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It's astonishing, but we're already closing in on the Nintendo Switch 2's half-year mark. By the time Metroid Prime 4: Beyond debuts on Dec. 4, we can provide the console a comprehensive evaluation based on its solid selection of Nintendo-developed early titles. Heavy hitters like the new Donkey Kong game will dominate that check-in, however it's the company's latest releases, Pokémon Legends: Z-A and recently Age of Imprisonment, that have enabled the Switch 2 overcome a key challenge in its initial half-year: the performance test.

Addressing Hardware Worries

Prior to Nintendo officially announced the new console, the main issue from users regarding the rumored system was concerning hardware. Regarding hardware, Nintendo has lagged behind Sony and Microsoft for several generations. That fact began to show in the original Switch's later life. The hope was that a new model would bring consistent frame rates, smoother textures, and modern capabilities like 4K resolution. That's precisely what arrived when the system was released in June. At least that's what its technical details suggested, for the most part. To accurately assess if the upgraded system is an improvement, it was necessary to observe major titles running on it. That has now happened over the last two weeks, and the outlook is positive.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A as an First Examination

The console's first major test was last month's Pokémon Legends: Z-A. Pokémon games had notable performance issues on the original Switch, with games like Pokémon Scarlet and Violet releasing in highly problematic conditions. The system wasn't solely responsible for that; the game engine running the Pokémon titles was old and strained much further than it could go in the franchise's move to open-world. The new game would be more challenging for its creator than any other factor, but there remained much we'd be able to glean from the title's graphics and its operation on the upgraded hardware.

While the game's limited detail has sparked discussions about the studio's prowess, there's no denying that Legends: Z-A is nowhere near the technical failure of its earlier title, the previous Legends game. It performs at a consistent 60 fps on the new console, whereas the original console tops out at thirty frames. Some pop-in occurs, and you'll find many low-resolution elements if you look closely, but you won't experience anything similar to the moment in Arceus where you first take to the skies and observe the complete landscape become a uneven, basic graphics. That qualifies to give the system some passing marks, though with reservations since Game Freak has independent issues that worsen limited hardware.

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment serving as a More Challenging Tech Test

We now have a tougher hardware challenge, yet, because of Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, out Nov. 6. The new Zelda spin-off pushes the Switch 2 thanks to its Musou formula, which has players facing off against a huge number of enemies continuously. The franchise's last installment, the previous Hyrule Warriors, performed poorly on the first Switch as the hardware struggled with its fast-paced action and numerous on-screen elements. It regularly decreased under the intended 30 frames and created the sensation that you were breaking the game when going too hard in battle.

Thankfully is that it likewise clears the performance examination. After playing the game through its paces in recent weeks, playing every single mission included. Throughout this testing, the results show that it achieves a more stable framerate relative to its predecessor, maintaining its sixty frames goal with greater stability. Performance can dip in the most heated of battles, but I haven't experienced any moment where I'm suddenly watching a stuttering mess as the performance struggles. Part of that may result from the fact that its short levels are structured to prevent overwhelming hordes on the battlefield concurrently.

Significant Limitations and Final Verdict

Remaining are expected limitations. Primarily, cooperative multiplayer sees performance taking a substantial reduction around 30 frames. It's also the first Switch 2 first-party game where it's apparent a major difference between previous OLED screens and the current LCD panel, with notably in story sequences appearing less vibrant.

But for the most part, the new game is a dramatic improvement compared to its predecessor, similar to Z-A is to Pokémon Legends: Arceus. For those seeking confirmation that the upgraded system is fulfilling its hardware potential, despite some limitations present, these titles demonstrate effectively of the way the new console is significantly improving series that struggled on previous systems.