Cyberpunk 2077 Nintendo Switch 2 Review + Technical Performance Analysis

When Cyberpunk 2077 first launched, few

would have imagined it running smoothly on

a handheld device. Yet, here we are— CD

Projekt Red has pulled off a technical

marvel, bringing Cyberpunk 2077 Ultimate

Edition to the Nintendo Switch 2. And it's

nothing short of astonishing. Cyberpunk

2077 on the Switch 2 even outperforms the

Steam Deck in key areas. Thanks to DLSS

upscaling, the game delivers sharper

textures, improved lighting, and smoother

anti-aliasing. In performance mode, it

runs at 40 FPS, maintaining a stable frame

rate. While Quality Mode prioritizes

visuals at 30 FPS. Even in handheld mode,

the game holds up remarkably well,

proving that the Switch 2's custom NVIDIA

chip is a serious contender in the

handheld gaming space. The gyro aiming and

Joy-Con mouse support add a new layer of

precision to gunplay, making combat feel

more immersive. The motion pattern

controls allow players to reload and use

health items with gestures, though they

take some time getting used to. The

Phantom Liberty expansion is included,

offering a spy thriller storyline that

adds another 20 to 30 hours of gameplay.

You can also use the Joy-Con's new

feature, which is the optical sensor on

the bottom of it, as a makeshift mouse.

This makes it much easier to aim

precisely. Using this mouse-style

combination with the left Joy-Con to move

the character around makes it a lot easier

than using the game controller pad, and

you get kind of like a PC gaming

experience. And despite the game's

demanding open-world structure, CD Projekt

Red has managed to optimize it for the

Switch 2 impressively well for a handheld

console. So for the performance breakdown,

on, we have the frame rate and modes. The

game offers 2 modes. Performance mode runs

at 40 FPS, while Quality mode prioritizes

visuals at 30 FPS. The resolution and

visuals— thanks to DLSS upscaling,

textures are sharper, lighting is more

dynamic— is smoother compared to the Steam

Deck, which is inferior in almost every

single way when it comes to the graphical

fidelity of Cyberpunk 2077. If you want

to play this game on a handheld device,

Switch 2 is definitely the way to go. The

load times— the Steam Deck's SSD gives it

an edge in loading speeds, but the Switch

2's optimizations ensure a smoother

experience. Gyro aiming and motion

controls— the Joy-Con support adds

precision to gunplay, making combat feel

more immersive, something that you won't

really find on the Steam Deck. So how does

it compare to other handhelds? Cyberpunk

2077 on Switch 2 actually outperforms the

Steam Deck in many areas, particularly in

image clarity and stability. The DLSS

implementation makes Night City look more

detailed, whereas the Steam Deck's FSR3

upscaling results in a slightly blurry

experience. So for the final verdict,

while high-speed driving can cause frame

dips into the 20 or 30 FPS range, overall

the game runs surprisingly well. The fact

that Cyberpunk 2077 can even run on a

handheld, let alone look this good, is a

testament to Nintendo's hardware

advancements and CD Projekt Red's

optimization efforts. And when compared to

other consoles, you'll find that the

Switch 2 version is actually better than

many other consoles. So for example, it is

better than the PS4 base version. The

Switch 2 version outperforms original PS4

version release, which suffered from

severe frame rate drops, texture pop-in,

and crashes. Although it is comparable to

the Xbox Series S— surprisingly, the

Switch 2 version matches the Xbox Series S

port in many aspects, sometimes even

better looking due to the DLSS

enhancements. However, not everything is

completely perfect. Cyberpunk 2077 on the

Switch 2 is an impressive technical

achievement, but it does have some

drawbacks. Here are some of the key issues

players have reported: Performance issues:

Frame rate drops: While the game runs at

40 FPS in Performance mode and 30 FPS in

Quality mode, high-speed driving through

Night City can cause frame dips into the

20 or 30 FPS range. Traversal stutters:

Some areas experiencing hitching when

moving quickly, especially in dense

NPC-populated zones. Loading times: The

Switch 2's storage speeds are slower than

an SSD, leading to longer load times

compared to the Steam Deck. Visual

limitations: lower internal resolutions—

the game relies heavily on DLSS upscaling,

meaning the native resolution is lower

than other platforms— and occasional

blurriness— some textures and fine details

like hair and small details can appear

blurry or shimmering in motion.

