Topic: Nintendo Switch 2

What screen brightness setting do you guys play on in handheld? I cranked it to the max but I’m worried that will use up too much battery.

@mike3
Near max.

Buy the Genki portable magnetic battery. Comes with built in USB-C cable and 3 adhesive magnetic rings to stick on Switch 2, Switch and whatever other device you want. 3x battery life and still weighs under 700g, the original weight of Steamdeck!

Instantly solves the battery life issue, still docks, and easily fits into a case with compartment (I use an old Satisfye case that's just the right size for NSW2 with a cubby for battery, official charger and mouse attachments.

@JaxonH You know it’s funny and I say this with the caveat of my vision differences from the average stereoscopic gamer but I have really enjoyed the Switch and Switch 2’s performance. I have a wide swath of games so I don’t feel that it can be argued that I am playing games that don’t push the system but I am not feeling a big handicap when playing switch family vs the other systems. Most games that are poorly optimized are also poorly optimized on other systems and while not at the same level something else will stick out if the devs just aren’t good at that sort of thing. Of course I am not frame rate sensitive for the most part (fighting games excluded and that is conditioning not actual perception) but so much of the complaints that a game looks bad or isn’t fluid just aren’t clicking for me. And that is even with games I have double dipped on.

Like Yakuza doesn’t “look as nice on switch” (which I only notice when looking into the distance which I really don’t do by nature) but it feels the same. Like I have literally played yakuza kiwami on ps4,ps5,xbox series x and switch back to back and the fighting feels the same. Kiryu Looks like Kiryu. Yes he is sharper on other platforms but he looks perfectly recognizable to me on all the systems. Not to say devs don’t make bad versions of games but so far for me if I can notice an issue on switch family, I usually notice an issue on series x or ps5. I also wonder if it has something to do with the fact that I game on most systems NES forward so perhaps my brain sorta fuzzes things. So I sorta don’t get all the complaints. Game where you enjoy.

Phew! Finally finished Cyberpunk 2077: Complete Edition on Switch 2 after almost 100 hours. That's the base game + DLC. Finished almost everything, aside from a small smattering of gigs.

Really fantastic port. Especially in handheld mode, where the game looks pretty awesome in quality mode. Performance was impressively stable throughout, even in the more demanding DLC areas. It obviously looks better on other platforms (unreal on a 5090 in 4K, frankly), but... this is good enough. It doesn't feel like a downgrade like The Witcher 3 did. It's a respectable, enjoyable version of the game, and, frankly, between it, Mario Kart, and Donkey Kong, I've been extremely happy with the Switch 2's launch.

Phantom Liberty is up there with the Xenoblade DLCs in terms of all-time great expansions. Definitely competitive with Blood and Wine in terms of quality as well.

@Ralizah
Awesome!

I'm on my second run. I'd never played Cyberpunk before it came out on the Switch 2. I heard it was rough at launch, but the current version of the game is really fun. Immersive, lots of options to build your character, amazing plot and side quests and stuff... I originally bought it just to tide me over until Bananza, but it quickly became my favorite S2 game (except for Guardians of Azuma lol).

@Ralizah @Ryu_Niiyama
That's what I've found. Switch 2 games don't feel like massive downgrades- they look good enough. Even many NSW games look good enough for me (not all, but Crysis 1-3 and RE5 I was just playing via BC and they look terrific as far as Im concerned). Star Wars not only looks good enough, it's downright impressive. Same for Cyberpunk.

As long as the game is optimized to run well without performance issues Switch 2 is more than adequate. I never feel like I wish I was playing on stronger hardware, like I sometimes did on Switch. Hogwarts Legacy looks the same to me as any other version, but has that gyro and mouse aiming and even lets you seamlessly swap between them unlike Cyberpunk.

Ok, so here's a question:

Is there actually a way to roll back a game's version (on S2 or S1, really) to the cartridge version without doing a complete factory reset?

I've tried deleting the game completely from the system, turning off the auto update option, and even going into airplane mode, but somehow the Switch still knows that the game was at a later patch and will require a download before letting me boot the game.

I've read that it can be due to a save file from the later version of the game, but even when I delete any save data on the console, it still seems to know that I had a later version.

