While it might seem logical, it wasn’t completely expected that Nintendo Switch 1 games would run better on Switch 2, even without any specific updates. According to the latest video analysis by Digital Foundry, it turns out that some games on the Nintendo Switch 1 are performing better on Switch 2, even if they haven’t received special updates.
Since Nintendo Switch 2 wasn’t sent out in advance to review teams around the world, there were no detailed reviews in time for its launch. As a result, there haven’t been many deep dives into its features yet. However, several reports have started to show improvements that come by default when playing Switch 1 games on Switch 2, as highlighted by Digital Foundry in the video below.
Improved Performance Without Updates
Some games on Nintendo Switch 1 that have not received updates specifically for Switch 2 still run better on the new console. For example, games that didn’t get an update from Nintendo but have backward compatibility with Switch 2 have noticeably improved performance. This includes better fluidity, frame-rate, and in some cases, even resolution.
The more powerful hardware of Switch 2 boosts the frame-rate and resolution, especially in games that already had a dynamic system for these settings. This means that games without a fixed frame-rate cap are benefiting the most. These are the titles that were previously unstable due to frame-rate issues but are now performing much better on Switch 2.
Games with Unlocked Frame Rates Perform Best
The biggest improvements are seen in games that didn’t have a locked frame-rate. Titles that didn’t have their frame-rate capped at 30 FPS, for example, used to experience a lot of instability. However, on Switch 2, these games are now able to take advantage of the extra power, leading to significant performance boosts.
Digital Foundry’s video specifically highlights games like Batman: Arkham Knight and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, but other games, like Hyrule Warriors, have also shown improvements as long as they don’t have a fixed frame-rate cap.
