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It's surprising, but we're nearly at the Nintendo Switch 2's half-year mark. By the time Metroid Prime 4: Beyond releases on the fourth of December, we'll be able to give the system a detailed assessment based on its impressive roster of exclusive launch window games. Major titles like the new Donkey Kong game will dominate that review, however it's the company's latest releases, Pokémon Legends: Z-A and currently the Hyrule Warriors sequel, that have enabled the new console conquer a crucial test in its initial half-year: the performance test.

Confronting Power Concerns

Before Nintendo formally revealed the Switch 2, the biggest concern from users around the rumored system was about power. When it comes to technology, Nintendo has lagged behind Sony and Microsoft over the last few console generations. This situation was evident in the end of the Switch era. The expectation was that a Switch 2 would deliver more stable framerates, better graphics, and industry-standard features like ultra-high definition. Those are the features included when the system was launched in June. That's what its hardware specifications promised, anyway. To really determine if the new console is an improvement, we'd need to see some key games running on it. We now have that evidence in recent days, and the assessment is favorable.

The Pokémon Title as an First Examination

The first significant examination came with October's Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The Pokémon series had some infamous tech struggles on the original Switch, with games like the Scarlet and Violet games releasing in downright disastrous states. The system wasn't solely responsible for that; the game engine running Game Freak's RPGs was outdated and strained past its limits in the series' gradual open-world pivot. This installment would be more of a test for its studio than any other factor, but there was still a lot we'd be able to glean from the title's graphics and how it runs on the new system.

While the game's limited detail has opened debates about the studio's prowess, it's undeniable that this Pokémon game is not at all like the technical failure of its preceding game, Arceus. It operates at a stable 60 frames per second on Switch 2, whereas the older hardware reaches only 30 frames per second. Some pop-in occurs, and you may notice plenty of blurry assets if you look closely, but you won't encounter anything like the moment in Arceus where you initially fly and observe the entire ground below turn into a rough, low-poly terrain. This is sufficient to grant the new console a decent grade, but with caveats considering that Game Freak has separate challenges that amplify restricted capabilities.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment as a More Demanding Hardware Challenge

We now have a more demanding performance examination, though, because of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, released November 6. The new Zelda spin-off pushes the Switch 2 thanks to its hack-and-slash gameplay, which has gamers battling a massive horde of creatures constantly. The series' previous game, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, struggled on the initial console as the system couldn't handle with its quick combat and numerous on-screen elements. It often fell below the desired frame rate and produced the feeling that you were breaking the game when fighting intensely.

The good news is that it too succeeds the tech test. I've been putting the release thoroughly in recent weeks, playing every single mission included. During that period, the results show that it manages to provide a more stable framerate relative to its previous game, reaching its 60 frames target with better regularity. It sometimes drops in the most intense combat, but I haven't experienced any moment where the game turns into a slideshow as the performance struggles. Some of this may result from the reality that its compact stages are designed to avoid overwhelming hordes on screen at once.

Important Compromises and Final Verdict

Present are compromises that you're probably expecting. Most notably, shared-screen play experiences a substantial reduction around 30 frames. Additionally the premier exclusive release where I've really noticed a noticeable variation between previous OLED screens and the new LCD display, with notably in story sequences appearing less vibrant.

Overall though, Age of Imprisonment is a night and day difference versus its predecessor, just as Pokémon Legends: Z-A is to the earlier Pokémon title. Should you require evidence that the upgraded system is meeting its tech promises, even with some caveats still in tow, both games provide a clear example of how Nintendo's latest is markedly enhancing titles that performed poorly on older technology.