Is anyone playing f-zero GX in versus mode online. Or is there versus mode online available

@rallydefault
It's the save files. Gotta delete game, the save and the cloud save. Then start the physical game without updating. Digital it's impossible because it will always download the latest version (though you could only download the base game without DLC holding L from "redownload" list on eShop, but Im not sure if thats still true with Virtual Gamecards now. Someone should find out how to do that with the new system.

@rallydefault
Here's how to not redownload specific DLC under the new VGC system. I know it's not exactly the question you asked, but it is tangent and maybe helpful...

• Make sure your console has the most recent system update.
• Highlight the game for which you want to remove DLC from the HOME Menu and press the + Button.
• Select Manage Software and then Delete Software. This will not delete any Save Data.
• Select Delete to continue.
• Locate the DLC that you do not want to download in Nintendo eShop.
• While on the DLC details page, press the + button or - button 5 times.
• If performed correctly, the message "This product is currently set to not be redownloaded." will replace the message on the right about redownloading by loading the virtual game card.
• Repeat this process for each DLC you do not want to redownload.
• Load the game through the virtual game card menu.

GENERAL POST
Seems Ubisoft is bringing Avatar and Far Cry 7 to Switch, in addition to Assassin's Creed Shadows. And Capcom is bringing not just Resident Evil Requiem but Resident Evil 2 Remake, Resident Evil 3 Remake, Resident Evil 4 Remake, Resident Evil 7 and Resident Evil Village. And with Monster Hunter Stories 3 already announced and Monster Hunter Wilds disappointing sales falling off a cliff, I cant help but wonder if they try to port MH Wilds.

Personally I hope they don't. I really didn't like Monster Hunter Wilds and I say that as a DIEHARD FAN of the series, as anyone here knows full well. I'll take it don't get me wrong, and if they can get performance solid and include some fixes, updates and an expansion Im sure I'll dive in again, but I'd honestly rather see a new MH built ground up for Switch 2 as a sequel to Monster Hunter Rise, a game far superior to Wilds. Heck I'd even take a NSW2 Edition of Rise + Sunbreak over a port of Wilds.

Either way, it seems 3rd party is just warming up on the system and is about to kick into high gear. Add a plethora of new 1st party exclusives to be announced for 2026 and beyond and NSW2 is shaping up to be a console of consoles, THE gaming platform to own.

@JaxonH
That was very helpful, thank you! It’s the darn save files lol

@Azileron
A good example is Assassin's Creed Ezio Collection with the added Embers and Lineage CG movies, taking up nearly 5GB of additional space. Same with Assassin's Creed Rebel Collection which had several GB of unnecessary content besides the games.

Or if you download a Japanese language pack that takes up 0.5-1 GB, like I did for Fire Emblem Warriors, this allows you to save space by not including it.

I'm 100% on board with World. That game rivals Rise for my fave of all time. Knowing gamers, it wouldn't generate hype, and people would complain. Because it's an older entry, but personally, I think it's far superior and definitely the better game. I'd love to see MH World over Wilds. Just know that the console warring populace would complain because it wouldn't provide them with sufficient ammunition.

@JaxonH I'm holding out for a sequel to Wildhearts S - which is unashamedly the best time I've had on Switch2 so far.

I know you're a huge Rise fan, and WH-S definitely emulates the 'immediacy' or arcade-style gameplay. It brings a ton of new mechanics to the table also, and the opportunity to 'build' / craft the karikuri structures is absolutely so much fun (sounds horrible on paper, but works really surprisingly well in practice). Few FPS-drops and performance hiccups occasionally, but nothing any more/less jarring than the frame-drops you'd get from playing Rise on OG Switch1.

@CJD87
You and I seem to share very similar taste in games. Monster Hunter is my favorite series ever, though Fire Emblem and Metroid and Xenoblade and Zelda are up there too.

But Wild Hearts S really is the only game in the genre that's not MH which holds its own. I cant believe more MH fans haven't bought it. Probably cause so many MH "clones" fall flat comparatively. Not to knock God Eater 3 (a fun game in its own right!), Toukiden, Freedom Wars, Soul Sacrifice, etc, but tbh they're all mid compared to almighty Monster Hunter. Wild Hearts, on the other hand, is legit. Not as good as MH but it comes close enough its an easy buy.

