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It's astonishing, however we're approaching the new Switch 2 console's half-year mark. By the time Metroid Prime 4: Beyond releases on December 4, we can provide the device a detailed evaluation due to its strong lineup of first-party initial releases. Heavy hitters like the new Donkey Kong game will headline that analysis, yet it's the company's latest releases, the Pokémon Legends installment and recently the Hyrule Warriors sequel, that have enabled the new console conquer a key challenge in its initial half-year: the tech exam.

Confronting Performance Concerns

Ahead of Nintendo formally revealed the new console, the main issue from users regarding the rumored system was concerning hardware. When it comes to technology, Nintendo trailed competing consoles in recent cycles. That reality began to show in the Switch's final years. The expectation was that a successor would deliver consistent frame rates, improved visuals, and industry-standard features like 4K. That's exactly what we got when the device was debuted this summer. That's what its specs indicated, for the most part. To accurately assess if the Switch 2 is an upgrade, we'd need to see some key games operating on the system. We've finally gotten that during the past fortnight, and the assessment is favorable.

Legends: Z-A as an First Examination

The console's first major test was the October release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Pokémon games had some infamous tech struggles on the first Switch, with games like Scarlet and Violet debuting in downright disastrous states. Nintendo's hardware didn't bear all the responsibility for those problems; the underlying technology driving the Pokémon titles was old and being pushed much further than it could go in the transition to larger environments. Legends: Z-A would be more challenging for its creator than anything else, but we could still learn to observe from the visual presentation and performance on Switch 2.

Despite the release's limited detail has sparked discussions about the developer's skills, it's clear that the latest installment is far from the technical failure of its earlier title, Arceus. It performs at a smooth 60 frames on Switch 2, but the original console reaches only 30 fps. Pop-in is still present, and you'll find many low-resolution elements if you look closely, but you won't experience anything resembling the situation in Arceus where you first take to the skies and observe the entire ground below turn into a rough, low-poly terrain. This is sufficient to earn the Switch 2 some passing marks, though with reservations given that the studio has separate challenges that worsen limited hardware.

The New Zelda Game as a More Demanding Hardware Challenge

We now have a more compelling tech test, though, because of the new Hyrule Warriors, released November 6. This Zelda derivative pushes the Switch 2 because of its hack-and-slash gameplay, which has users confronting a huge number of enemies at all times. The franchise's last installment, Age of Calamity, had issues on the initial console as the console couldn't keep up with its rapid gameplay and numerous on-screen elements. It regularly decreased below the desired frame rate and gave the impression that you were breaking the game when fighting intensely.

Fortunately is that it also passes the tech test. Having tested the title extensively in recent weeks, playing every single mission it has to offer. In that time, it's clear that it achieves a smoother performance relative to its predecessor, reaching its 60 frames target with more consistency. Performance can dip in the most intense combat, but I've yet to hit any moment where the game turns into a stuttering mess as the framerate chugs. Some of this could be because of the situation where its short levels are careful not to put too many enemies on screen at once.

Significant Limitations and General Evaluation

Present are compromises that you're probably expecting. Most notably, cooperative multiplayer sees performance taking a noticeable decrease around 30 frames. Additionally the first Switch 2 first-party game where it's apparent a significant contrast between older OLED technology and the current LCD panel, with cutscenes especially appearing less vibrant.

But for the most part, Age of Imprisonment is a complete change versus its predecessor, like Pokémon Legends: Z-A is to Arceus. For those seeking any sign that the Switch 2 is delivering on its hardware potential, although with certain reservations still in tow, both games provide a clear example of how the Switch 2 is markedly enhancing franchises that had issues on old hardware.