Nintendo Switch 2 is more powerful than expected says Metal Gear Solid Delta dev
One of the big points of contention heading into the Switch 2's launch was exactly how powerful the console would be, with early reports variously comparing it to a PlayStation 4 and Xbox Series S.
The hybrid console's impressive ports of Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy suggest the console's power is on the higher end of those expectations and in new comments developer Virtuos seems to agree.
According to Eoin O'Grady, technical director at Virtuos subsidiary Black Shamrock, the GPU of the Switch 2 and Xbox Series S are comparable thanks to the former's use of DLSS upscaling, whereas CPU-wise the system is closer to a PlayStation 4.
'GPU-wise, the Switch 2 performs slightly below the Series S; this difference is more noticeable in handheld mode,' O'Grady said in an interview with Wccftech. 'However, the Series S does not support technologies like DLSS, which the Switch 2 does. This makes the GPU capabilities of the two consoles comparable overall.
'CPU-wise, there is a clearer distinction between the two consoles. The Switch 2 is closer to the PlayStation 4 in this respect, having a CPU just a bit more powerful than the PlayStation 4's. Since most games tend to be more GPU-bound than CPU-bound when well optimised, the impact of this difference largely depends on the specific game and its target frame rate.'
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As such, O'Grady claims any Xbox Series S games targeting 60fps 'should easily port' to the Switch 2, although there might be some caveats if complex physics or animations are at play.
'Any game shipping at 60fps on the Series S should easily port to the Switch 2,' he added. 'Likewise, a 30fps Series S game that's GPU-bound should also port well. Games with complex physics, animations, or other CPU-intensive elements might incur additional challenges in reaching 30 or 60fps or require extra optimisation during porting.' More Trending
Along with ports of everything from Horizon Zero Dawn to Dark Souls, Virtuos has worked as a support studio on several projects, including Marvel's Midnight Suns and Konami's upcoming remake of Metal Gear Solid 3, aka Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. A Switch 2 port for the latter has not yet been announced.
Beyond Mario Kart World, the Switch 2's launch line-up mostly consists of third party titles which were released on last gen hardware. As such, the biggest test for the Switch 2's capabilities moving forward are the games only available on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, such as Star Wars Outlaws or the rumoured port of Stellar Blade.
Even if the Switch 2 is a capable machine, however, early reports suggest third party games aren't selling well on the console so far – but it remains to be seen if this is an anomaly of the launch window.
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The biggest problem with the Nintendo Switch 2 is that it's too big
A reader is happy with the games on the Switch 2 but wishes that it, and other modern portables like the PlayStation Portal, were a bit smaller. The first console I ever got was the Game Boy Color, in about 1998. Even then it was obvious to me that it was old tech, but the games were great, so it didn't matter and there started a life of loving video games. I like to think I'm not too biased in terms of companies and formats, but I have to admit I have a soft spot for Nintendo and portables so, as you can imagine, I've loved the Switch and immediately got a Switch 2. I've not played a lot of Donkey Kong Bananza so far, but I like what I have played and Mario Kart World is great. I certainly wouldn't have complained if there were more game announcements at this point, but I think, knowing games take longer nowadays, it's a good launch. I also don't regret getting the Switch 2 but I do have a big problem with it, and it's something I knew was going to be an issue before I got it: it's too big. The Switch 2 has a 7.9 inch screen and is 27.2 cm × 11.6 cm. That is, in short, massive. The smallest portable I own is the Game Boy Micro, which is 10.1 cm by 5 cm. That's one extreme to another but even the clunky big original DS was only 14.9 cm x 8.5 cm when it was closed. These are actual portable consoles that you can put in your pocket and carry around with you. There is no way that I can comfortably put a Switch 2 in the pocket of any coat or trousers I own. I tried to talk my girlfriend into putting it in her handbag, but it didn't fit. Especially as you have to put it in its own carry case first or risk getting it bashed up and scratched. I get the Switch 2 is very powerful and the screen is huge and all that. It's definitely a decision, not a mistake, but I don't like it. I especially don't like it because it's part of the modern trend where all portables are not actually portable. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. I've got a PlayStation 5 and a PlayStation Portal, and while the Portal is useful its size is really awkward, even though you only use it in the house. I don't own a PC portable or an Xbox but that Xbox Ally looks massive and clunky too. I think we've really lost sight of the benefits of what a portable console should be. The ability to, you know… port it around to you. If I want to take the Switch 2 with me anywhere I basically have to take a bag with me, whether I was going to or not. It's bigger than the Switch 1 but not by that much, so this isn't a new problem, but I would like to see a proper alternative. The Switch Lite was smaller but it was still pretty massive compared to any previous handheld console. And now we hear rumours that the PlayStation 6 and next gen Xbox are going to be portables, or have portable versions? I'm going to take a wild guess and imagine they're going to be the size of a house too. Because if there's one thing the PlayStation 5 has taught me, it's that Sony does not value the idea of making consoles a convenient size. I'm not angry and I'm not going to start a petition, but I do think it's a shame and I wish things like the Switch Lite offered a real alternative in terms of the size, because it really makes a different to how, and how often, you use them. Since I don't expect any change with the inevitable Switch 2 Lite, what I will ask for instead is some kind of mini-console portable from Nintendo. Something that can play games from all their pre-Switch portable consoles, that has the same design as the 3DS but is as small as they can make it. More Trending I think a lot of people would be interested in that, not just weirdos like me, and it might even help people to appreciate the idea of a handheld that can actually fit in the palm of your hand. By reader Gorby The reader's features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro. You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@ or use our Submit Stuff page and you won't need to send an email. MORE: Donkey Kong Bananza is Nintendo and gaming at its best - Reader's Feature MORE: The best thing the PS6 can do is be less powerful than PS5 – Reader's Feature MORE: The standards for video game reviews need to be higher - Reader's Feature