Unfortunately, there is no 60 FPS mode.

Unlike the Xbox Series S, the Switch 2

version is locked 40 FPS max, which may

disappoint players used to higher frame

rates. Motion controls learning curve: are

quite a difficult thing to grasp. While

gyro aiming and gesture-based inputs are

innovative, they can feel awkward for some

players. But despite these issues,

Cyberpunk 2077 on the Switch 2 remains one

of the most impressive handheld ports of a

AAA open-world RPG. The fact that it runs

at all, let alone this well, is a

testament to CD Projekt Red's optimization

efforts. So you might be wondering, why

would you want to buy this on Switch 2 if

you've already played it on the PC? Well,

if you've already played Cyberpunk 2077 on

the PC, you might wonder if the Nintendo

Switch 2 version is worth picking up.

While the PC version offers higher

graphical fidelity and frame rates, the

Switch 2 port brings some unique

advantages that make it a compelling

purchase. So why would you buy Cyberpunk

2077 on the Switch 2? Number 1,

portability. The biggest reason is

handheld gameplay. Being able to explore

Night City anywhere, whether on the

commute or lounging in bed, is a

game-changer. Gyro and motion controls.

The Switch 2 version introduces gyro

aiming, gesture-based reloading, and

touchscreen hacking, making the gameplay

feel more immersive Optimized performance:

Thanks to DLSS upscaling, the game

maintains sharp visuals and stable frame

rates even on a handheld. Phantom Liberty

is also included. The Ultimate Edition

comes with all updates and expansions,

making it a complete package comparable to

console versions. Surprisingly, the Switch

2 version matches the Xbox Series S in

many aspects. So who should get it?

Players who want a portable Cyberpunk

experience: If you love the game but want

to play it on the go, If you love the game

but want to play it on the go, this is the

best way to do it. Fans of motion

controls: The gyro aiming and touchscreen

features add a fresh layer of

interactivity. Collectors and console

enthusiasts: If you enjoy owning different

versions of games, this is a unique

addition to your collection. So, while the

PC version remains the definitive

experience, the Switch 2 port is an

impressive handheld adaptation that makes

SOMA 2027 more accessible than ever.

If portability and new control features

appeal to you, it's definitely worth

considering. So what is the final verdict?

Cyberpunk 2077's Switch 2 port is a

technical marvel, proving that even the

most demanding open-world RPGs can be

optimized for handheld play. CD Projekt

Red has done an incredible job adapting

the game to Nintendo's upgraded hardware,

making Night City feel alive on a portable

device. So for the final breakdown, we

have performance— I give it an 8.5 out of

10. The visuals— a 9 out of 10. Controls

and features, a solid 9.5 out of 10.

Portability, obviously a 10 out of 10.

And so the overall experience, a 9 out of

10. So why it deserves such a high rating?

The smooth performance, despite some frame

rate dips, the game remarkably runs well

at 40 FPS. So why does it deserve such

a high rating? Smooth performance,

despite some frame rate dips, the game

runs remarkably well at 40 FPS in

Performance mode and 30 FPS in Quality

mode. The enhanced controls, gyro aiming,

motion gestures, and touchscreen hacking

make this version more immersive than

other console editions. The complete

package— Ultimate Edition includes Phantom

Liberty, ensuring players get the full

Cyberpunk experience. And it is a handheld

marvel. The ability to play Cyberpunk 2077

anywhere is a game-changer, making this

one of the best AAA handheld ports ever.