive once you grasp the various maneuvers required.

Not only that, but you can also connect a mouse and keyboard to the USB ports on your dock for gameplay. No setup is required, as it works instantly upon connection. However, I found some sensitivity issues that needed adjustments to provide a comfortable and playable experience. Whether this is a deliberately supported control option or a leftover feature from development, it’s quite intriguing either way.

It could have been daring to introduce Cyberpunk 2077 on Nintendo Switch 2, potentially stirring up memories from the past and undoubtedly creating fresh challenges, yet the outcome demonstrates the capabilities of the Switch 2 remarkably well. Does it offer the same high-definition graphics as current-gen consoles or a moderately priced PC? No, but that’s not its intention.

If you aim for a device that’s compact and portable, you’ll need to accept trade-offs in power consumption and heat management. However, visually speaking, this game looks fantastic on its own. Interestingly, it sets a high standard for future developers on Switch 2 games, and I’m eager to see who takes up the challenge.

Shacknews purchased a copy of Cyberpunk 2077 on Nintendo Switch 2 for this Impressions article.

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2025-07-09 01:28