And my biggest criticisms previously was the erratic performance and limit to 3p co-op. This version runs far more stable than the initial PS/Xbox/PC release and increases teams to 4p co-op similar to Monster Hunter. But after the $80 fiasco for MK it became trendy to bash NSW2 releases, which continues to this day. No **** the game doesn't have visual parity with a PS5. But it still looks great

And my favorite- "Game XYZ is only 30fps on Switch 2, I'd rather play on PS5" and that comes from Nintendo fan sites and influencers. Like, no **** a 10W hybrid isn't gonna provide full visual parity and 60fps compared to PS5. Can't have your cake and eat it too. Like Borderlands 4.

Now, if it cant hold 30 thats one thing. But if it can, I find it asinine hearing SwitchUp complain in utter disappointment the 10W hybrid can't match PS5 in performance. Its a hybrid. That means compromise. And 30fps is the most common compromise as excessive framerate is 1st on the chopping block to get a competent version running on the platform. I played BL1, BL2, BL TPS and BL3 in 30fps without any issue whatsoever. Especially if it has gyro? I'll take that tradeoff for gyro and hybrid freedom any day.

Or hearing Felix from Nintendolife or John from Good Vibes Gaming say "You should play on any other platform than NSW2 where you can get that 60fps." Like what? I understand some people will value high frame rates above the versatility and freedom of a console + handheld + tabletop + gyro aiming version, but if that's you, then you probably shouldn't have a job where you represent us, the Nintendo gamer.

Give us influencers who actually represent the readership. Give us influencers who actually reflect our values. As it stands, it seems most of the influencers don't represent us- they represent playstation gamers that just happen to enjoy Nintendo exclusives and give **** all about the hybrid advantage or freedom to aim without relying on 2 decade old archaic input methods just so they can circle jerk about higher framerates.

Again, I'm not knocking anyone who has that preference because there's absolutely nothing wrong with valuing performance over the freedom to play anywhere or modern, superior input methods that make right abalog stick aiming feel like dancing with two left feet. But those people should be addressing their audience- the gamers who prefer playstation in and only reluctantly play Nintendo for the exclusives, oft reciting the lame old "you buy Nintendo consoles for the 1st party".

Bull****

Maybe they do. It's 2025, and 155 million Switch gamers exist, many if not most whom value the versatility and freedom of a handheld + console + tabletop version in one, with the ability to aim without relying on a relic of an input method so archaic the game literally has to cheat on your behalf with aim assist and bullet magnetism to make it viable, and even then it's not fun, because the aiming is so rotten and horrible, you have to strafe with the left analog to dial in a shot because the right analog is so insanely inaccurate.

I just want people to represent us who are of the people. I want gamers who actually share our values to assess games. So tired of hearing people say, "it's only 30fps so you should buy it on any other platform." Like. NBA 2K26. A normal regular gamer who just wants to have fun, you can find all sorts of youtube videos where they are loving the game ans say it feels butter smooth. But then people like RGT dump all over it for not being 60 as if the entire experience comes tumbling down and there's no fun to be had just because of a 16ms difference in frame time. Doesn't matter how smooth it feels. As soon as its learned to only be 30 it makes their mind up for them. Instead of judging the product for what it is and how it feels to play, it gets slammed for technical numbers on a piece of paper. It has very little impact on the overall experience.

All 30fps is not created equal. Frame timing, you can have a huge impact on how smooth it feels. Expert use of motion blur can have a huge impact on how smooth it feels. There's a reason most people who played FF7 Remake mistook it for 40fps or 60fps... despite it only being 30fps. Because thirty can actually feel like butter when done right. These people were ooing and awing over it. But as soon as word came out, it was 30 suddenly their opinions changed. Oh now it doesn't feel as great. Oh now you have a problem. Fake *** Nintendo fans is what I call them.

It's one thing if it cant hold 30 or has poor frame timing and feels juddery. In that instance, it's perfectly expected to criticize the performance. But too many of these youtubers has become frame rate elitists that now expect a 10W handheld to push 60 frames for current gen AAA games. Its not a PS5! COMPROMISE HAS TO BE MADE!!! YOU COMPLAIN WHEN THE VISUALS ARE PAIRED BACK.BUT THEN WHEN YOU GET CLOSE VISUAL PARITY, YOU COMPLAIN, IT'S THIRTY FPS! Make up your mind! You can't have your cake and eat it too. If you want peak, performance and visuals, this isn't the platform for you. Go buy a PS5 and start making content for that platform.

