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It's hard to believe, but we're approaching the Nintendo Switch 2's half-year mark. Once the upcoming Metroid Prime 4 debuts on Dec. 4, we'll be able to give the device a detailed assessment thanks to its strong lineup of exclusive early titles. Blockbuster games like Donkey Kong Bananza will lead that check-in, but it's the company's latest releases, Pokémon Legends: Z-A and recently the Hyrule Warriors sequel, that have allowed the successor conquer a critical examination in its opening six months: the performance test.

Tackling Power Issues

Before Nintendo publicly unveiled the new console, the biggest concern from users regarding the rumored system was regarding performance. When it comes to technology, Nintendo has lagged behind Sony and Microsoft over the last few console generations. That reality began to show in the Switch's final years. The hope was that a Switch 2 would bring more stable framerates, better graphics, and industry-standard features like ultra-high definition. That's precisely what arrived when the system was debuted this summer. At least that's what its technical details suggested, for the most part. To really determine if the new console is an enhancement, we required examples of important releases running on it. We've finally gotten that over the last two weeks, and the prognosis remains healthy.

Pokémon Legends: Z-A as the First Test

The console's first major test came with last month's Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The Pokémon series had some infamous tech struggles on the initial console, with releases including Scarlet and Violet debuting in very poor shape. The system wasn't exactly to blame for those problems; the underlying technology driving the developer's games was aged and getting stretched much further than it could go in the transition to larger environments. The new game would be more of a test for its studio than anything, but there remained much we'd be able to glean from the visual presentation and performance on Switch 2.

While the game's limited detail has sparked discussions about the studio's prowess, it's undeniable that this Pokémon game is nowhere near the technical failure of its earlier title, Arceus. It operates at a consistent 60 fps on the new console, while the Switch version maxes out at 30 frames per second. Objects still appear suddenly, and there are various fuzzy textures if you examine carefully, but you won't encounter anything resembling the situation in Arceus where you initially fly and observe the whole terrain beneath turn into a jagged, polygonal surface. That qualifies to give the system some passing marks, though with reservations since the developer has independent issues that amplify restricted capabilities.

Age of Imprisonment as the More Challenging Tech Test

We now have a more demanding performance examination, though, thanks to Age of Imprisonment, launched earlier this month. The new Zelda spin-off challenges the upgraded system due to its action-oriented style, which has gamers battling a huge number of enemies continuously. The earlier title, the previous Hyrule Warriors, performed poorly on the initial console as the console couldn't keep up with its fast-paced action and numerous on-screen elements. It frequently dropped below its target 30fps and gave the impression that you were breaking the game when being too aggressive.

Thankfully is that it likewise clears the performance examination. Having tested the game through its paces during the past month, playing every single mission it has to offer. Throughout this testing, it's clear that it's been able to deliver a consistent frame rate versus its earlier title, actually hitting its sixty frames goal with better regularity. Performance can dip in the fiercest fights, but I haven't experienced any situation where it becomes a slideshow as the performance struggles. Part of that may result from the fact that its short levels are careful not to put overwhelming hordes on the display simultaneously.

Notable Limitations and Overall Assessment

There are still compromises that you're probably expecting. Most notably, splitscreen co-op experiences a noticeable decrease closer to the 30 fps range. It's also the first Switch 2 first-party game where there's a clear a noticeable variation between older OLED technology and the new LCD display, with particularly during cinematics appearing less vibrant.

But for the most part, Age of Imprisonment is a night and day difference versus its predecessor, similar to the Pokémon game is to Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Should you require any sign that the upgraded system is fulfilling its performance claims, despite some limitations remaining, these titles provide a clear example of the way the new console is significantly improving series that struggled on older technology.