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It's hard to believe, however we're approaching the Nintendo Switch 2's six-month milestone. By the time Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launches on December 4, we can provide the device a detailed evaluation due to its solid selection of exclusive launch window games. Blockbuster games like Donkey Kong Bananza will dominate that analysis, however it's two newest Nintendo titles, the Pokémon Legends installment and currently Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, that have helped the Switch 2 conquer a crucial test in its first six months: the tech exam.

Tackling Power Concerns

Prior to Nintendo formally revealed the new console, the primary worry from players regarding the rumored system was concerning hardware. Regarding components, Nintendo has lagged behind Sony and Microsoft in recent cycles. That reality was evident in the original Switch's later life. The desire was that a Switch 2 would deliver more stable framerates, smoother textures, and modern capabilities like ultra-high definition. Those are the features included when the system was released in June. That's what its specs indicated, anyway. To accurately assess if the Switch 2 is an upgrade, we required examples of major titles operating on the system. That has now happened over the last two weeks, and the assessment is favorable.

The Pokémon Title as an Early Test

The console's first major test came with October's Pokémon Legends: Z-A. The Pokémon series had notable performance issues on the initial console, with releases including Pokémon Scarlet and Violet launching in very poor shape. The console itself wasn't exactly to blame for that; the underlying technology running the Pokémon titles was aged and being pushed beyond its capabilities in the franchise's move to open-world. Legends: Z-A would be a bigger examination for its studio than any other factor, but there was still a lot 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 initiated conversations about the developer's skills, it's clear that the latest installment is nowhere near the technical failure of its preceding game, Pokémon Legends: Arceus. It runs at a consistent 60 fps on the upgraded system, while the Switch version maxes out at 30 frames per second. Objects still appear suddenly, and you may notice many low-resolution elements if you look closely, but you won't experience anything similar to the situation in Arceus where you begin airborne travel and watch the whole terrain beneath turn into a jagged, polygonal surface. That qualifies to earn the Switch 2 a satisfactory rating, but with caveats considering that the studio has independent issues that worsen basic technology.

The New Zelda Game as the More Demanding Performance Examination

Currently available is a tougher hardware challenge, however, due to Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, launched earlier this month. This Zelda derivative challenges the upgraded system because of its Musou formula, which has users confronting a huge number of enemies constantly. The earlier title, the previous Hyrule Warriors, performed poorly on the original Switch as the system couldn't handle with its fast-paced action and density of things happening. It often fell below its target 30fps and gave the impression that you were pushing too hard when going too hard in battle.

Fortunately is that it likewise clears the hardware challenge. I've been putting the release thoroughly during the past month, completing all missions it has to offer. Throughout this testing, the results show that it achieves a consistent frame rate versus its previous game, actually hitting its sixty frames goal with better regularity. It can still slip up in the most heated of battles, but I haven't experienced any time when the game turns into a choppy presentation as the frame rate suffers. Some of this may result from the situation where its compact stages are designed to avoid overwhelming hordes on screen at once.

Notable Compromises and Final Evaluation

There are still expected limitations. Primarily, cooperative multiplayer experiences a noticeable decrease closer to the 30 fps range. Additionally the first Switch 2 first-party game where I've really noticed a noticeable variation between my old OLED display and the updated LCD screen, with notably in story sequences appearing less vibrant.

But for the most part, the new game is a dramatic improvement over its predecessor, just as the Pokémon game is to Pokémon Legends: Arceus. For those seeking any sign that the upgraded system is meeting its tech promises, despite some limitations still in tow, these titles show clearly of how Nintendo's latest is substantially boosting titles that performed poorly on previous systems.