But there are so many of us who are perfectly satisfied with the reasonable compromises being made to get these games on the system. If they have to cut the frame rate from 60 to 30 to get it running on a 10W hybrid, fair play!

Borderlands 4 is NOT going to be able to hit 60 frames on a Switch 2. And stop acting like it's necessary to enjoy! Unless you are competing in esports, it's not going to make that much of a difference if any.

I noticed this immediately from the start of the generation- it seems like 90% of reviews end in, "we recommend you play this on any other platform- it's fine if Switch 2 is your only system though". Essentially saying, "if you're a loser who doesn't own other systems, then you can make do with this trash version".

How bout no? How bout, many of us prefer this version? How bout, most of us own other consoles, and we willingly choose NSW2 over them?

It would be like watching PS channels review game after game and say, "ya it has slightly better visuals and frames but, unless this is your only console, you're better off playing on Switch where it pretty much looks the same, still plays smoothly but offers 3x the value with console, handheld and tabletop versions for one purchase, not to mention you get modern aiming, input methods and don't have to suffer through these cavemen-era aiming options." No PS reviewer would ever say that. They'd get ripped to shreds from top to bottom. But we nintendo fans tolerate it constantly.

I say we oust these posers and replace them with gamers who actually represent our values.

Sorry for the rant, but that's just been bothering me for a while. Just so tired of watching reviews for NSW2 games only to be told I should be playing it on my PS5 instead. Kick rocks dirtbag. Ill play Cyberpunk and Hogwarts Legacy and Star Wars and Cronos on Switch 2 thank you very much. Where gyro and mouse aiming actually makes the games fun and Im not glued to a specific couch cushion at a specific house.

Even Fortnite and Apex... the graphics look terrific and their performance is great, but you also get these additional more advanced control schemes that are objectively superior. There's no reason on earth to play those games anywhere else at this point. Unless you already own it elsewhere, and that's where your friends play- that's a legitimate reason to stay where you're at.

@JaxonH Thanks and appreciate the long post there.

IMO there seems to be greater outrage and entitlement than ever, with scathing critique of anything less than ‘locked 60fps’. Some outlets and reviewers will actually kill a game at arrival based on it being key code-in-a-box and non-60fps. I agree that keycard games are not a great concept, but nonetheless I think we all knew when we brought Switch2 that Nintendo would be utilising those new carts and also the performance of cross-platform titles would not be able to compete with PS5 etc

Ultimately the Switch2 is pretty much in line with my expectations - managed to get 8hrs of Wildhearts handheld on a plane using my anker 20000mah powerbank… thrilled to bits

Can’t wait to jump on Outlaws when the inevitable Ubi pants-drop sale lands 👍

Great to see a post that agrees with what I have been feeling. I have been gaming for 40 years and cant remember ever reading in the past “it would be better buying it on..”. I find this tiresome as it is never compares like for like. I presume playstation/xbox reviews don’t always state how high end pc versions will run the game better than these machines. Constructive criticism is great but I find these comments add nothing to reviews. I think also outside of the gaming bubble it’s good to recognise that people don’t have the money for multiple consoles.
Each to their own though I guess-I started gaming with Pong lol so I find my tolerance for differences in frame rates to be pretty high.

@JaxonH I find it odd that people forget that folks have system preferences (or are single system owners). And as such they are aware of the system’s strengths and weaknesses. Just tell me how it runs on the system you are reviewing it for because otherwise you might as well as say “go build a high end PC and play it there”. I hate using hyperbole but it feels like if it isn’t their platform of choice, the game is trash and is unbearable to look at. Even in the pretty heated GCN/xbox/PS2 days, reviewers were more interested in reviewing the game itself. I have enough old magazines lying around to know that isn’t nostalgia talking.

Of course poor optimization or cheaping out on a port studio should be called out, but that often isn’t the system’s fault. What is funny to me is these people (both reviewers and gamers) aren’t often willing to pay what would be required to get a handheld that is on par with the twins (they barely want to buy the twins) but will also be the first to complain if 3rd party support drops. Again that doesn’t mean buy anything and everything, but publishers get the numbers. If they see purchases, they will prioritize porting good versions of their games. And those of us that prefer to game somewhere in particular can do so in peace.

Personally I am loving the 3rd party support. With VF REVO and SF6 on switch I really only need my PC for RTS games (and the sims because I have given up
on house ownership lol).

Got my new mouse peripheral from an actual 3rd party on Amazon. Even reflects the player light to show P1, P2, P3 or P4. Its loose (I prefer a tighter grip where it can't fall out if you tip it upside down), but it comes with a thumb grip on the side for lifting the mouse off the pad so it's actually not a problem!

I have comparisons with my 3D printed one I'll share.

ALSO!
I GOT MY ADAPTERS THAT ALLOW YOU TO ATTATCH NSW1 JOYCON TO NSW2!!! Its a wireless connection obviously but the adapters magnetically snap into the sides of NSW2 and have rails for the joycon.

Ergo > I can use my Mobapad M6 HD in handheld mode, not only solving ergonomics but also providing D-pad (the best I've ever used) and legit HD Rumble. Granted it's not the new fancy HD Rumble 2 and it doesnt wake system because NSW1 joycon cant do that on NSW2, but in handheld mode who cares lol. Button is right there.

Let me share pics, I'll edit shortly.

I can pack it all in this case.

• Switch 2
• NSW1 Rail Adapters
• Mobapad M6 HD Joycon
• Middle Mobapad Grip Slab (to make into a Pro Controller)
• Portable Magnetic Battery + short cable
• AC Adapter for Wall Outlet
• Long USB-C cable for AC Adapter
• Right Joycon 2
• Mouse Rail Attachment for R Joycon 2

Hell yeah that's awesome! I'm planning to just wait for the eventual Mobapad for Switch 2 meanwhile, which will be great For now I got a grip that will be useful for trips since it comes with a face cover

Yo... if playing Hogwarts Legacy with mouse, for example. Holding ZR allows 4 different spells with YBXA. Kinda awkward holding in mouse peripheral though. So you can remap the 4 directional buttons on L Joycon to YBXA and map YBXA to the 4 directional buttons. Except it'll tell you that you MUST have A and B mapped if you change the R Joycon to the directions first, so I mapped A and B to SL and SR, did the same for the L Joycon. Then you can hold ZR in mouse mode and use the 4 directional buttons on the left Joycon for the spells.

There seems to be no limit to the creativity. on offer with button remapping on this system.

Even playing split joycon with gyro, I map dodge to the SL on L Joycon (the upper one which is easy to press with middle finger wrapped around joycon landing right on it), and I map the objective path to the SR on the bottom where the pinky can hit it. That's because I don't use it that much.So it makes more sense to put it on a button that's not quite as convenient to use. But it's still more convenient than having to remove your thumb from the analog to press a directional button.

And on the R Joycon I map jump to the upper SR button and haven't decided on the lower SL for R Joycon. Currently its Gamechat but i'm sure I'll change it to something more useful once I figure out which buttons I tend to use most and dont want to move my thumb to activate.

@CJD87
If you go to gcx.raise theres a bunch of $20 eShop cards for 13% off. So essentially that makes a $70 game just $60. I know that's not a huge sale, but ugh, it might be enough to tip the scales if you're really interested in a game. It's the only way I load up eshop credit. I never pay more than $87-90 for every $100 I load up.

@CJD87 @Waynegray @Ryu_Niiyama
Perhaps we should write an open letter to NintendoLife signed by all of us and the dozens of others who feel the same. Written respectfully of course, carefully articulating why we feel the way we do and humbly requesting they reconsider how such statements come across to their audience. If such a letter was passed around this forum for a few weeks, and then perhaps shared by everyone who signed to get as many of their like minded friends to support it also, we could make a difference by showing we are civil, respectful members of the community and don't take well to our representatives always telling us to play somewhere else just because performance is better on another platform. As someone above put it, you don't see every PushSquare review ending with, "so it's a good version if PS5 is your only platform but if you have a PC like I do, obviously we recommend playing there instead"